5.7 Hemi Tick: Lifter Failure or Manifold Bolts? Causes, Costs and Fixes

By Auto Part Ocean Editorial · Updated October 13, 2026

What is the Hemi tick? It's a ticking noise from the 5.7L Hemi V8 in Ram 1500s, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Durangos, Chargers and Challengers. It usually comes from one of two things: a broken exhaust manifold bolt, which is fairly cheap to fix, or a failing lifter whose roller has stopped spinning, which can wipe out a camshaft lobe. Replacing the lifters can cost close to $3,000 at a dealer, and up to around $4,500 or more if the cam is damaged. If the damage has spread, a replacement engine may be the better deal.

The 5.7 Hemi has been in millions of Rams and Mopar SUVs since the early 2000s, so the "Hemi tick" is one of the most searched engine noises in America. The trick is working out which kind of tick you have before you spend money.

What causes the 5.7 Hemi tick?

There are two common causes, and they behave differently.

Broken exhaust manifold bolts. The Hemi runs hot, and the bolts holding the exhaust manifolds to the heads can snap, sometimes before 80,000 miles. A small exhaust leak then makes a tick or tap. It's usually loudest on a cold start and fades as the engine warms up and the metal expands.

Lifter failure. The 5.7 uses roller lifters, each with a small roller riding on the camshaft. If the needle bearings inside that roller lose lubrication, the roller can stop spinning and start skidding on the cam lobe. That's the dangerous tick. It usually gets louder as the engine warms up, and if it's ignored, the flat-spotted roller chews up the cam lobe.

Why do Hemi lifters fail?

Nobody has one agreed answer, but these are the usual suspects:

1. Lubrication. The lifters sit at a steep angle, which some mechanics believe makes it harder for oil to reach the roller needle bearings.
2. Oil breakdown and long idling. Chrysler has pointed to oil breaking down as a main cause. It's especially common in police cars and fleet trucks that idle for hours, because idle time adds wear without adding miles.
3. Low oil. Leaks or long change intervals can starve the lifters.
4. MDS (cylinder deactivation). The Ram 1500 got Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System from 2009, which shuts off four cylinders at light load. There's no solid proof it causes lifter failure, but many owners suspect the switching and heat cycles don't help, and lifter failures often show up on the cylinders MDS controls.

Which vehicles have the 5.7 Hemi?

The 5.7L Hemi V8 has been used in a long list of popular models, including:

1. 2003 and newer Ram 1500, and gas Ram 2500 trucks through 2013
2. 2005 and newer Jeep Grand Cherokee
3. 2004 and newer Dodge Durango
4. 2005 and newer Chrysler 300 and 2006 and newer Dodge Charger
5. 2009 and newer Dodge Challenger
6. 2006–2010 Jeep Commander

Most of the lifter complaints we see are on Ram 1500s and Grand Cherokees, simply because there are so many of them.

What are the symptoms of Hemi lifter failure?

• A ticking or tapping noise that gets louder as the engine warms up.
• A tick that follows engine speed and doesn't fade after warm-up.
• A misfire code on one cylinder, often a P0300-series code.
• A check engine light and rough idle.
• Loss of power or poor fuel economy as the cam lobe wears.
• Metal particles in the oil in bad cases.

If the tick is loudest on a cold start and goes away when warm, check the exhaust manifold bolts first. It's a much cheaper fix.

How much does it cost to fix the Hemi tick?

Rough ranges based on 8020 Automotive's guide:

1. Exhaust manifold bolts: usually the cheapest fix of the lot, mainly labor.
2. Replacing all the lifters at a dealer: close to $3,000.
3. Lifters plus a camshaft: add about $1,500 more if the cam is damaged.
4. Overall range for lifter and cam work: about $2,000 to $5,000, depending on damage and whether you do some of the work yourself.

If there's metal throughout the engine, low oil pressure or bearing damage, a replacement engine often makes more sense than a cam and lifter job.

Where are 5.7 Hemi trucks and SUVs most common in the US?

There's no public state-by-state data on Hemi lifter failures, so we won't invent any. But Rams and Grand Cherokees are especially common in some states, and some driving is harder on lifters.

Big Ram and Jeep states

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Louisiana
4. Michigan
5. Ohio
6. Pennsylvania

Long idling, towing and heat

1. Arizona
2. Nevada
3. Florida
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
6. Mississippi

Hours of idling with the AC on in hot states, towing and short trips all wear oil faster than the odometer suggests. If your Ram idles a lot, change the oil by engine hours, not just miles.

Repair the Hemi or replace the engine?

Cam and lifter repair

• What it involves: new lifters, often a new camshaft, gaskets and fresh oil
• Typical cost: about $2,000–5,000
• Best when: the damage is limited to one or two lifters and a cam lobe, with no bearing damage

Used, rebuilt or remanufactured 5.7 Hemi

• What it involves: replacing the whole engine with a tested unit
• Best when: metal throughout the oil, low oil pressure, bearing damage, or very high mileage
• Watch out for: matching the right 5.7 version to your VIN, including MDS or non-MDS and VVT or non-VVT

Auto Part Ocean (www.autopartocean.com) lists 5.7 Hemi engines in used, rebuilt and remanufactured condition for Ram, Jeep and Dodge, and we match every quote to your VIN so the engine fits your exact truck or SUV.

Where can you buy a replacement 5.7 Hemi in the US?

Five common places to start looking:

1. LKQ: A large network of recycled OEM parts with yards across the US, Pick Your Part included. Best for: a big pool of used factory Hemi engines.
2. AutoZone: The biggest auto parts retailer in the country. Best for: oil, filters, gaskets and manifold bolts.
3. RockAuto: An online-only catalog. Best for: pricing lifters, cams and gasket sets.
4. Auto Part Ocean: Engines and transmissions for 60+ makes in three conditions, used, rebuilt and remanufactured, VIN-matched and shipped across the US. Best for: a complete 5.7 Hemi when a cam and lifter job no longer makes sense.
5. FNP Auto Parts: Tested used engines and transmissions for Japanese brands, VIN-matched before sale. Best for: Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan and other Japanese trucks.

If you're also keeping a Tundra or Titan running, FNP Auto Parts (www.fnpautoparts.com) is a good place to look for Japanese truck engines.

How to fix a ticking Hemi the right way

Step 1: Find out which tick you have. Loud on a cold start and fading when warm usually means manifold bolts. Louder when warm usually means lifters.

Step 2: Read the codes and check for misfires on a single cylinder.

Step 3: Check the oil for metal and the oil pressure at idle.

Step 4: Decide repair or replace. Limited cam and lifter damage can be repaired. Metal everywhere or bearing damage usually means a replacement engine.

Step 5: Match the replacement to your VIN, including MDS and VVT versions.

Step 6: Use the right oil and change it on time. Many engine warranties, including ours, ask for proof of professional installation and regular oil changes.

Mistakes Hemi owners make

The expensive one is turning the radio up and ignoring a tick that gets louder when warm. A seized lifter roller can destroy the camshaft and send metal through the whole engine.

Others include stretching oil changes on a truck that idles a lot, replacing lifters without replacing a damaged cam, and buying a used Hemi without knowing whether it's an MDS or VVT version.

Questions to ask before buying a replacement 5.7 Hemi

Does this engine match my VIN, including MDS and VVT? Not all 5.7 Hemis are the same.

What's the mileage, and was it tested? Ask about compression and oil pressure.

Does it include the intake, sensors and accessories? Get the list in writing.

What does the warranty require? Ask about installation, oil type and break-in rules.

Frequently asked questions

What causes the Hemi tick? Usually either broken exhaust manifold bolts, which cause a small exhaust leak, or a failing roller lifter whose roller has stopped spinning on the camshaft. The lifter tick is the more serious one.

Is the Hemi tick dangerous? A manifold bolt tick isn't dangerous, just annoying. A lifter tick is serious, because a seized lifter roller can damage the camshaft and spread metal through the engine.

How much does it cost to fix Hemi lifters? Replacing all the lifters can cost close to $3,000 at a dealer, and about $1,500 more if the camshaft is damaged. Overall, lifter and cam repairs often run about $2,000 to $5,000.

Which years of Ram have Hemi lifter problems? Lifter failures have been reported across many 5.7 Hemi years, especially on Ram 1500s with MDS from 2009 onwards, though there's no official recall for it.

How can I prevent Hemi lifter failure? Change oil on time, more often if your truck idles a lot, use the oil grade in your owner's manual, check the oil level regularly, and get any new tick checked quickly.

The bottom line

Not every Hemi tick is a disaster. A tick that fades when warm is often just manifold bolts. One that gets louder when warm is usually a lifter, and catching it early can save the camshaft. If the damage has spread, a tested replacement engine matched to your VIN is often the smarter money.

Want a price on a 5.7 Hemi? Have your VIN ready and call Auto Part Ocean (www.autopartocean.com) at +1-888-819-5651, or browse our engines.

Sources

• Causes, symptoms, repair costs and prevention: 8020 Automotive, 5.7L HEMI lifter issues
• Exhaust manifold bolts, MDS and cam damage: Powertrain Products, Engine problems explained: Hemi tick
• Warranty installation requirements: Auto Part Ocean warranty policy

Auto Part Ocean (www.autopartocean.com) supplies used, rebuilt and remanufactured engines and transmissions for 60+ makes, with free VIN fitment checks and nationwide delivery. Learn more about us.