Chrysler 3.6L Pentastar Ticking Noise & Repair Options

In this video I feature a Chrysler 3.6L Pentastar engine that has failed rocker arms. This failure is somewhat common for this engine. In the video I discuss how the rocker arms fail and other issues that may be caused by this failure while showing the parts that are affected like the camshafts, cam bearings, and lifters. I then talk about possible repair options depending upon the severity of damaged caused.
Note: While this video is somewhat detailed it is superficial in several ways. This is not a detailed step by step how to guide for properly diagnosing and repairing your vehicle. The video is meant to be a very high level overview of the issue discussed and to present possible repair options only. This video also does not cover all possible scenarios that may occur. Other repair routes may be needed depending upon the condition of the engine and the results of diagnosis. Also, the damage shown in the video may vary greatly compared to your own vehicle. If you are not confident in your own abilities to diagnose and repair your vehicle it may be best to have a professional tech diagnose and repair your vehicle for you.
Also, I believe that there is a TSB for this issue on the earlier 3.6Ls. It never hurts to contact your dealership to see if there is some kind of extended coverage or assistance for this issue. (judging by the chatter online.) You may be pleasantly surprised. Who knows?
By the way, the engine in the video is going to the scrap yard. I normally would not set a cam on top of the engine as your saw at about the 5:00 mark. This could damage the cam and the mating surface that the cam is sitting on on the head. (It's at the top of the screen.) Be kind and gentle with cams. Set them on a pillow or some sort of pad if you can. You don't want to damage the lobes or the cam journals.
I'll post a link to the tear down video of this engine when it becomes available. At this time, It's still cooking.
DISCLAIMER
Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses, protective gloves and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate. Verify everything using an appropriate repair manual. Verify everything with your own research.

[@fordchevinman4614]

Must say, mine started a 300000 km, it's been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned and not to mention, I never changed transmission fluid since I bought it new. I'm just going to drive it untill the engine blows up. It doesn't owe me anything.

[@ezpac123]

I'm at a similar spot you were last year. I'm curious to know, how's your engine running?

[@tl2369]

This video was GREAT!!! So much detail and awesome explanation. Got my gratitude and my follow!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Welcome aboard!

[@gregamos8793]

Very helpful and appreciated! Thanks!

[@jjscustomfabrications8234]

Good video, thanks for posting.

[@OnlineMechanicTips]

Hats off, great video my friend.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Looks like you have some good videos too! Thanks for the comment.

[@user-pr5tl6uc9t]

FANTASTIC TUTORIAL. VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND ARTICULATED.

[@johneric3886]

Good video, good communication skills

[@MO-ur2sz]

Nailed it 💯 thank you now i can rest knowing a mechanic can’t come back an just tell me anything 😮‍💨

[@DonCatherman]

Best video I've seen on the 3.6 cam issue... going to be digging into my first 3.6 this week...no cam noise..I believe a head gasket..high mileage engine..217k , runs great...but gets hot ..air in cooling system from combustion chamber I'm pretty sure...water stops moving....no water in oil or oil in water...kinda got me over thinking the issue.. removed thermostat... thought I had it figured out....bad thermostat right...nope.. Doing same thing...so I presure tested the cooling system... Would bleed down with no outside leaking of fluid....when restarted car..it had a miss a skip.... telling me there is a leak on the inside of the engine getting in now to the combustion chamber...from the head and or gaskets,,,this car is new to me... fixing problems as they come up...was not expecting to do a head job for sure....may just drop in a new engine if I find other issues with this one....0 Mile remand engine for it is 4,500$ ,,,,,5 year warranty.....

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Just dropped another video recently with helpful info for diagnosing an issue such as the one you are describing. A good bore scope is worth it's weight in gold when it comes to this. They aren't that expensive either and they can connect to you phone. Here is a link to that video. I hope if helps further... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmXOlYaDpdGBq6M

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

This is a repost of a video I had made some time back. I felt additional information needed to be added. Here you go!

[@kevinmcgehee5557]

You are the man!

[@rrmech11]

Nice job of interpretation

[@gidderman]

You know somewhere, somebody knows exactly why all these roller followers are failing prematurely. It reminds me of the same issue present in the 5.4L 3 Valve ford engines (which are notorious for Cam Phaser and timing chain guide/tensioner failure). Ford Tech Makuloko did a great set of videos addressing the followers failing on those engines as well, and this feels right similar. I would say poor material quality in the follower bearings (and likely the cams as well) is probably to blame. It is no secret manufacturers choose quantity over quality for mass production. AKA these followers using cheap questionable materials, along with the recommended oil being basically water these days (5w20 or 0w20) and i would say you have the perfect recipe for failure.. now i know somebody is gonna chip about my comment so go ahead, chirp all you want. But with what i have observed over the last 13 years there are so very few engines being made these days that can even come close to what was produced prior to 2010~ the actual metals being used in modern engines have been reduced to 'bare minumum standard' just to get you through the warrenty period.. Do you actually think manufacturers care about how long your engine lasts?? LOL dont kid yourself, they only care about $$$

[@scmeis1]

All engines have their quirks. This engine is really good, but research is your friend. I have a 2019 dodge charger with the 3.6. I was proactive and replaced the oil cooler. I have upgraded the hell out of this engine but totally forgot about the ticking. I have had this car since 100 miles and in 3 years only have 7600 miles. The ticking remains, and this gave me confidence to go to the Dealer. Worse comes to worse, I will do it myself. I am just worried about the modifications I did the car, will dodge pull the you did work, that violates the warranty. The ticking when it is cold is almost non existant, but when the car warms up, you can clearly hear it idle. This just confirmed my initial thought, it was rocker arm noise. If i have to do it myself, i plan to do all rockers and lifters. No reason not to at that point. I really wish i could find performance rockers, might as well upgrade it while i am in there if i have too.

[@PodDeep]

Great video.

[@RyanEmeryLovesCars]

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this from developing (i.e. using a different oil viscosity)?

[@danielschmidt7153]

Recently purchased a 2018 grand cherokee limited, seems my engine is making a sort of chugging noise, I also can hear a sort of ticking noise when I pull the engine cover off

[@NPartipilo]

Excellent video..

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thank you very much!

[@microminiskirt]

IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE CURRENT/ NEW 2022 CHALLENGER WITH 3.6L PENTASTAR ENGINE? HOW ABOUT THE CURRENT 5.7 HEMI AND 392 ENGINES IN THE CHALLENGER REFERRED TO AS THE "HEMI TICK" EARLY LIFTER FAILURES?

[@nathanplant8212]

Nice video!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks!

[@markwilliams6378]

Strangely enough my Dodge Durango had an intermittent ticking. I use full synthetic oil every 4000 miles and I haven't heard it much any more

[@uccoskun]

I believe lifters have a small spring in it and mostly pushed out by oil pressure. I would press on the lifters with my finger and watch them collapse under pressure. If it is not collapsing, it is frozen, and not good. If it is collapsing, I would keep using it. Am I right in my statement?

[@AmricanEagl]

I have a Town & Country 2014 that has 3.6 Pentastar 130k miles, it keeps giving me misfire on cylinder number four I changed the ignition coil and spark plug but still the problem persists do you know what the issue is? Or is it even fixable?

[@tommyclarence6809]

Good job❤

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks 😅

[@navderek]

Thank you so much for making this video. We recently purchased a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L FWD model with the 3.6L Pentastar gas engine. On the day we purchased it, driving home from the dealership lot, I got the check engine light flashing...brought it back in and the dealership said it had P0300 (cylinder misfire). At first they blamed it on 'bad fuel' and did a full fuel system flush then reset the system. The check engine light still comes on and now they are saying it's something related to camshaft but not being a mechanic and them not sharing the part I'm not sure what they mean. They tell me the vehicle is now going to be with them waiting for parts until mid-Feb..... In your opinion what could they be talking about considering this is a NEW vehicle I cannot see it being any sort of wear. The mechanic mentioned something about him being able to rotate the camshaft more than it should and something related to a locking pin for the oil...any idea what he could be talking about? THis is a bit of a nightmare for us because we traded-in our vehicle for this new van and now we are stuck with what might be a lemon.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I'm not sure. It stinks that EVERYTHING is on back order now days. This is a problem we deal with where I work too. Really makes it tough on techs. Especially makes it tough for customers. I'm sorry you are having this problem. I hope you get your vehicle back soon.

[@redcatxb125]

Just did a right bank exhaust cam for the same failure. 2016 grand caravan

[@joepearce3033]

Thanks

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No prob!

[@VanaConn]

The oil change intervals and oil quality are important. I’ll probably hit my 2017 challenger with slick 50 on next oil change. All my cars get a notebook with everything that was serviced by date and miles. Not many people bother with that anymore. Seems like a pain in ass job , one which I hope my 3.6 never suffers from.

[@samuelmorenoelpapeto5283]

Any problems with 3.6 Pentastar motor ? Grand Cherokee 2020

[@halbertpalomeque8728]

Hi good video and nice jop,but I’m olso I recomend the costumer replace the lifters,in case lifters stop pumping the oil,just sugestión,other and that is very good explanation 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Ok thanks!

[@markrombouts4142]

Hi, I have a 2016 ram 1500 3.6 with an engine tick for the 4th or 5th time. The first time the dealer replaced the passenger side cams, rockers and lifters under warranty. I changed 5 rockers over a period of 100k miles and was always able to hear with a car stethoscope what side was ticking. Now I have a tick again but the valve covers are quiet but the tick is coming from the exhaust close to the manifold? Anyone have an answer for this. 170k miles, every 6k miles oil change with Pennzoil.

[@mgvaper]

I really need some help If my rocker arm is bad and is making a knocking sound would it just make the sound only when Idling and not when driving. I also have a code for loose gas cap but I have replaced it and I still have that code could that have something to do with the sound it’s making

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Never heard of a gas cap issue causing a knocking noise.

[@jjgg7264]

I just had the rocker and lifter issue fixed on my 2015 grand Cherokee with 128k miles. Cost me $2600

[@ut_punkn1859]

My 2020 still has a ticking sound when you get up to 2600 rpm

[@ayandangcebetsha1562]

I have this problem at 11 years and 216000kms, I have to replace cylinder heads and two cams 😢

[@riyaandrayplay6856]

Is there anything i can do to prevent this or limit my chances?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Not that I know of. Maybe it wont happen to yours. Not every Pentestar does this.

[@Milfordbeach]

🔧👍

[@brendonirwin3644]

my 2016 caravan makes ticking noise

[@RB-nh3rb]

How long can It last with the ticking sound?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Who knows?

[@NPartipilo]

As the noise increases, your chance of engine failure goes up quickly. Best to get it fixed early on..

[@kitgerhart8749]

What I'd like to know is how to remove the camshaft, deal with the chain, retime the camshaft etc. Maybe that's a different video, but is part of changing the rocker arms.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Yes, that is a different video that I have not made. This video is just an informational video not a "how to". I'm sure there is something out there on youtube though.

[@Yahs-our-El]

Isn't there a law suit or case about this situation?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Not that I am aware of. Of course I didn't research it though.

[@bigred4974]

It will cost 2100 just to get new rocker air and 4 cams might as well buy new 3.6

[@jehadabunaaj1564]

This should be recalled

[@rc846]

Chrysler new updated rockers are now made in Taiwan vs China

[@papabits5721]

It looks like the engine was looked after

[@richardcotreau1653]

Yup 2017 failed 72000 miles

[@7628739]

Buy the new rebuilt motor

[@AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt]

You got me very stressed out

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Why so? These are good engines.

[@AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt]

@@BarboursAutoHelp I don’t know if you are being sarcastic or not?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

@@AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt No, I really do think they are good engines. No sarcasm.