I’ve been planning on converting a Dodge Magnum to an Ecto, once I get one that is. However, I just heard about an issue that some, if not most, Chargers/Magnums have with a slight to major ticking coming from the engine. Most mechanics would say its the fuel injectors and its normal, but in truth the lifters are damaged and need replacing costing $1200+ in repairs or a new engine if not repairable. Anyone with a Magnum have this issue? Should I risk getting a Magnum or research another potential car for an Ecto? Any input would greatly be appreciated
Lifters have always “clicked” on these types of engines. Some times it is a shortage of oil… and you can typically force oil into them with the valve cover off if you really had to.
$1200 to fix? Maybe. It would require the removal of the timing belt and cams.
Could you destroy the engine? Only if they get destroyed and the cams destroy the heads.
I doubt this would actually be a serious issue. Dodge has been using things similar to this for decades now. Clicking in the lifters is pretty normal.
Fuel injectors click too, but shouldn’t be that loud.
I’ve had no problems with my lifters.
There is a common issue with part of the cooling system on the 2.7 that was a recall issue and there’s a little plastic part in the shifter that’s the mechanical neutral safety switch that tends to break causin you to be stuck in park…but that’s an easy fix by either removing it and going without a NSS or replacing it.
Those are the only common mechanical issues I’m aware of…except for the tendency to spin a bearing when driving in Ohio. *rimshot
But seriously you have to remember the magnum is out of production so any one you get will be used and you’ll have no idea of the true wear on the car. It’s a machine, and eventually all machines fail. Personally since the newest you’ll be able to get is 5 years old, I’d look for something else.
I have a magnum.. its only a 3.5 but no problems… i have heard the hemi’s have problems tho.. a local shop owner i know that has a magnum with the hemi is having alot of issues..
sent from my PKE meter
Also ive heard of the shifters sticking that chase has said… anyone else have the instrament cluster problem? On mine the screen that shows what gear ur in and other dummy lights dont work.. but everything else does…
sent from my PKE meter
AJ: Well if its normal and not an issue then I can charlie mike
Chace: I definitely see your point, though anything I buy would be used either way so a safe option would be to have my mechanic uncle inspect it first to inform me of its condition. Normally, I wouldn’t buy a vehicle older than 10 years (one exception, 1966 Mustang convertible) because of exactly what you said.
Snidder: You kinda killed my hopes since I’m a V8 guy, haha. But note taken and I know, from others such as Boomer, that a V6 is capable of the extra weight
Thanks for the input, though definitely will read other posts to help with this decision
I wanted the Hemi when I got mine, but I also wanted a white hard top and after looking for a while settled on a 2.7 which hasn’t given me any problems (aside from the shifter and recall issue, both of which were quick fixes). It IS slow but not super slow, and it gets fantastic mileage for a vehicle with a reverse sail on the roof.
I know a few people with the Hemi, some have had issues, most have not.
I’d suggest checking out some of the magnum or LX forums (LX is the body platform that the magnum, 300, charger, and challenger fall under) here’s one forum I used for a while http://www.custommagnums.com/forums/forum.php
Yeah. that’s the forums I’m using to further research the ticking to see if it truly is an issue and if so is it only certain engines, years, etc. But it seems like the general census is its just normal operation or an easy fix
I know this is older posting but I have an 05 RAM 1500 with the Hemi and I have spent hours on the net and at shops trying to figure out the ticking sound i hear at idle. Then a couple old muscle car guys told me that the older Hemi’s had a tick as well. So after all that and the money spent the only diagnoses I have is what they call the “HEMI TICK”.
That’s what I kept seeing about it myself, “hemi tick”. But I’ve decided to go with a classic hearse instead since it’ll be within my budget and resources
Our Chrysler van has the tick/knock if I use ■■■■ gas. And its gone if I use good gas.
My cutlass never knocks or ticks, maybe because I use premium gas plus a bottle of octane booster.
That’s until I can find a place with better quality fuel.
That’s because knock is eliminated by octane.
Only if it’s spark knock. There’s also lifter/follower knock which is more of a tick but if oil isn’t getting to the follower or valve lash is set incorrectly for lifters, then it becomes more of a knock; ROD knock and injector knock…All of my cars experience at least one of the above type of knock.
I wouldn’t call the lifter / injector ‘ticking’ a knock. It’s a noise.. sure…
I basically associate knocking with purely the incorrect detonation of the gas… and I believe that is what it is by definition.