[BlueNitro]

The Nitro now has about 1200 Km's (750 miles) on it, when idleing at around 750 RPM there is a loud "ticking" noise coming from the rear of the engine.
The valve train rattles like a cold diesel also.
Oil Pump?
At higher RPM it seems to disapear, but with the "loud" exaust and road noise, I can't be sure.
I could accept this if this were a small block GM with 250,000 on her, but its a brand new unit!

 

[dk1677]

Sounds like a job for Nitrotech!

It does sound like lack of oil (no expert anymore) I have 3000+ on mine and its quiet!

 

[BlueNitro]

It goes back to the Dealer next Friday, and if they try more "bafflegab" about computers and timing issues, they will get an earful!
At least I get a Dakota 4 door to abuse while mine is in the shop.

 

[NitroTech]

The Nitro now has about 1200 Km's (750 miles) on it, when idleing at around 750 RPM there is a loud "ticking" noise coming from the rear of the engine.
The valve train rattles like a cold diesel also.
Oil Pump?
At higher RPM it seems to disapear, but with the "loud" exaust and road noise, I can't be sure.
I could accept this if this were a small block GM with 250,000 on her, but its a brand new unit!

Often a "ticking" noise is associated with lifters (lash adjusters) that may have collapsed.

The important thing I feel to know is what is normal and what it not when it comes to engine noises. All engines have their inherent signature sound. I can tell you without lifting the hood on all current Chrysler products what engine it has.

My questions are, have you listened to another Nitro with similar mileage? What if it sounds the same? And what if your dealer tells you what you are hearing is a "normal" sound for a 3.7L.

If there is something indeed wrong, I'm sure it will be corrected.

 

[BlueNitro]

I can't relay how anoying the "ticking" sound is.
It is quite audible to people in other vehicles.
It seems to coinside with each crankshaft revolution, or a particular valve cycle on a rearward cylinder.
The dealer does acknowledge it is unusual, but downplays its signifigance.

 

[GT]

The dealer does acknowledge it is unusual, but downplays its signifigance.

Why am I not surprised?

 

[BlueNitro]

The dealer now says it is "normal" and will not do anything about it.
This thing sounds like a cheap watch held up to a microphone.
I think I should have gotten the "Rav4", or the Ford "Edge", & boy do I hate Fords.
This owner is not a happy camper.

 

[hernitro]

Time to try another dealer that cares to make you happy with service, and not just the sale.

 

[StreetDancer]

I'm up to 10 k here already (got mine in November). No problems to report like this one.

I agree with hernitro. I've been to 3 different dealers (stopped in at one because it was nearby and I had picked up some rocks in the brakes).

I'm very happy with the one I'm using now (my original purchase dealer is 306 miles away). I've had excellent results with Lithia Dodge out of Great Falls. They're always receptive (plus they know I read the forum and am an informed consumer) and have always been willing to go the extra mile to make sure I am happy even though I didn't purchase mine there.

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Same problem

I'm actually on my second Nitro, the first one I had ticked like a wild banshe with only 75 miles on it, I took it back and traded it in for a better model with leather and the engine doesnt tick at all! I'm thinking maybe they had a bad batch of lifters come through the line.

 

[BlueNitro]

I'm actually on my second Nitro, the first one I had ticked like a wild banshe with only 75 miles on it, I took it back and traded it in for a better model with leather and the engine doesnt tick at all! I'm thinking maybe they had a bad batch of lifters come through the line.

Trade in?
How much did they gouge you for that?

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Dealer messed up

The dealer actually messed up and gave me the wrong vehicle so they upgraded me to leather and even installed a sunroof for $1,500 more than the original vehicle.

 

[BlueNitro]

Sounds like a positive "screw-up" to me!

 

[BlueNitro]

Latest update, after 7K Km the tick still persists.
Been to 3 different Dealers, all say the sound is normal, BUT....each dealer is offering a different explanation of what the sound is?!?
So far it has been "explained" as ......
#1 Break in and should go away
#2 Zero clearance valve rockers
#3 Injector solenoid resonance from the intake tube
Still sounds like a bunch of "Bovine Excrement" to me.

 

[Oldguy]

I have a small tick in my 3.7, but as the milage has accumulated it has subsided quite a bit! (up to around 11K now, I suspect the sound was injector related) The three possible explanations you have been given do make some sense, keep in mind that these are overhead cam motors with more parts up in the valve covers than pushrod motors, however I don't really enjoy a shop that doesn't at least break out the stethescope or a suitable substitute to narrow it down a bit. After all, if it is servere valvetrain clearance, (rather than lack there of - how can pieces that are already touching each other make a tap or tick sound!), allowing it to continue too long could damage valvetrain parts and potentially put particles of metal into the oil. Very bad for the oil pump and crankshaft bearings or any other place that those particles may get pumped to if they get through the oil filter. If you change your own oil and filter, (the filter on the 3.7 Nitro is kind of a pain just to see!), it is a good idea to examine the oil to look for excessive metalic content and/or cut open the filter to see what it has caught. You can even find companies that can do a microscopic and chemical analysis if you really want to know what is in there, but you might learn something with just a visual inspection.
J

 

[Guest]

I am also familiar with the ticking...definaley with the guy who was talking about the lifters. I have already had mine replaced. I am certain that has to be the prob...sounds like Dodge has a problem that needs to be fixed!! Good luck!!

 

[BlueNitro]

I am also familiar with the ticking...definaley with the guy who was talking about the lifters. I have already had mine replaced. I am certain that has to be the prob...sounds like Dodge has a problem that needs to be fixed!! Good luck!!

Replaced?? What kind of "Hoops" did you have to jump through for that to happen?

 

[petey]

Just this evening I noticed a ticking coming from the engine in our Nitro. It is something that I am sure wasn't there before. You can hear it quite clearly from outside the vehicle (sounds like it is coming from just behind the front wheels/rear of motor) as well as once the hood is opened. Seems a little off to me, in my opinion, for this sound in a new vehicle. The motor only has 1500k on it. Could this be the normal sound of the 3.7? I hope not.

Just looking for an opinion on wether or not I shold bring it in ASAP, or wait until the first scheduled service to get it looked at.

Thanks

 

[KenCary]

I am sorry to hear about your problems, but don't blame it on Dodge or think that a Honda is so much better. I can tell you plenty of stories about problems with Hondas.

The 3.7L V6 has been a dependable engine for many years. You may however have a lifter prpoblem here.

The 3.7L does have a bit more valve noise than some other cars, but it sounds like yours is not normal.

 

[resorb]

i have the same problem. The ticking is very annoying... sounds like a diesel. I took it to the dealer where I purchased it, they said it was the "normal sound of the beast" - bah. I asked to test-drive another nitro, there seemed to also be a ticking on the other nitro I test drove, sounded much quieter though.

My nitro was manufactured 04/2008 - the one I test drove was 03/2008.

So - I'm still unsure if it is really normal, or really a problem. I'm going to test drive a different nitro from a different dealer this weekend and see if the nito has the same ticking.