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Hemi owners, take note: This flaw could be hiding under your hood.<\/p>\n
A cracked exhaust manifold might not show up until your next cold morning start. But when it does, it could result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair costs. A viral mechanic video is offering both a warning and a fix.<\/p>\n
A viral TikTok clip from Dave\u2019s Auto Center (@davesengines) in Centerville, Utah, shows viewers up close how the stock manifold on a Dodge Ram or other Hemi engine-equipped vehicles could fail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s like a put-put-put-put noise, and it happens almost on every Hemi,\u201d the unnamed mechanic tells us. \u201cThese manifolds are really thin, and it’s just a poor design, and so they flex. Then, that flexing leads to cracking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ram trucks powered by Hemi V\u20118 engines, including the 5.7L and 6.4L variants, are seeing an uptick in exhaust manifold failures<\/a>.<\/p>\n This design vulnerability isn\u2019t new. Enthusiasts on DIY forums<\/a> have flagged the problem for years, often noting broken bolts, warped manifolds, or part shortages. An official Stellantis Technical Service Bulletin<\/a> from 2022 acknowledges that for 2019-2021 Ram 1500 trucks with the 5.7L Hemi, drivers may hear a persistent “ticking” noise on cold starts. That\u2019s a symptom linked to exhaust manifold cracks.<\/p>\n The bulletin instructs dealers to inspect for cracked manifolds and, if found, replace the entire manifold assembly, including bolts, gaskets, shields, and tie bars, all as part of a covered warranty repair.<\/p>\n Industry experts have also traced the root causes to combative heat cycles. The cast\u2011iron manifold and steel bolts expand<\/a> and contract at different rates, especially during thermal cycling. In newer Ram models, a reinforcing metal bar spanning the bolts has reportedly shifted<\/a> stress from the bolts to the manifold casting, leading to cracked manifolds instead of broken bolts.<\/p>\n Popular automotive outlet MotorBiscuit concurs that while earlier models suffered bolt failures, newer generation trucks see more manifold cracking<\/a>, a shift likely tied to updated hardware designs.<\/p>\n The telltale symptom is a cold-start ticking<\/a>, audible near the manifold area, which typically fades as the engine warms. This is explicitly referenced in the Stellantis bulletin.<\/p>\n Symptoms can extend<\/a> beyond noise:<\/p>\n Reduced engine performance and potential check engine light activation, as exhaust leaks can skew oxygen sensor readings.<\/p>\n Increased heat and noise in the cabin area due to escaping exhaust gases.<\/p>\n Potential safety risks from exhaust gases entering the passenger compartment\u2014though rare, these make prompt diagnosis wise.<\/p>\n Stellantis recommends replacement<\/a> using a full exhaust manifold kit, which includes improved fasteners and tie bars, as part of the regular warranty coverage if the issue is detected within the specified limits.<\/p>\n Cost-wise, dealership parts and labor for replacing both sides average around four hours of shop time, per the bulletin, though labor costs vary regionally.<\/p>\n Aftermarket solutions like BD Diesel\u2019s manifold kit<\/a> offer key upgrades that address failure points:<\/p>\n Constructed from high-silicon ductile iron, which better resists warping. While precise pricing from automotive outlets is limited, some retailers list BD kits around the $515-$532 range<\/a>.<\/p>\n While headers, both shorty and long-tube, are promoted for performance and heat management, they come at a higher cost, often around $1,000+, and have mixed long-term reliability, particularly at welds.<\/p>\n Cracked exhaust manifolds may sound like a nuisance, but the implications go beyond noise. Left unchecked, leaks<\/a> can reduce engine performance, trigger check-engine lights, and even allow exhaust gases to seep into the cabin. Stellantis has issued technical service guidance acknowledging the problem with late-model Ram 1500s equipped with the 5.7L Hemi, underscoring that the issue is linked to a design flaw with real-world consequences.<\/p>\n Owners weighing their options should consider<\/a> warranty coverage, aftermarket upgrades, and preventive checks to avoid bigger bills down the road.<\/p>\n Catch it early.<\/strong> If your Ram with a Hemi cranks over cold and you hear that distinct ticking, especially shortly after sitting, it\u2019s time for inspection. Motor1<\/em> reached out to the creator via phone and email.<\/p>\n Hemi owners, take note: This flaw could be hiding under your hood. A cracked exhaust manifold might not show up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4862"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4862"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4862\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4865,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4862\/revisions\/4865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.undergroundz.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}OEM Replacements and Aftermarket Upgrades<\/h2>\n
\nIncludes longer fasteners with spacers and independent heat shield mounting points to reduce stress.
\nComprehensive kit includes all necessary gaskets and hardware.<\/p>\nWhat Ram Owners Should Do Next<\/h2>\n
\nTake advantage of warranty coverage.<\/strong> If your 1500 is a 2019-2021 model, show service personnel the Stellantis bulletin to ensure proper diagnosis and covered repair.
\nConsider a long-term fix.<\/strong> The OEM repair addresses the crack but may not prevent future failures. An aftermarket kit like BD Diesel\u2019s adds durability improvements.
\nKnow your options.<\/strong> OEM repairs, though more expensive, carry warranty support. Aftermarket parts offer a stronger design. Header systems offer performance benefits but come with complexity and higher cost.<\/p>\n
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