5.7 Hemi Lifter Replacement Cost

The Dodge 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine is a powerful yet relatively affordable powerplant that has been used in many Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles since 2003. However, one common issue owners of these vehicles deal with is lifter failure, which can cause ticking noises, rough idling, and reduced engine performance.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about 5.7 Hemi lifter replacement costs, symptoms, and the repair process.

Understanding Lifter Failure

Lifters are small cam followers located inside the engine that open and close the vehicle's valves at precise times to allow air and fuel to enter and exit the combustion chamber. Heavy engine vibrations over time can cause the lifters to wear out prematurely. Common signs of failing lifters include:

• Audible tapping or ticking noise from the engine when idling
• Rough idling or stalling when the engine is warming up
• Loss of engine power under heavy acceleration
• Rough idle that gets smoother as the engine gets warmer

As the lifters wear out, they no longer properly actuate the valves which disrupts the fuel ignition timing. This leads to inefficient combustion and reduced engine performance.

Left unaddressed, failing lifters can eventually damage other engine components like the valves, camshaft, and rocker arms.

5.7 Hemi Lifter Replacement Cost Factors

The typical cost to replace the lifters on a 5.7 Hemi engine can range from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on a few key factors:

Labor

Labor costs make up a significant portion of any engine repair bill since it requires removing major components like the intake manifold, valvetrain, and timing chain cover to access the lifters.

Expect to pay around 8-10 hours of labor charged at the shop's hourly rate, which is usually $100-150 per hour.

Parts

Genuine Mopar lifter sets run around $300-500 depending on the year and model. Aftermarket sets can be had for $200-300. Other necessary gasket and seal replacement parts add another $100-200 to the parts total.

Engine Condition

If the engine is in otherwise good condition, lifter replacement may be the sole repair needed. But if other components like the camshaft are also worn, extra labor and parts will be required to fully address the issue, increasing costs substantially.

Warranty Status

Vehicles still under an active factory powertrain warranty may have lifter replacement fully or partially covered. For out-of-warranty vehicles, owners pay the full shop rate for parts and labor.

5.7 Hemi Lifter Replacement Process

Here are the typical steps involved to replace the lifters on a 5.7 Hemi V8 engine:

1. Drain the engine coolant and remove accessories like the serpentine belt for improved access.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable and remove the air intake ducting.
3. Remove the valve covers to access the lifters and remove any pushrods.
4. Take off the timing chain cover and disassemble the valvetrain components as needed.
5. Compress the valve springs using a spring compressor tool and remove the old lifters.
6. Inspect camshaft lobes and replace if excessively worn from failed lifters.
7. Lubricate and install the new hydraulic lifters one-by-one in their proper positions.
8. Reinstall all valvetrain components in reverse order of removal.
9. Fill with new coolant and engine oil, reconnect accessories, and start the engine to check for issues.

The process can take a skilled technician 6-8 hours to complete depending on any additional repairs needed. It's important to use factory OEM or high-quality aftermarket replacement parts for optimal engine performance and reliability post-repair.

When is Lifter Replacement Urgent?

While lifter failure causes annoying engine symptoms, prompt replacement isn't always critical to avoid further damage in all cases. Here are some general guidelines on urgency:

• Light ticking at startup or idle - Monitor for worsening but not yet critical.
• Misfires or noticeable power loss under acceleration - Replace within 500 miles to prevent valve damage.
• Excessive rattling or loud tapping at all engine speeds - Replace immediately to avoid costly repairs.
• Difficult cold starts or stalling - Replace to maintain drivability.

It's preferable to address failing lifters before other engine parts are affected. The sooner it's repaired after symptom onset, the lower the total costs tend to be.

Alternatives to Lifter Replacement

While full replacement is often necessary, there are a few other potential options to consider:

Engine Cleaning Service

For light lifter ticking only at startup, a professional engine cleaning may dislodge carbon buildup allowing the lifters to function without replacement temporarily.

Lifter Lubrication Additive

Products like Lucas Oil additive are sometimes recommended to relubricate worn lifters in hopes of prolonging function. Success varies and most experts don't consider it a permanent fix.

Used Engine Swap

For higher mileage vehicles, a used but low mileage replacement engine could solve multiple issues for less than a full rebuild. Check local salvage yards for available cores.

Should You Do It Yourself?

Replacing lifters requires specialist tools and mechanical expertise to avoid potential damage. While ambitious do-it-yourself mechanics may attempt it, most experts recommend leaving it to a professional shop:

• Valve train disassembly and assembly requires careful attention to prevent bent valves.
• Proper use of spring compressors is critical for safety.
• Torque wrenches are needed to tighten components correctly.
• Diagnosing underlying issues requires automotive training and diagnostic equipment.
• Dealership technicians have access to OEM repair guides and information.

The labor cost savings often isn't worth the risk of an improper home job. Let experienced professionals with a store warranty handle this precision work.

Overall Cost Considerations

To summarize, most Dodge vehicles with the 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine can expect to pay roughly $1,000-$2,500 for a full lifter replacement job at an independent repair shop. The exact cost depends on factors like:

• Level of engine teardown required
• Need for additional component fixes
• Type of replacement parts used (OEM vs aftermarket)
• Labor rates at the shop
• Any extended warranty coverage

Being proactive and diagnosing issues early helps avoid further repairs and higher bills down the road. Hope this guide helped explain the lifter replacement process and provide a ballpark cost range to budget for on these popular Hemi V8 engines.