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Mechanic Dave Miller of Hemi Garage Hacks says a missing oiling hole in 2009-and-newer Hemi V8 blocks may leave lifters short of lubrication and contribute to the engines’ ticking failures. He is developing a modified lifter as a possible remedy, but the fix has not been independently validated or shown to prevent failures in service.
Mechanic Dave Miller, who runs the Hemi Garage Hacks YouTube channel, says he may have identified why some modern Hemi V8 lifters fail and is developing a modified lifter intended to improve their lubrication. His explanation is based on borescope footage and a test bench; the proposed fix has not yet been demonstrated in long-term vehicle use, so it remains a theory rather than a verified repair.
The reported problem involves 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi engines built from 2009 onward, used in Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. The familiar ticking noise is associated with valvetrain trouble. According to The Drive’s report, a lifter roller that does not receive enough oil can lose its internal needle bearings. If the roller stops turning, it can damage the camshaft lobe, followed by misfires and potentially extensive engine repairs.
Miller says he compared an earlier Hemi with a later engine using a borescope inside the oil gallery. In the earlier engine, he points to a small opening that he says allows oil to reach the lifter as it moves. In the later design, he says that opening is absent. Miller links the difference to a block redesign for a longer camshaft snout required by later engines’ variable valve timing, while saying the cam-journal designs are otherwise similar.
In footage described by The Drive, Miller also loosens a bolt on a lifter test bench by about a quarter-turn, after which oil flows through the resulting gap. He presents this as evidence that the area can pass a meaningful amount of oil. The report says Miller is working on a modified lifter design intended to address the suspected lubrication issue. His project had received $4,369 toward a $5,000 fundraising goal at the time The Drive published its report.
Potential Relief for Hemi Owners
If Miller’s explanation proves correct, it could offer a more specific account of why some modern Hemi lifters and camshafts wear prematurely, and inform a repair aimed at the suspected oil supply problem. That matters to owners because the reported failure can progress from a ticking noise to misfires and major engine work if damage continues.
For now, owners should not treat the proposal as a proven preventative fix. The available report describes Miller’s inspection and development effort, not controlled testing or a track record across vehicles. A ticking engine can have more than one cause, and diagnosis should be based on the particular vehicle rather than the sound alone.
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How the Lifter Failure Develops
The Drive reports that the Hemi tick has been associated with valvetrain lifters for years, but that the precise cause has been difficult to establish. Miller says he has rebuilt more than 2,000 Hemi engines during his time as a mechanic. That experience informs his diagnosis, but it does not by itself establish that the proposed oiling passage explains every failure.
The suspected sequence is mechanical: inadequate lubrication may damage the lifter’s needle bearings; a failing roller can then grind against the camshaft lobe. Continued operation may worsen the wear and lead to misfires. Miller’s comparison between earlier and later engine designs is intended to explain why he believes later lifters are more vulnerable, but broader testing is needed to establish how consistently that design difference causes the reported failures.
“I found the HEMI Problem and a Solution!”
— Dave Miller, Hemi Garage Hacks
Testing Still Needed on the Fix
The report does not provide independent engineering review of Miller’s borescope interpretation, measurements comparing oil flow in the two engine designs, or controlled results from the modified lifter. It also does not establish whether the suspected missing passage is present in every relevant engine configuration or whether it accounts for all cases of Hemi tick.
It remains unclear when Miller’s revised lifter will be ready, whether it will be tested in customer vehicles, and whether it can reduce failures over time. The fundraising total and supporters’ reactions show interest in the project, but neither confirms that the diagnosis or remedy works.
Awaiting a Tested Lifter Design
The next meaningful milestone is publication of the modified lifter and evidence from testing, including whether it delivers more oil to the roller and how it performs under sustained engine use. The report does not give a release date or describe a completed test program. Until such results are available, Miller’s proposal should be understood as a developing repair theory, not an established fix.
Owners hearing a tick should have the vehicle diagnosed promptly, particularly if the noise is accompanied by a misfire or other changes in engine operation. A mechanic can inspect the valvetrain and determine whether continued driving risks further damage; the sound alone cannot confirm Miller’s proposed cause.
Key Questions
What does Miller think causes the modern Hemi tick?
Miller says a missing oiling opening in 2009-and-newer Hemi designs may leave lifter rollers without enough lubrication, damaging their bearings and the camshaft.
Has Miller’s proposed fix been proven?
No. The Drive report describes his borescope observations and a modified lifter under development, but gives no independent validation or long-term vehicle test results.
Which vehicles may be affected?
The report discusses 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi engines built from 2009 onward, found in some Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. It does not establish that every engine or vehicle has the same defect.
Can the ticking noise lead to more serious damage?
According to the report, a damaged lifter roller can wear down a camshaft lobe and may lead to misfires or extensive engine repairs. A qualified mechanic should diagnose a persistent tick rather than assuming it has one specific cause.
Source: thedrive.com
