# Lifter Tick Noise; '05 Dodge Stratus **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dodge, stratus\ **Created:** [February 5, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162 "2013-02-05T01:02:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dw2earth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@dw2earth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dw2earth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162/1 "2013-02-05T01:02:19Z")
My car is making the dreaded lifter tick noise. The dealerhip is telling me that my lifters need to be replaced at a cost of $1200. I have been letting my car warm up for about 15 minutes before driving because I cannot stand that noise. I am living near Charlotte, NC and would like to know if there is a cheaper fix for my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162/2 "2013-02-05T01:11:21Z")
How can you be so sure that is what the noise is? I wouldn’t trust the dealership with this, and I’d get a second opinion, especially on a $1,200 job. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162/3 "2013-02-05T01:29:47Z")
What weight oil are you using in the engine? Tester ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162/4 "2013-02-05T01:59:04Z")
And how many miles does it have? ---
**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162/5 "2013-02-05T04:25:12Z")
A light, temporary lifter tick is annoying but is most likely harmless. Too heavy a tick for too long a time at too high an engine speed can damage your camshaft. I have an old Buick shop manual that says to not judge hydraulic valve lifter noise until the engine is thoroughly warmed up to bring all engine parts to a normal state of expansion. Also, I have had good success with an additive, CD2 with the black label, not the red label. I am convinced that most oil or fuel additives are useless but this one has been an exception for me. If a full can works to quiet your valve train noise, you could back off to a half can to see if that is still effective to save a little money. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifter-tick-noise-05-dodge-stratus/77162/6 "2013-02-05T04:48:07Z")
How long since your last oil change, I would try a full synthetic first. If it is a 6 cyl it could be engine sludge. I heard of a local guy having good success with trans fluid, do not recall the mix or ratio or frequency of changes, I’d be glad to give him a call if desired.