5.7L failed lifters

[maxredspeed3]

This is a humbling post to write, but I'm hoping for some advice/input based on experience.

Just to be upfront, I'm currently homeless and jobless, so as much as I would love to wave a credit card and take the shop's easy solution, right now it's not an option.

Truck info:

• 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel (new body style), stock.
• 5.7L (full gas, no eTorque/hybrid).
• EZH engine (VIN code T).
• 170k miles.
• Originally a Canadian truck (but I purchased it used in North Carolina).

Long story short, my truck was running rough and giving "misfire on cylinder 5", so I took it to a shop and they confirmed it has "failed lifters" and metal in the oil. Their solution was to replace the entire engine (~$7k plus $5k labor plus $700 gasket set = ~$13k). Realistically, I probably can't even afford a used engine, and even if I could, I don't have the tools to do an engine swap.

So, my goal is to try and repair what I can so it's drivable, while also preventing "too much" future damage. I've done plenty of my own work in the past, but not inner-engine like this (which is another part of the reason why I'm posting).

My (rough) idea was to:

1. Pop off the valve covers and clean what I could from the top (oil sludge and bits of metal)
2. Replace the lifters and gaskets (and any other springs or anything else that shows as blatantly damaged).
3. Put the valve covers back on
4. Flush it with oil (fill it, run it for a few minutes to cycle, then drain and replace the filter, and repeat).

My reasoning is that flushing with oil and replacing the filter is maybe $40-45 per cycle. So even if I flushed it 8-10 times to try and get everything out, that would only be $300-$400 for the flushing.

So first question: how valid is this for a temporary fix? Or is it a situation where it isn't even worth trying to clean unless you drop the camshaft and pull out the pistons and everything else?

Second question is: I've had trouble finding a DIY lifters replacement video for anything 2019+ (especially for a Rebel). I see a lot of videos about replacing lifters on "5.7 Hemis", but they are all on vehicles older than 2018. However, it looks the same as my truck. And I think I saw that the EZH engine was started back in...2010? 2009? So should those videos be pretty close to accurate for what I have, at least for seeing the steps involved to get at everything?

And by all means, if you have any better ideas, please let me know.

 

[oe542bob]

You’re in a tough spot. If you do remove just the lifters, I would think they are not your only issue. Probably need a cam too. And if you don’t get the metal out, you will be just wasting time and money. How about checking around for a used engine at a salvage yard.