Could be the oil isn't synthetic, or a Fram oil filter is being used. Could also be the noise that a bad alternator makes.

 

If you don't know how old the oil is, you should change it, so you have a baseline to go from. Check your owner's manual, but I believe the SRT takes 0w20 or something. This oil could be hard to get, so a previous owner may have had the wrong oil put in due to unavailability of the correct type.

 

ok cool thanks alot guys. seems like i should def do an oil change first. also is synthetic recommened by dodge for there srt4 models? i was at a local dodge dealer not the one i bought the car from recently and they had a pennzoil ultra or something that was made specifically for the srt.

ill check the alternator and see if its running right.

thanks alot guys for the advice.

 

"The manufacturer recommends the use of a full synthetic
engine oil, such as Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40 or equivalent."

This is a quote directly from the SRT4 manual.
If you don't have a copy of the owner's manual, go to our manuals section for more detail.

Another point: Sometimes fuel injectors can click pretty loud, and their "timing" could make them sound like a valve tap. Might want to dump a bottle of "Techron" fuel system cleaner into the gas tank at your next fill-up.

 

ahhh i should try that. because i did get on it a little bit to pass some dick dude before i got home and i realized it when i parked my car. so maybe injectors or something then hmm. it wasnt doing it this morning so that sounds like it could be something like that

 

I use Mobil One in my Chevy and it's not even a turbo. I wouldn't put Pennzoil in my lawn mower, but that's my personal choice. How many miles are on your Caliber? If it's a lot, you might add a couple of ounces of Seafoam to the oil before you change it and see if that helps your "valve noise".

 

ive only ever owned fords prior to this car so i always used motorcraft synthetic blend they made for my fords. my caliber has a little over 69k on it now so maybe a cleaner like seafoam or something similar could be useful. thanks

 

You're also around the mileage that a lot of folks have had trouble with the alternator decoupler pulley going bad. Maybe you're hearing the first sounds of that sucker going out. Do a search hear and you'll find several videos of that. You can also fashion a cheap stethoscope with a funnel and piece of heater hose. Attach the hose to the funnel, put the hose on the alternator with it running and put the funnel up to your ear. If it's knocking or tapping, the funnel will amplify the noise. Just be careful not to let the hose get into the drive belt!

 

You're also around the mileage that a lot of folks have had trouble with the alternator decoupler pulley going bad. Maybe you're hearing the first sounds of that sucker going out. Do a search hear and you'll find several videos of that. You can also fashion a cheap stethoscope with a funnel and piece of heater hose. Attach the hose to the funnel, put the hose on the alternator with it running and put the funnel up to your ear. If it's knocking or tapping, the funnel will amplify the noise. Just be careful not to let the hose get into the drive belt![/QUOTE

good idea! guy at my work prob has something like that we call him mcgyuver haha. i havent heard the tapping in a few days now but its possible that its starting to go

 

I doubt that it's a valve, since you haven't noticed it in a few days. Valves don't just "start to go" and then quiet down. They get progressively worse if one is burnt. Maybe put a couple of ounces of Seafoam in the crankcase, drive it a day or two and then do an oil change with a good synthetic you like and a QUALITY oil filter.

 

sounds good to me. ill keep everyone posted