Since the 1960s, the Dodge Charger has been a popular American muscle vehicle. It is renowned for its excellent performance and strong engines. The Dodge Charger does, however, sometimes need maintenance and repairs, just like any other vehicle.
A lifter replacement is one repair that some Charger owners may need to do. On this site, we will look at what engine lifters are, how they function, and how much it will cost to replace them in a Dodge Charger.
To replace a lifter in a Dodge Charger, you should budget between $1000 and $2500, components and labor included. The number of cylinders in your engine and the model year are the main determinants of this price, with newer automobiles often costing more to repair.
Why Do Engine Lifters Exist?
Let’s start by defining engine lifters. Engine lifters, commonly called cam followers, are tiny parts located between an engine’s camshaft and pushrods. They serve to communicate the camshaft’s motion to the pushrods, which subsequently raise and lower the valves to let fuel and air, and exhaust out of the combustion chamber. Essentially, lifters ensure everything is running smoothly by regulating the engine’s valve timing.
Hydraulic lifters and mechanical lifters are the two basic categories of lifters. Mechanical lifters have a solid connection, whereas hydraulic lifters rely on oil pressure to keep the camshaft and pushrod in contact. Hydraulic lifters are used in most contemporary engines because they provide higher performance and need less upkeep.
What causes lifters to degrade, and when should they be replaced? Due to constant wear and tear or a lack of maintenance, lifters may get worn or broken over time.
Ticking or banging sounds emanating from the engine, lower power and acceleration, and poor fuel efficiency are all signs of a faulty lifter. To avoid additional harm to your engine, having the lifters on your Charger inspected by a trained technician as soon as you believe they may be failing is critical.
The number of lifters in a Dodge Charger
The sort of engine a Dodge Charger has will determine how many lifters it has. The typical Charger engine has 8, 12, or 16 lifters, depending on the number of valves it has. Every valve has a lifter, which transfers the camshaft’s motion to the pushrod and the valve by resting between it and the valve.
For example, a straight-four engine typically has eight lifters, a straight-six engine often has twelve, and a V8 engine typically has sixteen. It’s important to remember that lifters collaborate with other engine parts and are meticulously built to guarantee accurate valve timing and performance. Any faults with the lifters may result in problems with the whole engine.
How often should lifters be changed?
While a Dodge Charger’s lifters are designed to last the engine’s lifespan, they may fail sooner due to various reasons, including improper maintenance, overheating, and contamination. Knowing when to replace your lifters is crucial for avoiding more expensive repairs and engine damage.
Knowing when to replace your lifters is crucial for preventing engine damage and more costly repairs. Here are some typical indications that your lifters may need replacement:
- Ticking or clicking sounds: If the engine is making ticking or clicking sounds, it may indicate that the lifters are deteriorating. When the engine first starts up or while it is working hard, this noise may be particularly audible.
- Engine misfires: If your engine misfires or runs rough, lifter failure may be the cause. This is because faulty lifters may result in valves opening and closing at the incorrect times, which can result in misfires.
- Power loss: Poor lifters may reduce your engine’s power, making it seem slow and unresponsive.
- Hissing sound: If you hear a rough sound from the engine, it can indicate that a lifter has failed and a fuel leak.
Cost of a Replacement Lifter
Dodge Charger Lifter Repair Cost Variables
The amount of lifters in your engine determines how much it will cost to replace them in your Dodge Charger. Your engine will normally need more lifters the more cylinders it has, increasing the total replacement cost. As lifters are manufactured together and may wear out simultaneously, replacing them all at once is often advised.
Your car’s model and year might impact how much it costs to replace the lifters. Newer models could have more complex or sophisticated engines, which cost more to replace since they need more work and specialized components.
Dodge Charger Lifter Replacement Expense on the Average
The price of a Dodge Charger lifter replacement might change depending on the variables mentioned above. Replacement lifters typically cost between $1000 and $2500, components and labor included. Nevertheless, the price may vary according to the car’s year and model, its make, its number of cylinders, and the degree of lifter damage. It is usually a good idea to get an estimate from an experienced technician to determine the precise price of lifter replacement for your particular automobile.
Variations in Engine Lifters Replacement Cost Among Models
The Dodge Charger’s engine type and model might affect the cost of lifter replacement. For instance, the typical cost of replacing a 5.7 Hemi engine lifter for all 16 lifters maybe $1600. On the other hand, a 5.3 Vortec engine lifter replacement might cost between $2500 and $3500, labor included. This engine has 16 lifters.
Depending on your automobile’s year, model, and engine type, the price of lifters for different engine types and models may also change. To find out the precise replacement cost for your particular automobile, it’s usually a good idea to obtain an estimate from an experienced repair.
Conclusion
The number of cylinders in the engine, the year and model of the vehicle, and the severity of the lifter damage may all affect how much it costs to replace them in a Dodge Charger. Yet you can maintain your Dodge Charger’s lifters in excellent shape and take advantage of its remarkable performance for many years with regular maintenance and inspections by a trained technician.
