Bought a new 2018 3.6L v6 300 rwd 10/29/18. Now has 4600 miles. Same basic 3.6 rwd 8spd powertrain my 2012 was. When I start a cold engine, maybe 50 percent of those cold starts I hear a ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka for a couple seconds. Both, the 2012 and now 2018 done it since new. Never had any driveabilty issue with eithers engines. They both run/ ran great with great mpg and healthy low end rpm torque. The 2012 had 85,000miles when traded, always ran flawless. Only check engine the 12 had was a too cool t stat code, I forget the exact code ... p0158 or something. But in any case my 18 ticka ticka ticka ticka sometimes on cold start? Need I worry? I plan to keep this car 6-7 years like I did my 12. I have full extended warranty like my 12 had. I just dont want to have to worry about my beautiful car having engine issues. I love this car. Both cars have had full synthetic oil changes when they hit the 1st 2000 miles, 2nd full syn at 5000 (the 18 will get it at 5k) and than reliously changed every 5k with full syn. Both cars have ticka ticka ticka ticka about 50 percent of cold engine starts since they were new (bought both cars brand new, first had 7 miles, 18 had 9 miles when I bought)

 

QUESTION, How long does the car sit between last use and next startup (cold)? Do YOU change the oil or do you have it done by a shop/dealer?

 

That is the thing. No rhyme or reason to how long it sits, or weather it is cold or hot out. It can be when the engine sat overnight, or all day at work. It is generally on a long overnight or more sit. Often, my car sits from Sat nights to sometime Monday. Sometimes it ticks, sometimes nothing. When I flew to Florida in March, I got picked up by airport, and driven home by them, so my car sat for 6 days without being started in my driveway. When I first started it, no noise. Sometimes, if it drive it to lunch during the week, start car at 12, get back at 1pm. When I leave work by 5 or 6pm, sometimes the tick happens, sometimes it does not.
As far as oil, I use full syn mobile 1 or royal purple full syn. I change it myself. First car was switched to full syn at 2995 miles. 2nd full syn lof at 5000 miles, then every 5 after that. The 2018 I switched to full syn at 2000 miles, and ill do it again at 5000, and do 5k intervals after that. Always have. All of my cars. The 2012 3.6liter 300 I had, had the same exact ticking characteristic, same circumstances. Both cars run flawless, with plenty of power, not one iota of a misfire, and I get great mpg. I fed the 2012 5w30, as cap asked for, and i use 5w 20 in the 2018, as directed by cap. Also, interestingly enough, the 2018 300 I rented, in March, also ticked like that sometimes, after overnight sit. I begining to think it is normal. But I just want to make sure engine damage isnt happening. The noise never got louder or worse or more frequent in my old 2012 3.6 300, even after 85,000 miles. The only reason i traded the 2012 was because I saw my red 2018 on the lot, and fell in love, but that 2012 ran flawless, except for the occassional cold engine ticka ticka ticka, that now my 2018 does. Since new, both cars.

 

I don't have strong knowledge of the 3.6 motors workings, but I do know that they use a cartridge type oil filter vs a spin on. I was thinking perhaps an oil bleed down(filter check valve) possible situation. I also am aware of a couple of oil pump/ and control solenoid TSB's for the 3.6 motor.As they were used in many models of Chrysler/Dodge models. You may want to check with your dealer about any TSB notices for your NICE new 300!(a little envious..they are a nice car!)

 

It's not uncommon to hear that with some of the 300's.
It is usually a tick from the injectors.
Pretty common, and not really a problem.
And it does go away after the engine has been running a couple of minutes.

It's the tick that keeps going after the engine has been running a while that you have to worry about.

 

I always buy the filters straight from Chrysler, according to my vin. No aftermarket filters for me. I def think it is more of a valve train type tap, and it literally lasts a few seconds right after that initial start. I had an oil analysis done a few times with the 2012. Always came back positive, with no abnormal metal contamination, or anything like that. No gas in the oil or any other contaminants to indicate any issues. I will at some point leave it with the dealership, on an overnight sit, to see If they hear it. Hopefully they will be able to tell me if I should worry or not. I'm more inclined to think I am ok tho. As with my 2012, I will keep this one 6 to 7 years, and I do have the full Maxcare warranty, therefore I'm protected. I keep all receipts for the full syn oil, as well as mopar filters I buy. I'll tell u what, if in 2024 25 and these cars are the same, I'll get another. I may just upgrade to the 5.7. My 05 had the 5.7, and that too gave me 7 years 100k miles of great service. A kid who lives in my neighborhood bought that silver C from me when I got my 2012 3.6, and he still has it. I hear it go past my house regularly. I'm pretty sure he is pushing 200k by now, based on convo I have had with him at the local Wawa. That 5.7 had done funky ticks as well, but she still kicks. I have faith in my beautiful 300, and Chrysler, that my car will treat me well. Ill be lost when I can't get this car anymore. I work for Ford, and they do not make a nice rwd sedan anymore. I have an 03 mach 1 DOHC 4.6 mustang with a procharger. A Mustang as a daily doesnt work for me. I refuse to get a fwd sedan, but I insist on American. I pray Chrysler keeps the 300 name alive, maybe in the form of a newer gen E class structure, or fulfill the rumors of an Alfa Romeo Guilia structure based 300. Otherwise I'll have to check out Cadillac, or worse, Europe (BMW or the such) What ever we gotta do, we gotta keep the Chrysler name alive! Sorry to get off topic, and thank u all for your time and input. Any advise y'all have is appreciated.

 

Ok, I think I know the tap you are talking about. My 04 Intrepid with the 3.5 had it.
When you start the car you get a sound almost like a chattering sound for a few seconds that seems to wind down quickly.
In my case, it did it when it needed an oil change.
When I changed the oil, it went away for a few of months and when it came back, I changed the oil again.
I used mobil1 synthetic with MoPar filter 090 which was the correct filter for that car. Walmarts sells synthetic oil in 5-quart jugs very cheap. I would also throw in a blue bottle of STP oil treatment because the car had 160,000 miles on it.
I tried some common at walmarts aftermarket filters, but the ones I tried were even worse for it.

Mind you, I was changing the oil more on a regular oil change basis, even though synthetic lasts longer, but I had already planned on more frequent oil changes, anyway.
I lean towards the idea that the oil filter has a stuck valve in it, that is letting oil drain back down that needs to stay up in the engine.
I've heard from others that there are some better and more expensive filters that will stop that.

Here is a technical breakdown of some common filters, and complaints against them, along with the good to be found.
It's worth reading. MoPars are made by Champion and Purolator.
https://www.austincc.edu/wkibbe/oilfilterstudy.htm