A friend has a '14 Ram with the EDIT: 5.7 HEMI. On cold start up it has a rattling noise that sounds exactly like a lifter to me. It only makes the noise for about a second, then goes away. Doesn't do that when restarted warm, only upon a cold start (sat for about 4 hours when I heard it). I looked for a service bulletin on the web and couldn't find one. He's taking it to the dealer to get checked out sometime this week. Anyone else having this problem, or know of a service bulletin that I couldn't dig up?

A 1500 with a 6.4 hemi?

No, sorry, I was mistaken...it's a 5.7. Edited above.

What oil and what filter is he using?

I'll have to ask. It has less than 7,000 miles, and he uses the trucks computerized "oil life" system to dictate when he changes oil. Unless there was a something like a 500 mile service, it may have never had the oil changed. I'll find out... Edit: I'm really more interested to know if it's a known/documented problem so he doesn't get BS'd by the dealer when he takes it in. It's under warranty, so they'll fix whatever it is if they take the time to duplicate the problem. Regardless, I'll get the answer to your question.

Most modern day engines seem to be pretty noisy on startup. My wife's 2010 Edge is, My 08 Ram was, we have a few new vans in our fleet at work and they all sound kinda crappy when cold, and fine when warm.

Our 06 beater van at work with 240K on the clock doesn't make a sound when cold though LOL.

I had that on a 5.7 after oil change at a quick lube. The filter had no check valve and let oil drain back. A MOPAR filter fixed it.

Also a slight chance its an exhaust leak/warped manifold that sounds like a lifter. I had a left manifold that would only leak when cold then sealed up. I took I to a dealer and they said manifold leak... new manifold fixed it (over 100k).

Wow, who would have thought. EDIT: He just told me that it has its original oil and filter at less than 7K miles. Oil life indicator says it has 15% oil life remaining, which he'll have changed at the dealer while they're looking at this other issue.

A lot of stuff going on inside that newer engine with the MDS, VCT junk in it so I have heard several almost new trucks with little ticking noises like that at start up.

I can only say it is not typical. Mine does not do that. The recommended oil change interval is 10K. I did that for the first change but now doing it at 8K, same as our fleet where I work.
I did have to have an oil sensor replaced last week that threw a code. I am at just over 22,000 right now.
Craig

It certainly isn't a noise I would consider to be "normal" either. As I said in the initial post, it sounds exactly like a lifter rattling to me. I'm sure, whatever the cause is, it will be quite difficult to trace down as it only does it when absolutely cold, and only lasts for a second (or so). He hasn't taken it to the shop yet. Once I get some feedback I'll be sure to post the findings.