That's what the dealership told me but I trusted my gut and decided to tear the motor down

 

Oh definitely. Can't hurt to look cuz you ain't got much to lose at this point.

 

For fellow members with ticking noises please be advised of ticking noises they ain't always as innocent as seems please check or you might end up in my shoes

 

I agree. I took mine in Friday for abnormally louder ticking than I had before. I'm still driving it till tomorrow morning then it goes in for a new motor under warranty. The mechanic that went for a ride with me said from what he could hear it will most likely need a new engine. So when they called me back Friday afternoon they said yup new engine. So don't ignore the ticking.

 

Christ, I hope I never have to run into this. I don't have the expertise to rebuild a motor or the funds to buy a new one. I think everyone with mine is okay so far. What could cause this failure? Poor maintenance? I understand the valve keeper failed but what would make the valve keeper fail?

 

With my truck I had regular Maint done by the same shop replacing my enigne. I ran Royal Purple in it changed it on time and treated it pretty good. I think like most things man made they are prone to malfuction and can have a flaw of some sort. But I think the lesson is to not ignore or accept these little noises and have them checked out. My father inlaw kept telling me oh they make that noise and it's just fine it sounds normal to me. And he know way more about vehicles then I ever will. Glad I trusted my own ears.

 

Yeah, i got to see the pictures of the bottom of the head. Thats crazy.