Comments: 1-15, 16-17
I hope there is enough room.
To start with from the begining the engine has spark knocked. Per owners book this is OK only if it is not a heavy spark knock. Being a mechanic I see this is a poor electonic set up, it cannot adjust the timing quick enough to compensate for varying loads.
So far the valley intake gasket has blown out twice.
Several oil leaks have been fixed including the rear main seal.
It was taken to the shop for a total of 5 times for noise in the rear end before they decided to replace the whole assembly on the 5th trip.
The side steps broke, the cup holder broke and the 12 volt acc plug has never worked, even after they fixed it.
The battery died after only one year, the poor goodyear tires wore out at 22,000 miles, brakes soon followed at 24,000.
The transmission has harsh engagement into overdrive.
The lastest thing to happen was it started overheating at 46,000 miles, up to 260 degrees. The water pump failed along with the thermostat housing and seal. The heater control valve also leaked and the radator was stopped up. Do change the antifreeze at 20,000 mile intrevals or else it will cost you big.
The above problems had my van in the shop and cost 1800.00 bucks to fix. I am glad I bought the extended warranty.
I forgot, the ignition lock also failed and we could not get the key into it to start the van. This required a tow to the shop and 4 days to wait on parts.
I have also been complaining about poor driveability, the things pulls to the center of the road and wanders the road constant. It is real bad when my 22 year old Chevy truck is more dependable than a new Dodge Van. Not saying much for Dodge!! I hope they are better on the race track than the road.
Poor electronic timing control spark, knocks all the time and sucks intake gaskets like a kid with candy.
I've just started having problems with my 98 dodge ram (about 37K miles). It has developed a loud knocking when under any load (..like driving up a hill). First attempt at the dealer resulted in a replacement of the intake manifold plenum gasket (..$400). Dealer claimed the gasket was leaking oil in the engine and that was causing the spark knock. Wrong... I still have the knock.
It goes back to the dealer to give them another try. I don't know what other options I have at this point.
Put a higher octane fuel in it or try replacing the spark plugs. If it's got a 5.9 they run best when used with 93 octane fuel.
I have a Ram 1500, 5.9L 2WD with 35,000 miles. While pulling my 4600lb camper I noticed a knocking sound. I checked the oil and it was in the add area of the oil stick. For the rest of the trip I had to add 2 quarts of oil every hour. One private mechanic stated my engine was to small. The Dodge dealer stated it was the intake manifold gasket. This truck has already been serviced for so many other problems (brakes at 12,000, cruise control, electrical problems, steering pump, pulling to one side) Do I fix it or sell it?
Well first off just because a person has a problem with a brand doesn't mean that the brand is not dependable. Each manufacture has good and bad cars of the same model. My dad bought a new Chevy and has had his AC unit broke with radiator fluid leaking in side the passenger compartment three times in a row. His engine also misses. I own a dodge ram with a 5.9L engine has been very dependable to me. The magnum engines run hot because of the high tempature thermostats that are 195 degrees. If you change the thermostat to a 180 degree than this will help the engine to run cooler. It will not effect the computer or emissions. This well also help on towing and stop overheating.
I recently purchased a 99 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4, with a 5.2L 318. Has sucked oil and shot black smoke since I got it. I replaced the intake gasket (the only thing covered under warranty) Flushed the emissions/fuel systems, hand cleaned the throttle body, replaced the forward O2 sensor and it still runs very rough and drinks oil like water. I used to worry about gas mileage, try oil mileage! I still think it is a great truck and would buy again. However, Dodge service isn't too good. One dealer actually told my there was nothing wrong with a terrible idle, a check engine light and black smoke coming out the tailpipe! Research the service department before you buy.
I purchased a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.9 engine and also experience a spark knock, since new. I have had the dealer service the truck for the problem, only to be told the EPA requirements resulted in the knocking. I think this is a terrible problem, doesn't everybody know spark knock is harmful to an engine? I am very disappointed with Chrysler. Unfortunately for me, the sole reason why I bought Dodge,was for the Chrysler acclaimed: "Worlds Finest Engines". I really feel cheated. Thank You.
I bought a 1998 Dodge ram 1500 regular cab magnum v6 in 1997. The exhaust manifold bolts broke off of the passenger side resulting in a gargling engine sound. I diagnosed what was wrong and took the truck in to have that side's manifold bolts hand tapped out and replaced at the dealer. Not more than 6 months later the driver side manifold bolts broke off flush with the head and not wanting to have the cost of dealer work done (this time it was out of warranty) I took it to a precision auto care place and they told me that they had a guy who could do it. Well you get what you pay for. less that 3 months later the same side was loose again and when I checked the manifold closely, I found a sheet metal screw going in at an angle somehow holding the back of the manifold on. Well third time is a charm, I took the truck to a full service garage and told him to remove both manifolds, pull both heads, send the heads to a machine shop to get the bolt holes drilled out and retooled, and then re-gasket and assemble it all back together. While the mechanic thought I was crazy for going that far, I haven't had any problems since then. The truck's paint has held up great. I put Line-x spray in liner on the bed and I'll swear by it. Now the truck is knocking and misfiring in fifth gear, and I have noticed a lack of engine power overall. So am going to get replacement spark plugs and cables, and a new air filter. Hopefully that will give me some of the horsepower back to pull the uhaul trailer I rented for the weekend.
Thanks! -Joe in Alabama, Georgia, and NC.
I bought a Dodge 1500 Ram Van... for work. I drive a lot, but have had way too many problems compared to others who drive the same amount, but fords.
As listed:
*can't keep the front end lined up, go through tires like crazy.
*oil pump went out first, I knew this was gonna be a bad deal.
*Sure enough, knock in the long block, replace engine.
*Darn, tranny blew... buy another..
Total cost so far in repairs: $7865.
I have a 1998 Dodge Ram Sport, quad cab, with a 360, 5.9L engine. I bought this truck new and I have never had any problems with it. I have put headers, K&N clean air intake system (Generation 3), Performance computer, and accel supercoil. Like I said, I never had problems out of my truck and it has 57,000 miles on it now. I am not saying that I never will have problems with it, but so far so good. Maybe my truck wasn't built on Friday.
I bought a 2001 Ram 4x4 1500 w. a 318 & automatic. Been happy with it over all. Problems have had with it have been the steering pump whining right out of the dealers lot. Turned right around & was told it was "acceptable". Whatever I said, it's under warranty. Well within a year it gave out on my step daughter while she was using the truck to move. Have 33000mi on it now & for 15000 of it the 'rear' rear has been whining @ 60 mph. I had a 98 ram that did the same thing & at 20,000 miles I had the dealer chk it & to check the transmission slipping & when I called to see what was found later in the day they said it was ready to pick up. They had it rebuilt the rear the same day & had all the parts the rebuild it with. Makes one think there's a common problem there. As far as the transmission the 98 & the 01 have slipping problems. When I asked the dealer to check the trans in the 98 they told me it was going to cost 75 dollars to remove 2 screws to take the CB radio out of the way to get to the diagnostic plug under the dash. They soon found out this didn't sit well with me & finally agreed to remove it. I have the same slipping it the 01 truck. I keep it in a garage always & if the thuck sits for more than a day & start it to back out of the garage you it won't move for a few seconds. The tach drops the normal amount of R's, but just sits there. The tires wore out way prematurely as well. I have a new set on now & will be more diligent in rotating them, but for 25,000 miles & the outside tread to be completely gone on one front tire & the not as much on the other tire tends to make you think somethings amiss there too. We'll see with the new set. And the trans. Thanks From South jersey...
I just baught a 1996 dodge ram 1500 I haven't had any worrys about it so far, but the is a weird noise that only happens when I am driving and I had the dealer look at the brakes and rear end and they say that both are good, but the noise is still there its kinda like brakes rubbing, but I don't know if any of you think of some thing let me know at shawns56@hotmail.com thanks.
I just bought a 1996 dodge ram 1500 I haven't had any worries about it so far, but the is a weird noise that only happens when I am driving and I had the dealer look at the brakes and rear end and they say that both are good, but the noise is still there its kinda like brakes rubbing, but I don't know if any of you think of some thing let me know at shawns56@hotmail.com thanks.
I am traveling in a 1997 Dodge Ram Van and the GEN light has turned on? Does anyone know what this indicates? Please reply to mcahen@bumshirts.com.
There is a TSB for the spark knock in the Dodge 5.2 and 5.9 engines. It involves re-routing/positioning of the plug wires and the purchase of a couple of wire clips to re-route the main ignition wire on the top side of the valve cover. Good plugs and wires and this TSB should improve things.
I have a 1998 dodge 1500 truck that will not idle until after I have driven it for a minute or so. Then I can put it in park and it will idle fine. However, once I stop and turn it off and turn it back on it will not idle again. Any thoughts on what the problem is?