1997 Dodge Ram Pickup Sport from North America - Comments

The first thing to go was the O2 sensor.

Second was the catalytic converter.

Steering wheel has worn out on the top.

I replaced both rotors.

I replaced the transmission cooling line (the rubber one)

I've replaced the fan clutch, thermostat (X3), water pump and flushed the cooling system with a 6 hour flush.

Well, I can happily say that my transmission is not causing me too much grief. My one problem is that soon after the dealership replaced the catalytic converter (warranty) my truck started to overheat. I've replaced the fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, coolant, temp sensor and transmission cooling line. I understand that most of these things are made to wearout after time and I cannot complain. Still it overheats if I drive it for more than 30 minutes. My job is exactly 30 minutes away from home and no problems, anything after that and it slowly creeps up and past the center line. A friend at work knows a lot about Dodge truck problems, he says his brother is a big muckety muck at the Dodge assembly plant. He has given me a myriad of things that could cause it. One of which makes a little bit of sense, exhaust is backing up into the engine and causing it to overheat. If anyone has a problem with overheating and has had it resolved please drop me an Email at johnnamy@bellsouth.net.

I have had overheating problems myself. The truck would do OK in mornings bad in afternoon. I couldn't tow anything without it overheating.

I start looking for a pattern and noticed that climbing hills, towing, and warm ambient temp. all were factors that affected the cooling system. I have had my converter changed, but not sure that that had any affect on the cooling, though it could if there is too much back pressure.

I started reading some info on the net about the this truck and found that the 5.9 equipped with the snowplow would overheat with the plow on later read that the same equipped truck was know to overheat without the plow attached. Hmmm.

I replaced the fan clutch with a heavy duty unit. Which would increase the percentage of speed from 50% to 90% of the motor speed. That definitely created a more fan noise. But so far it has been worth it. I can tow a fairly heavy load up hill on a 95 degree day and the needle won't move.

Unfortunately, I do have a transmission that is about to go out. As I was changing the fluid I discovered a small piece of what looks like a spacer. There is a noticeable whine in reverse. So I am guessing it came from that gear. With many transmission problems as I have read about I was a little concerned. Now, I am part of the weak transmission club.

All in all, even with the problems, I still like the truck over the Ford I had. It is easy to work on. All makers have their problems and I prefer Dodge problems over the others. Because I can fix them for the most part. I haven't done anything with the transmission yet, but I am not afraid to jump into it and remove it. I won't do the actual repair though.