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Dodge Ram: Problems & Solutions
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Just an observation.
The Ford 6.0 liter diesel seems to be giving problems--not the engine itself from what I've seen so far, but the electronic controls.
The Chevy Duramax may be fine, but it has aluminum heads, and that concerns me as it seems to me aluminum will expand and contract at a different rate and possibly amount than the cast block, which could cause head gasket problems. I haven't heard of anything definite on them, but I want an engine that will go for the long haul.
The Cummins HO is relatively new, but all I've heard so far is good.
One thing I heard someone say about a Dodge diesel truck a friend owned is the fuel filter stopped him, apparently in the middle of nowhere, he had to call for someone to come get him going, consisting of changing it, and it cost him $800.00. Now I'm sure the majority of that was getting the someone to and from where he was at the hourly mechanic's rate, but that also concerns me.
I also have a friend who has one that is several years old, and when he bought it, having owned diesels before and using them on the farm, I told him to get the manuals on the engine, put a couple of extra fuel filters under his seat, along with the tools he would need to change it in the dark, and learn to do it himself. He got the manual and said it was so confusing even his brother, who works on his own vehicles, told him to take it to the shop to have it done and not try to do it himself.
My question to the HO owners out there is, how hard is the fuel filter to reach and change on them in the 3500 series?
Also, the horror stories about replacing the filter are bunk in my opinion. It's a simple procedure (in an '01 Ram) of removing the canister cap, pulling out the old filter, dropping in a new one, replacing the O ring, and screwing the cap back on. Priming the fuel system consists of loosening the banjo fitting on the injector pump, momentarily activating the engine starter until a small amount of fuel sprays from the loosened fitting, and then tightening the fitting. That's it!
Incidentally, rather than pay the exorbitant dealer charges for Cummins filters, try Geno's Garage in Cummin, Georgia (800-775-1715). The last time I bought fuel filters from Geno's, they charged $12.95 for the Fleetguard FS19579 fuel filters. Compare that to your friendly dealer's prices and you'll be pleasantly surprised (and probably a little PO'd at your dealer). They will also fax you info. regarding filter replacement.
Regards,
Dusty
The thing is, if it was easy enough to change and he had known how to change it himself, had the necessary tools and a spare filter or two under the seat he could have saved himself considerable cash.
Hence, the question of how hard they are to change is insurance. While I change them regularly on my farm tractors and have no problem with that, they are easy to reach, as are the injectors, which have to have the lines to each cracked to pump the air out of them after a change or the engine won't run. If the filter is hard to get to or cracking injector lines was necessary I would probably not buy a particular diesel.
Just thought you all may want to know.
Appreciate your inputs.
Jack
SC
The 48RE is based on the long family line of TorqueFlite automatics. I know very little about this transmission, except that the input, primary, and output shafts are much larger in diameter. There are more clutches and the pump is sized for the engine demand of the HO. The torque converter is Chrysler's 40+ year-old full flow design, but contains more stator vanes to handle the torque.
Someone said that they thought the clutch diameters were larger also, but I haven't seen that written anywhere. The through-put torque rating of the 48RE is 870 lbs. ft.
Regards,
Dusty
for '04 it appears that the 48RE will be the standard automatic behind all cummins powered dodge trucks. perhaps a good thing??
Thanks
As to hearing things about the tranny, I look at it this way - people love to complain, and will much more readily tell you all the bad stuff than any of the good stuff. Not hearing anything about the 48re auto tranny is a good thing!
There are two (2) fuel filters used in the fuel delivery systems on Dodge gasoline models. Both are in the fuel pump module in the fuel tank and are not considered routine maintenance items.
There is a strainer screen that is part of the fuel pump module. This is called the "inlet filter."
A second micron or final filter is an integral part of the fuel pressure regulator, also mounted to the fuel pump module.
Best regards,
Dusty
Steve
Bests,
Dusty
(Just kidding)
I've been lucky enough to get very well connected to a local Dodge technician and my dealer. Since the latest RAM platform has been introduced they have been telling me that the RAM has been the most problem free new vehicle they have seen in a while. Like anything else, there are bound to be a few problems pop up, like the early side mirrors breaking, but all-in-all the RAM has been extremely well put together and reliable.
As to your problem specifiically, the answer I received this morning is "no" that has not been a problem that has been seen here. I don't recall anyone in any of the Dodge forums remarking about this symptom, either.
The problem in this case is it hasn't thrown a code, so this one may not be as easy to find. My first reaction is this could be a loose connection at a electrical connector somewhere. Out last Chevy did exactly the same thing and after 6 months of stalling it was finally traced to a bad Idle Speed Motor.
Remain calm with the service department and let them try to resolve the issue. These are not the easiest types of problems to diagnois.
Good luck and keep us posted on the results.
Regards,
Dusty
I've read some of the posts regarding mileage and the worst I've seen is 14-16. Any suggestions?? I do have an aluminum cap on the truck which is higher than the cab so I wouldn't doubt if that would affect my MPG. Don't you think the dealer would have suggested that as a potential issue before blaming it on my driving habits.
The transmission problem required changing a govenor, they blamed my mileage on that. Let's see!! Any comments!!
I am looking for any info/fix for '03 air conditioning problems where the driver side vents blow cold air and the passenger side blow warm air!! the dealer is trying to tell me that this is normal!! if there is anyone with info please contact me via email
thanks
Jerry
Manufacturers almost always test the efficiency of the heater and air conditioner by measuring the outlet temperature at the middle outlets. However, the side or lower outlets should be within 5 or 6 degrees of the middle ones. If the deviation is greater, there is something wrong in my opinion.
Assuming a common understanding of "cold" and "warm," the problem could be a partial blockage in the system, or either the blend and/or mode doors are not coming to their correct positions.
If your service manager thinks this is normal, have your him demonstrate this to you on a few other vehicles. I', betting that it's not as "normal" as he thinks.
Best regards,
Dusty
Rick
The problems started a few months ago. Every now and then when the fuel tank is below half, with out any warning the truck just looses power and leaves me putting along the side of the road barely running. The engine is missing and sputtering and if I try to accelerate it dies but, will restart. After a while it starts running normally again. I have had it checked twice by different dealers. The first could not duplicate the problem. They even drained the tank down to near empty. The second looked at it right after one of the episodes. The engine light was still on but they said the computer only said “miss fires on three pistons”. The service rep said the tech could not determine what was causing the problem and I would have to bring it in when it was doing it or start replacing parts till they got the right one. I have keep the tank above half for the last two weeks and the problem has not surfaced.
I have looked through the previous posts but, didn’t see anything like this. I would appreciate any information anyone could offer. Thanks!
Just my two cents worth.
Jason
A while back I heard a similar story from a person who had an intermittent rough idle and an occasional "Check Engine" lamp illumination. No stalling, though. The dealer could not seem to find the problem, even after changing a fair number of parts.
About five months later he went out one day, started the truck, drove about 100 feet and the engine died. He hit the key switch and nothing. The battery was dead. They replaced the battery and since has had no reoccurences of the aforementioned symptoms! He also said that his gas mileage went up slightly.
A good friend of mine bought a '97 RAM (360, 46RE)used about a year ago. It started to randomly not shift into fourth gear and sometimes not shift out of fourth when coming to a stop. It was recording a "shift indicator" fault code. Well, he later replaced the battery after it died, and the transmission since has performed flawlessly.
I am not sure how the battery condition affects the computer systems, but I think there might be a link to some of these one-off weird symptoms.
Regards,
Dusty
It turned out to be a leaking Evaporator. The freon was low due to the leak and was causing "hot spots" on the passenger side vents. It sounded Hookie to me, but after the replacement of the evaporator and a re-charge it has been blowing cold air out of all vents.
Just something of interest to note. There are a few people having this same problem (a temperature difference) on 03/04 Jeep Grand Cherokees. Haven't heard of any fixes yet on their side, but I did post mine over there. Maybe it will help.
Steve
Bests,
Dusty
A dealer was queried as to the max recommended towing weight of this vehicle with the hemi and the HO diesel. He said with the hemi it is 10,000 pounds and the diesel 17,000. Anyone have any input on that?
The two drivers vents were putting out 55 degree air and the others were 75-80 if I remember correctly. So no, none of them were putting out the air that was in specs.
The dealer at first thought it had the dual zone temp (which it doesn't) and then maybe a blend door issue (which I thought) but it turned out to be a leaking evap.
Steve
My Dakota manual doesn't give specs for the side panel vent temperatures, but my Dodge tech said that up to a 20 degree difference is not unusual. I guess the longer runs and being further away from the evaporator cause enough heating of the air flow to make such a difference. On real hot days the side panel vents on my wife's Avalon are not as cool either.
Glad to hear they found the problem.
Bests,
Dusty
which, within a few hours I received a call and they said they fixed it .. replace mode door and
evaporator ect...(which I was told that the first dealer installed improperly, and did fail all system checks when the second dealer ran the test) Now the temp is constanst 42 degress out of all vents!! so if there is anyone with this same problem.... don't let the dealer's tell you there is no fix!! as a conclusion I have reported this dealer to to chrysler with hopes that we will get better service in the future!!!!
Jerry
Questions for those in the know.
1]How long should the brakes be expected to last?
Dealer had me change mine already. 3 weeks ago and now their begining to scream again!!
2] The Serpintine belt. How long should this thing last. Dealer is telling me it needs to be replaced, some cracks in it. They didn't have one so its on order.
I am asking because
1) I know very little about vehicles.
2) Everytime I go into dealer for a oil change it seems to end up cost 600-700 dollars. With all the stuff they want to do. Seems a bit much on a truck thats only a little over a year old.
Your comments would be much welcomed.
Thanks
Deasun
Thanks John
My '03 3500 HO six-speed with 4.10's gets 10mpg with 12,000#-16,000# behind it. Somethings wrong with your rig.
Do a search, or try looking at back messages in this forum.
Regards,
Dusty
There is also a diagnostic tool that is commercially advertised that allows one to tailor the spark advance curve and fuel mixtures for increased performance. Sorry, but I cannot tell you the name of it off hand nor the price. They advertise on the Spike channel here in Western New York State.
There are a number of companies that make larger throttlebody assemblies for the 4.7. An acquaintance of mine did his and he was quite pleased with the outcome.
Good luck,
Dusty
Second, I don't own a gasser, but if it were a diesel that stalled, I'd be checking the fuel filter first, and making sure I got good fuel. As to the 9.5 mpg, if you're towing with a Hemi you're probably doing about normal. The Hemi pays the price for all that power with awful gas mileage - part of the reason I bought a Cummins diesel - I get 16 mpg even in slow stop-and-go traffic and 20 - 21 on the highway. I did think the Hemi was supposed to do a little better while not towing though - but not much.