Help with Spark Plugs

zbadboy · #1 08-23-2009, 06:24 PM

First off I am not trying to start another spark Plug thread. However, I have spent the better part of the day searching a bunch of different sites including this one and have now decided to register and get some help.

My girl friend owns a 2001 dodge Ram with the 5.9L Motor. She has been experiencing some pinging and recently it has been running like crap. Her check engine light came on and the code was for intermittent spark on the number one cyclinder. I pulled the plug and it had deposits on the bent ground electrode and it also had a notch in it. I have not yet checked the other plugs.

She is running Champion RC12LC4 plugs. I have read good and bad about these. I have also read to use the Autolite 3293's and also the NGK ZFR6F-11 and ZFR5F-11....as well as ZFR5-1???

She has owned this truck since new and has maintained it regularly. It has 120K on it and is stock other then a K&N Filter and Flowmaster muffler. This is the first time this has happened.

Recommendations? Also, is there something else that could be causing this problem? Thanks allot for the help.

Jeff

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Dodge Forums!

kev2 · #2 08-23-2009, 06:45 PM

first choice is OEM listed on the emissions label - NGK makes a good plug us old farts have a dislike for chumpions.....just cross referance ngk to the oem number.

Next get a free code scan at one of the parts stores...post the codes Pxxxx.

search this site for tips on "intake manifold plenum pan gasket" that sounds like a likely cause of the drivability issue...

don't worry I or someone else will add the info .... way toocommon

Laramie1997 · #3 08-23-2009, 07:33 PM

Okay, more than likely, the pinging is from a blown plenum gasket. There is a DIY in the FAQ sticky that will show you how to check for this. In the mean time, you can run the Autolite 3293 plug, and that will help with pinging. The AL plug is a love or hate plug for your motor. They are cheap, and some of the magnums really run well on them, and some run like crap. The heat range is different on the AL and that is what's going to help settle the ping for awhile. This is a temp fix only! If the gasket is blown, you need to replace it with a fresh one, and a new belly pan. Another option is the M1 intake, but I don't think that would be down your alley. The upside of the intake is it eliminates the belly pan all together.

EDIT: Being a 2001, you can key on and off the ignition 3 times and it will display the codes. (Key off then on, not running) All of the 2nd gens do this, but pre 98 rams only flash the CEL light X amount of times for the code. Works in a pinch, but sitting there counting 41 flashes is BS.

BuffDad · #4 08-23-2009, 08:32 PM

I had a set of autolight truck plugs and they were fantastic. they have thicker electrodes, very tolerant of heat, and really last.

Ram15002ndGen · #5 08-23-2009, 10:37 PM

Blown Plenum - Nuff said. Causes all your other problems.

zbadboy · #6 08-23-2009, 10:46 PM

Thanks for the input. I am leaning heavily toward the blown plenum as well. Already reading up on it. Will probably be ordering the parts in the AM.

Sheriff420 · #7 08-24-2009, 05:59 PM

doesn't a bent electrode come from debris in the cylinder?
RC12LC4 is the oem plug. people say that the champion truck plug 4436 run better but i didn't like them.
i haven't heard anything bad about the ngk plugs.
my favorite plugs for my truck are the Bosch platinum +4 #4418. a few people have given me crap for liking the +4s but i swear my truck likes them better than any other plug.

Laramie1997 · #8 08-24-2009, 06:07 PM

Another person in the last week talking about liking a bosch plug. That's odd.

zbadboy · #9 08-24-2009, 06:53 PM

The only thing I like bosch plugs in is my Mercedes. I have tried them in other vehicles with poor results.

I have decided to do the TSB for rerouting the plug wires and I put in the Autolite 3293's (because they are cheap) to see if this solves the problem.

Once again this is my girl friends truck so I do not know it as well as she does. I don't drive it that often. She said it hasn't pinged in quite sometime. She also checked with the mechanic she knows. She was the receptionist at that shop for 6 years. He told her he did not think it was the plenum gasket because she had black deposit build up on the spark plug and he said it should have been greyish colored build up. I'm sure this will spark some comments.

I read that the TSB was changed from using the vaccume method of checking the plenum to pouring dye into the oil and running it for 200-300 miles and then using a black light down the throttle body to see if you see any oil. Evidently the vaccume method would only work if you had a large leak, whereas a small leak would go undetected. I have the dye and was considering trying this method. Has anyone tried or heard of this method of testing?

thanks

Laramie1997 · #10 08-24-2009, 08:48 PM

I've heard of it, but most plenum leaks can be easily found by just taking the air box off and looking down into the intake with a flashlight looking for oil pooling. A little grime close to the PCV Valve is normal to a point.

The dye sounds neat, but I'm wary of the results.