hi everyone just bought a 03 dodge ram 1500 2wd hemi has 23,000 miles

someone mention that i may need to change valve spring around 20,000 miles

is that true the truck runs great

where are those located

want too make sure this isnt true

 

I have never heard of changing them at a certain mile esp. one that low.
But the valve springs on the 03 Hemis are notorious for being crap. They are directly under the valve covers and replacing them with 6.1 springs is the way to go just look around on here you will find every one loves them

 

Wow! 23000 miles on an 03'! 03's are known for valve spring failure. I think 03's were the only year they had that problem. I had 75000 miles on mine before I changed them out. I changed them out just to be safe. A friend of mine had 95000 miles on his before a spring broke. They updated the springs and if you order 16 new ones it cost under 30 or 40 dollars. Once you change them out you will never have to worry about it again scince they updated them. It is a PITA!!! To change them though! If you want piece of mind change them! That's what I did! You might have 200000 miles on the clock before one breaks. But you never know. Just google hemi valve spring failure.

 

Was it really that hard? Ive read all around and the biggest complaint is the special tool?

 

'Tis true - the '03 and VERY EARLY '04 Hemi engines used weaker valve springs which have broken on many trucks although some have reported 200,000+ miles on original '03 springs without issue.
Problem is - if one fails it could potentially grenade the entire engine. Personally I'd look to upgrade to the newer 5.7 or even the 6.1 springs at some point in the future. At a little over 20,000 miles on the engine I wouldn't make it a pressing issue, but something I'd do in the next year or so...

 

If you buy a spring compression tool, it's pretty easy. Though in fairness, I've only done it on heads that were off an engine. Look at how much room you have around your valve covers. You just need to remove those and it's pretty straight forward. You can find a lot of videos on youtube showing how to use the spring compression tool, but it's really simple.

 

My next oil change i have to do head gaskets so i guess im just going to take the heads off

 

If you do this with the heads on, you will need a special valve spring compressing tool.
The normal ones that people have tried to make work by modifing and butchering etc, just haven't done the job.
Weedahoe makes these tools and sells them. They work and make the whole thing less of a pain than it is.
So either go for the special tool, remove the heads and do it that way or just don't bother.
Those really are your only options.
Al.

 

I'm still on my originals 120,000, but I will be changing them to go with the new cam (when I get around to it). This is an absolute must do if you upgrade the cam.

 

Yeah im just going to take the heads of and go from there, its much easier or so it seems!