Again, my 2003 Ram was bought blown up. This is a pic of the blown piston.




I bought it from a second party so I can't speak to the previous owner. The piston blew out and the shards seem to have plugged up the oil pump. Hence, I believe the engine finally died of oil starvation. The rebuilt engine includes a re-manufactured crankshaft, bored 0.030" over, hyperteuric pistons, new rings and bearings, new timing chain, new lifters, heads reworked and all new gaskets. My new engine runs great, except for a flashing MIL light under full throttle while towing that stops when I ease off. I was told it was detonation. But I don't want a repeat. Can you hear detonation? One guy said he thinks it's a leaking injector, another guy said 87 octane was to low. What do you think?

 

My guess would be the valve spring let loose. 03's were known for valve spring failure. However, most have problems of super rough idle when it lets go. I've only heard of a handle full of failures compared to the thousand of trucks that are out there.

 

As said above.
03's were prone to valve spring failure.
The fix is fitting 16x 6.1 engine exhaust springs to all the 03 valves.
That's the cheapest and most efficient way to stop that.
Plus...... I'd personally never ever run a Hemi on cheap *** fuel. Detonation kills the top ring landings on these Hemi pistons. Towing or running a tune using 87 will kill a Hemi.
Always use 89 or better yet 91. Despite what people say about you dont need such a high grade fuel and savings BS.
Heck..... You bought a truck that gets ****ty gas mileage anyway. So whats a few cents extra on gas for piece of mind?
👍
Al.

 

My 08 dodge ram has a 4.7 engine, and I have to 91 octane because the gas around here is such poor quality my truck would not run worth a damn. So I would expect you guys with the Hemi engines would run nothing but the 91 octane fuel or better with your engines to prevent fuel related engine problems.

 

I agree, I knew the mileage would be terrible. But, since 91 octane has more explosive power, right? That means that fuel costs more, but I would get farther on a tank. I reprogrammed my 99 ram with a Hypertec unit for 91 octane and got another mile or two per gallon per the overhead display, but I never verified it manually.

 

Lean mix can cause that problem. I'd check your injectors. Might be worthwhile to replace or rebuild the injector on that cylinder.

I'd run a couple full tanks of premium, and treat each tank with a cleaner as well. See if that makes a difference. The injectors won't immediately be cleaned, have patience. Probably what you'll notice almost immediately is the timing will not retard as much. Perhaps cause the computer to relearn (pull power for a few minutes).

I can recommend Lucas fuel treatment, have had good luck with that product.

Would be a good idea to replace the valve springs as someone already mentioned... pretty cheap insurance on your rebuild investment.

Good luck!

 

03 V-10's had spring issues as well? I didn't know that. I thought it was a Hemi problem.

 

87 octane is wayyyyyyy too low for the V10 Engine with .030 over bore... you're going to need to bump it up to 91 Octane.

When you bump it up to 91, you should get rid of that flashing check engine light (which indicates a misfire and/or knock)... so try that first....

Also, with a .030 Over bore, you likely need a custom tune, as the compression has dropped significantly enough to require pretty serious adjustments to the timing maps....

So I would start there if I was you.

 

What's with the V10 comments?
Has the op got a V10?
I just assumed he had a Hemi.
To the op. All my comments are in ref to a Hemi.
Al.

 

yes he's got a V10 in his 03 Ram...