This might be a stupid question but what is the easiest way to tell if I need that plenum gasket fixed? My truck doesnt seem to use oil. The throttle body looks pretty good, and its generally a good performer. I just dont want to tear appart the intake and find i didnt need to. The truck does have 147k on it but only 80k on the motor. This is the first I have heard about an intake problem with a ram, everyone around here just says watch the tranny, but the motor is almost bulletproof.

 

The easiest way is to take your air cleaner off, and manually open your throttle body butterflies and look down into the intake with a flashlight. You can also use one of those flexible mirrors if you have one. But, if you see ANY oil/residue (not shiny inside) your gasket is blown. Most will back me up, but its been said if you have a 2nd gen, you have a blown gasket unless a PO has done the fix.

 

Come on, at least make some effort to find out for yourself. This has to be the number one talked about subject in here and info on it can easily be found by doing a search.

 

i did search it, i just want to make sure before i spend a day working on it when i can be enjoying it, What i saw in my throttle body just looking down it was some carbon buildup but i will be looking deeper into it,

 

i wouldn't mess with it unless you have one or more of the following problems -
excessive oil loss
fouling plugs
visible puddle of oil in the rear of the plenum
spark knock/pinging
complete lack of power. not just a little sluggish, but a LOT.

or, your replacing water pump and have a little extra time and money. with the water pump off, your 1/2 way there.

 

If the bottom of your throttle body looks like this.



And if the inside of the keg looks like this




Then you need a plenum fix.

 

wow mine looks almost new compaired to that one. I think ill leave alone for now. It sucks working in the snow anyway lol. Thanks everone, i do appreciate all the info. This is my first Dodge and I dont know much about it yet

 

Just try using some higher octane fuel and go from there

 

Thats only if your truck pings.

 

Really? Mine doesn't look anything like that.. but my gasket is toast, seafoam though, does wonders.