Ok guys, here's what the problem was: it was the catalytic. Since the car sat for so long without being driven, the cat became brittle inside and started to slowly collapse as the car was being driven. Eventually it clogged things up so bad that the car could barely run.

Funny how a problem that I was 99% sure was fuel-related turned out to be something completely different.

I was to thank you all for your excellent advice and suggestions. You Dodge guys a great group and very knowledgeable

Now I start my research on what to do about this catalytic issue. I can actually remove the whole thing as we don't have emissions testing in NH, but I'm afraid that it will be too loud. Either way, time to start researching.

Thanks again, fellas!


Alex

 

what year is your truck , you can get magnaflow cats for 80 bucks

 

$80 sounds like a good price. Where's the best place to buy it? My truck is a 99

 

The YouTube vid with sound is EXACTLY what my truck sounds like.
Fact is with the exception of "the glove" it's MY truck.

Is there another way to confirm CAT blockage WITHOUT removing it?

I intend to remove the CAT after my "nap" (not fun working under a truck when you live in the desert and it's 110 degrees outside). 1998 Dodge Ram 175K (and damn reliable work truck).

BTW - I have an Actron 9185, no codes, TPS,MAP,IS check out - fuel pres at the rail constant (45) regardless of throtle position. May check injector pulse width before removing CAT. Thanks - Bruce

 

i bought mine off amazon

 

Disconnected CAT - "loud" but great - cut out CAT, gutted it, and spliced it back in with muffler repair kit and Folgers coffee can (heat shield) - sounds great. The wife will be pleased to find out that I don't have to use her Lincoln Continental to go to the dump! Thanks - The original vid saved my *** (and a butt-load of cash).