Drove the truck for the first time in over 4 months last night. Took the family to a friends house about 15 miles away. On the way back I started getting some serious power loss and hesitation at highway speed. She just didn't want to go up hills. I heard what sounded like a plastic cap "pop" under the hood, but couldn't identify it, nor did it do it again on the drive home. I essentially coasted into the driveway with the truck trying to shut down. Turned her off for a few seconds to let my family into the house and then turned it back on. Everything purr'd and no hesitation issue.

I did notice a serious hissing sound coming from the air intake area. I couldn't identify it with my flashlight so it sat until this morning. I took the air filter out (previous owner must not have changed it in over 200,000 miles (yuk - will need to replace that). But then I noticed that there were only 3 bolts holding the "air intake" onto the top of the engine but there appeared to be holes for 4. (cyan arrow) Is there suppose to be 4? Or is this a Chrysler thing to make holes for 4, but only use 3 to cut costs?

Upon further inspection near the hole, I found where the hissing noise was coming from. A dry rotted 3" vacuum hose (red arrow). What is his hose called so that I know what I am asking for at O'Reily's. Right now, I wrapped it with electrical tape and the hissing went away.

 

There is suppose to be 4 bolts. Remove one and match it up at a hardware store(or auto parts). I would also get a TB gasket(the one between the TB and intake manifold) and replace it. As far as the hose goes, that is just vacuum hose you can purchase at your local parts store. Get a Haynes manual while you are there.(which will have the proper torque specs for the TB). And obviously replace the hose. And there is also a round gasket that goes on top of the TB between it and the air box, if there was not one there.



And one more thing. While you have the TB off, get a flashlite and small mirror and look around inside of the intake. If you have oil pooling do a search here for "plenum".

 

before starting the repair, stick a long screwdriver or something down the hole and check there is not a broken bolt stuck in the manifold. hopefully not, but if there is, you'll need to extract it.

do replace both those gaskets zman mentioned, they're only $1-2 each at any parts store.

 

Oh, I do have oil oil in there and need to replace the plenum. But - am not financially prepared nor have the slot of time available that is needed for that repair. Right now I will replace the hose, the gasket and buy a gasket that was never there. I will also get the bolt and a new filter. May go 14x3 filter is the price is right.

 

i was going to suggest not even looking at the plenum. if you've never fixed it, its leaking and if you haven't checked it yet its better being in blissful denial rather than knowing that its leaking like every other junkass dodge.

beware of the round open filter. they are reported to be noisy.

 

+1, not to mention you will lose bottom end with the 14x3. And not that it matters, but I hate that noise DV mentioned.

 

Ok, I replaced everything discussed above except for the plenum. Now I am starting to think it is bad gas from sitting at nearly "E" since February. I will start a new thread based on "Bad Gas."

Thanks guys. And btw, NAPA Auto Parts matched the throttle bottle bolt for 73cents.