I just registered my truck after having it sit since February. Yes, it has sat in the driveway during the end of the winter and all through the summer 100's. And it has sat with the same little amount of gas the entire time. It has been just above "E" the entire time. Yesterday, I filled her up and drove around town. Then off to some friends house about 10 miles down the interstate. As we were heading home, I noticed that I was loosing power. The horsepower was just dropping right off, and the engine hesitated so badly that the transmission was trying to shift all over to keep up with the 2200rpms down to 1000rpms, back up to 2200rpms. Then barely keeping her running on slower roads, and just limped into the driveway before she finally died.

Today I replaced a dry rotted vacuum hose, put a gasket between the air filter box and the throttle body (apparently the PO didn't think it needed one). And added the 4th bolt holding the throttle body to the intake manifold (again the PO must have thought that 3 was all that it needed). I put a brand new air filter in it, and started her up. Prrrrrrrrrrrr. NICE!

Took her out on the highway for a test drive. Got off the next exit and started up the hill to head home......it happened again. I lot any sort of juice in the gas pedal. I had to feather it all the way home. When I was coasting down hills, the rpms were surprisingly low, around 300-400. Limped home and once again, after sticking her in park and jumping out to look under the hood, she finally died.

Started her back up and she proceeded to surge the engine slower and slower and slower until she died.

Could this be the result of sitting for so long with hardly any gas in her? Will this go away on its own?

I am open to ideas. This is my first Dodge and the $3800 bargin has been nothing but a heartache since Feb. Help me love my baby. LOL

 

did you clean all the sensors on the throttle body? that could cure your idling problem

 

Check your fuel pressure.

 

Id start with the cheapest thing and get some quality fuel treatment, ive always used marvel mystery oil. It probably wouldnt hurt to run a cap full of seafoam through your vaccuum lines either.

 

its likely you have water in the gas from condensation. put in some fresh gas and some fuel treatment that claims to eliminate the water. heet is one.

 

No. Didn't know there were any. And need pictures to know what I am looking for. Anyone have the FSM in PDF format?

How?

How do you run seafoam through the lines? Which lines?

 

you IAC prob needs a good cleaning, if it hasnt ran in a while it could be stuck ?

 

IAC? (off to the glossary section)

 

idle air contol, sensor on back of throttle body, prob has carbon build up. your trhottle body prob needs a good cleaning anyways look purdy dirty

 

I did see the butterflies had a good carbon build up. So I hit them with some brake cleaner and sopped it up with a paper towel. So are you saying that I should take the Throttle Body off, disconnect all the wires/hoses clean it, and then try to remember what plugs in to what? LOL