I'm new to this but I'll give it a shot. I have a 98 dodge ram 1500 4x4.,5.9l with 130000 miles on it. This what I've done so far: cold air intake,new plugs(diamond E3),wires,cap,rotor,msd coil,190 deg thermostat,new cat and o2 sensors,and tranny was rebuilt about 10000 miles ago. Now the problem:In the last couple of weeks I noticed that when I took the transmission out of overdrive when goin up a long hill, my check engine light would begin flashing and my engine sounded like it was pinging and when I put my foot in the throttle it would back fire and get going,maybe a little loss in power but not really noticeable. I get to the top of the put the tranny back into overdrive,it shifts and everything is fine. So the next time I left the trans in O/D and went up the hill again.Trans shifted out of O/D sure enough same thing. Can someone tell what is going on.

 

Welcome to the site. What trouble code is showing? I will move this thread to the second generation Ram section,
FF

 

Flashing CE typically means the catalytic converter is clogged. Go to a muffler shop and have them pressure test the cat. I'll bet top dollar it's bad. Be proactive and change the O2 sensors as well, which is typically recommended every 50-65K miles.

 

Lose the E3 plugs, route the wires per this TSB http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18-48-98/18-48-98-v8.htm and check the plenum(do a search here for info on that. If it is blown... well not if, it is blown. Fix it, then have the cat checked as VW has stated.

 

when i had e3s one of them went bad and when i would go up a hill it would spark knock bad and the cel would flash and it was down on power. so i would deffiantly get rid of them

 

What plugs would you recommend? Everything is starting to point to that pesky plenum gasket. I haven't put it on a code machine but I'll almost guarantee its goin to say the front O2 sensor is bad, which will confirm the plenum gasket. Oh well another 49.00 down the drain.

 

stock champions are best. i believe the part number is rc12lc4, or rc12yc4. its one of those, but it will also say on the radiator support one the white sticker with all the trucks info on it.

 

champion copper plugs are the best.....i ran e3's and they are junk with our trucks....got all 8 Champion plugs from the dealer for $28 bucks....


and +1 with Zman, you need to change your plenum...

 

Flashing CEL could also mean a misfire. Which yes could be caused by crappy plugs but could also be a cracked head.

 

See if your oil is 'milky' similiar to coffee with creamer. If it is black then the head is fine,
FF