Here's a little background. I purchased a 1999 Dodge Ram about a month ago. Truck runs fine. This morning on my way to work I hit the highway and it wouldn't go over 25 mph and 2000 RPM. Seems as though it won't go past second gear. It also makes a buzzing sound when I hit the accelerator. Now the drive belt has been chirping for a week or so and I have to change it but I don't think that's the problem. Any ideas at all as to what could be the problem? Thanks guys I appreciate it.

 

Blown plenum causing a clogged catalytic converter. Read the Plenum thread stickied at the top of this forum.

Easy test: Remove the Pre-Cat O2 sensor from the cat, take the truck for a drive, see if it runs better. It will be loud, and will set a code, and still won't have the power it should, as the hole is rather small..... but, if it DOES run better..... there's the problem.

 

That's crazy. This whole time I was thinking it was the transmission.

 

What's crazy is the engineer that thought putting a gasket someplace that was pretty much guaranteed to blow out, in a place that you have to spend a ton of money to fix it. Or, maybe he got a good bonus for making sure the service department had something to keep them busy.

Check it out, see what happens.

 

I'll try that later on and hopefully thats the problem. Is this what I need: http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=26190

 

Yep, that's one place to get it. A member here also sells the plate, and bolts on ebay for 50 bucks. Get a fel-pro gasket set locally, along with the assorted fluids, and down the road ya go.

 

I'm not sure I can handle this job so how much should I expect to pay for this repair once I buy the gasket?

 

4 to 6 hours labor at whatever going rate is in your area. Assorted fluids (coolant, oil) shop supplies...... All said an done, including parts you buy yourself, probably north of 600 bucks..... It's really not that bad of a job to do, under 200 bucks in parts...... Labor really beats the snot out of you on this job.

 

Excellent news. This sucks considering I am currently selling the truck!

 

Is there any other problem that these symptoms could be related to? Just want to get an idea.