I'm new to the forums and I just bought a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.9L 360. I'll post up some pics of it later today. I bought this truck to be my first vehicle. I don't know too much about working on trucks. There are a few things wrong with the truck I'd like to ask y'all about. When the truck is idling it sounds fine, but when I hit the accelerator in 1st gear there is a tapping sound. I'm not sure what it really is but I was thinking valve seals. Also the tranny slips shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. How much would it cost to get these things fixed? Should I try to do it on my own?

Thanks!

 

Valve seals won't cause the engine to make odd sounds. They will give you some oil consumption though..... Check and make sure oil is at the appropriate level first..... How does your oil pressure behave??

For the trans, first think to do is drop the pan, and change fluid and filter, and see if there is anything interesting in there......

 

The oil pressure is normal, just drops when I pull up to stop signs which is normal I think. the gauge might be messed up. It doesn't use oil, but there is oil on the exhaust tip. Maybe the sound is an exhaust leak?

 

How far does it drop???

Have read of the stickied plenum thread too.

Welcome to DF.

 

I'm not sure how much it drops, I'll check today. but the check gauges light comes on and goes off. I'll work on the tranny while I'm on spring break and see how it looks.

 

The light comes on when pressure drops below about 7 PSI. That's bad. Need to figure out what's going on there. Usually, that's a sign of low oil level.... or a bad sending unit.

 

I don't think there is an oil leak, haven't seen one yet. I just got the truck Sunday and I've been busy with school. Hopefully I can get a look under the hood later this week. Should I quit driving it until I figure out whats wrong? I don't really know what the sending unit is. I can work on dirtbikes but not very good at trucks yet! Thanks for the help!

 

At the very least, check the oil level. These trucks are pretty famous for "mystery oil loss". You don't see it on the ground, you don't see it going out the tailpipe, but, it sure is going somewhere......

 

I'll check the oil this afternoon and check around the engine and see what I can find. Hopefully all the things I have to do don't cost too much, I'm on a low budget!

 

Also check to see if oil looks dirty. How many miles on truck (or did I miss that?)