My friend has a 1996 Ram 2500 with the 8.0 V10. When it is hot it is hard to start, and when he is pulling his trailer up a hill the engine will miss. The spark plugs are black, and he says it is like the spark is going down the side of the electrode. It is not burning oil. The engine only has a little more than 40000 miles on it. He has replaced all the plugs and wires but that has mad no difference. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have searched for over an hour on the web and have not been able to find any solutions to the problem.

Brian

 

So many things to check. Start with fuel pressure, then see if cat is clogged. Check O2 sensors. Plugs - if spark is tracking, something is wrong. Change wires, make sure boots are good. If plugs are black, it is running too rich.

 

Disconnect pre-cat O2 sensor, and drive it like that for a day or three. (this WILL set a code.....) See if it runs any better.