I have a 2001 Dodge Ram SLT Laramie, 5.2l and am having some apparent fuel issues. About a month ago, it broke down. Just wouldn't crank up after slowly deteriorating performance. It got slow to crank and got progressively worse. I could smell gas during the months of gradual deterioration. Along with cranking up slowly, it was losing power. I said to myself, "Self, you gots a fuel pump bout to go out." Fast-forward to the breakdown. I got it towed home and disconnected the fuel line at the pump and jumpered the relay to check the spray and it was erratic and choppy. I ordered the new pump and when it came in, I installed it. For 8 glorious days, it ran like a brand new truck. THEN, it started getting slow to crank again and I smelled gas again. Biggest difference this time is it drinks gas like its Dr Pepper. I checked the fuel pressure at the Schrader valve and the time it took my wife to switch the key, before she even took her hand off the key, it was showing 50 psi. It has no check engine light on and I can't see any gas leaking from the connections at the pump or around any of the fuel rails. What other possibilities can I be looking at?

 

Pressure is correct.

Running rich? Could be a bad temp sensor. (by the thermostat housing) Has the plenum been fixed?

 

I haven't done anything to the plenum. Bad temp sensor cause it to crank for several seconds before it fires up and burn waaaay too much gas? And no code?

 

Plenum, cat and o2's.

 

Couple of stupid questions. Autozones website shows 2 plenums, an air plenum and a larger intake plenum. Is the air plenum the same thing I call an air hat? I think it is. if so, is that the one you guys are referring to or the actual intake plenum? Are we talking actual plenum cracked/warped or just the gasket blown?

 

The actual intake manifold plenum. Read the plenum sticky.

 

Yes, if it fails open, (which is usually the case...) the PCM thinks its -40 degrees, and positively DUMPS gas..... tends to flood very easily too...

 

if your smelling gas it must be a leak in the plenum. if u check out were it coming from problem can be solved.

 

Problem is it seems like its coming from everywhere. Think I am gonna do the plenum anyway. Even if it doesn't entirely solve my problem, apparently, I will have all kinds of positive benefits, along with never having to worry about it again.

 

Put your pressure gauge on, start the truck, let it idle for a few minutes, then shut it off. Watch the pressure gauge, it should bleed down VERY slowly. If it drops like a stone, you may have some leaky injectors. That would account for the crappy gas mileage, the smell, and the hard starting.