It's a 1998 Ram Sport 5.2 4x4. 172,400 miles. Runs fantastic, shifts smooth but there are a few things I'd like to know. I bought it a couple months ago with 171,000 miles.

1. Timing chain. I have no idea if it's been replaced before or not, should I worry about it? Should I go ahead and take care of it?

2. If I idle for an extended period of time, ~5 mins or so, it smokes. It stops when I start driving. I added a bottle of STP Oil treatment about 800 miles back and it knocked it right out. Started back up again yesterday and the oil was about a quart low so I added another bottle of STP and it stopped again.
What can cause this? Is it going to be a big issue down the road or is it safe to just keep checking the oil and adding STP if it starts back up? I plan on changing the oil here in another 800 miles or so.

3. My heater core went bad (I believe) about a week ago. Drips a little coolant from the passenger floor vent, leaks more if I drive it hard. I don't have the time or money to fix it right now, is it safe to drive it like that if I keep a check on the temp and coolant level?


Any help is appreciated.

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/showthr...67#post3086167

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Read that

Yes your timing chain is worn out. Replace it with a double roller and never worry about it again

 

X2 on the plenum. I would never make a habit of using an additive anyways. I seafoamed my truck once, and that's it. In this case it's not fixing your problem it's just covering up the symptoms.

 

You probably shouldn't be driving it around like that either...

 

If not in need of heat, you can bypass the heater core to avoid coolant loss (and a wet floorpan).

 

Alright so I need to go ahead and replace everything instead of driving it?
So heater core, timing chain, and hughes plenum kit. I'll probably go ahead and do a tune up also. After that I should be good?

Think I could get it all knocked out in a weekend?

 

Nope.

Heater core will take at least a weekend by itself. Plenum and timing set can be done though. You can bypass your heater core for a bit.

 

If you've done the heater core before you probably could do it all in weekend. Otherwise nah. Just plenum, tune up, and timing chain. Might as well through a new water pump on there if yours is old and you have the extra money

 

So how do I go about bypassing the heater core?

 

I won't have the money for the water pump so it'll have to wait, it's on my list though. Thanks