Check fuel pressure. IF that's ok, do a compression, or, better yet, leakdown test. See what the numbers tell you.

 

Fuel pressure is good. I don't have a leakdown tester, and I really don't want to buy one, but I just might have to get a hold of one anyway cause I need to test my Blazer as well. So let's say for a hypothetical that one or more cylinders come back with greater than 20%... What would my best option be if I spent less than 2k on the truck to begin with? Also, what other things (if any) can you think of that I can check before I get my hands on a leakdown kit?

 

Might be able to rent a leaddown tester. Do you have an air compressor available? Need one for the leakdown test.....

How much you spend is completely up to you. How much do you like the truck? Is it worth it to YOU to repair it? (once you know what's up.....) You could likely do a 'refresh' on the motor for 2000, plus or minus.... (rings, bearings, replace the heads, gaskets, etc.)

 

Harbor Freight has a a cheap one for like $40. As far as how much I like the truck? Not entirely. I got it cause I thought it would be nice to have a pickup, it has 4WD, and it was only $1800. I drive my Blazer most of the time and it doubles as my off-road toy, but the Dodge has more power and everything. I'm selling my '07 Murano, and if I see a truck I like better, I'll probably sell the Dodge as well. I just want to ensure there is no immediate repair required. Otherwise, I'm just gonna sling it or drive it into the ground.

 

well, do the tests, and see what you come up with. Take it from there.

 

did you double check the plug wires are fully seated? they should click when they're all the way down and be a total pain to pull back off. i've had a bad set of new wires and i've also ruined a new set installing them impatiently in awkward positions. end result missfire codes and slight idle roughness. i would triple check this basic thing before tearing into compression checks, injectors, etc... also i noticed no mention of the cap and rotor, check those too.

personally i never trust "new" parts from someone i buy a vehicle from, they've left me chasing my tail just like you're doing right now. i ruled the bad part out because it was new it couldn't possibly be the problem. ultimately i've just settled into the habbit of doing a basic tuneup on every new to me vehicle, unless they left the box and receipt from last week in the back seat everything is suspect lol.

not sure where you go to get parts, but rockauto can save you some bigtime $$$ if you can wait for shipping.

 

I've checked the plug wires about a hundred times now. They are in immaculate condition. All of them click onto the plugs and everything. I haven't checked the distributor cap or rotor (kicking myself for not doing that when the intake was off), but the truck has over 280,000 miles on it, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a compression issue.

 

lol, ok, i just hate to see someone chase ghosts, i've done it too many times just to have someone come over and jiggle a wire , click, all better lol. i would definitely check the cap and rotor though.

280k, yeah there could be compression issues, but i've seen blowby that would levitate the oil cap and it purrs like a kitten.

 

Just drove it residential, main street, and highway for the first time since the repairs and didn't get any codes! They may still crop up because it still acts like the front end is hopping when you roll forward or backward. Maybe that's something more mechanical? Maybe a motor mount, but you literally only feel it when slowly creeping forward or backward... I dunno.

 

Do you get a vibration at higher speeds?