My 99 360 Dodge Ram has an issue every once in a while it will run very rough at idle. When this happens, it develops a very bad belt squeak. I then put it into drive and the truck then would surge very hard. What is this???

 

Take off the belt, and check everything on the front of the motor that turns. See if you have some bearings going out somewhere.

 

Could it also be part of the plenum issue

 

Maybe. If you have oil in the intake, you do need to address that.

 

Do what Hey You suggested for the belt. The tensioner may need replacing. Ours was sticking and not applying proper tension to the belt.

The roughness at idle could be the idle air control (IAC). It can be cleaned or replace it. I don't have good results with BWD parts. I recommend Standard Motor Products or get them from the dealer.

If it hasn't had a tune up in a while, that would be a good start. New NGK spark plugs (standard copper), SMP distributor cap, rotor, and wires (if needed). NTK, Mopar, or SMP oxygen sensors. New fuel filter and air filter.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html Here's the plenum thread. I decided to install a new timing chain set and water pump when I fixed my plenum. The truck runs really smooth now. 95 Oxidizer Special is the thread. It has quite a few pictures. I ground the tips off the bolts and used the steel plate with Felpro gaskets. The dist cap and rotor are bitch to change, but are easily accessible when the intake is removed.

 

Thank you for all of the imput

 

I checked my belt and pulleys and nothing seemed to be wrong there. I'm going to try doing a tune-up next. I have the parts ordered.

 

Did the spring in the tensioner seem nice and strong? I realize you don't have anything to really compare it to.

 

I figured out the problem. The guy before me didn't install the spark plug in cylinder number 6 correctly and it was fouling out. I'm finishing up the tune up this week. More updates to follow

 

I hope you get it figured out. Ours runs really nice now.