So I bought this 1998 dodge Ram 1500 5.2 318 for $200 I got a super rare deal. The truck runs and starts but it keeps throwing codes and the check engine light is on. It comes up as multiple cylinder misfire cylinder 1 and 2 misfire and it burns oil. Every so often I have to add coolant to it. I’ve done tuneups on it and all. Changed spark plugs wires cap fuel injectors. At this point I’m at a loss I’m not sure what is the issue with the truck at this point and want to get it fixed. I do my own work so I know how to fix and diagnose my own stuff but I'm lost.

 

Test for combustion gases in the coolant. Your local parts store will have a kit you can 'rent', you just pay for the chemicals.

Compression test.

Look in the plenum, see oil in there? Fix that. (plenum gasket.)

How many miles on it?

 

192625 miles and when I did the spark plugs there was some fluid in there I think it was coolant but I’m not completely sure.

 

The heads on the 5/2 + 5.9 motors are famous for cracking, but perform the combustion gas check to be sure. That's a lot of miles on that motor, but for $200 for the entire truck makes the repair more than worth it, given the cost of new trucks these days...

 

Indeed. He could throw a NEW motor at it, and still be money ahead.

 

This is what comes up for it. I’ve changed both the O2 sensors before too. When I do a tune up on it it runs great for a few days or weeks but then starts up again.

 

Might want to pull the bad O2 sensor(s) and have a look at it to see what may be killing it - this thread may help the identification - https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...en-sensor.html

Also, be sure to use OE style NTK O2 sensors replacements after determining/repairing the coolant or oil issue.

 

Did you do this? If it's not bad now it will be later.
https://www.hughesengines.com/Index/...p?partid=27091

 

I haven’t had time to do anything yet nor the space to lay everything out. There is a new symptom tho. The truck dies out at low idles and doesn’t seem to want to restart and stay running once it dies.

 

Any new code(s) with the new symptom? If not, 1st thing to do is to clean the throttle body, especially the well where the Idle Air Controller (IAC) is bolted on at the back of the throttle body. The well where the IAC piston extends into in the back of the throttle body tends to develop lots of carbon deposits there over time and causes idle quality issues.