Hey Everyone,

So heres the latest on my truck. 1999 Dodge Ram 4x4 Ext Cab 5.2. My truck has 76000 miles on it and I love it to death. I have had it for a little under a year. It has always used a little oil between oil changes, not such a bad thing eh? Well lately its been going through 2-3 quarts a week. I was like what the heck? So I took it to my dealer, he thought it could be an intake gasket, I guess thats common on the 5.2's. Anyway that was last monday, I checked back periodically and he kept telling me that the tests were normal. I was like, well wheres the oil going? It wasn't smoking blue, and it wasnt leaking, (a tribute to dodges Converters), so he began the normal compression tests. The tests came back bad on 3 of the 8 cylinders, like 20% or greater leaking rate. I got a phone call on tuesday morning, and my tech was like "you better sit down for this" (by now i'm scared). He told me that I needed a new motor. They were going to drop a new long block in it. Long story short, 7500 dollars later I have a new motor in my truck, along with a new water pump, radiator, alternator, PS pump, and a few other things. THANK GOD I HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT ON THIS TRUCK. Dodge picked up most of the bill.I got my truck back this past saturday and I walked out with a bill of 450 bucks, compared to 7500!! I am so happy with Dodge, and as long as they continue to stand behind their trucks I will NEVER go with anything else!!! I think this should be a warning to all of us who buy used trucks, I love my truck and have few complaints but I have a feeling that this problem was around before I bought the truck. Whoever had it before me used and abused it obviously!! From now on I buy ONLY from a Dodge dealer or someone I COMPLETLY trust!!! Oh well, problem fixed and hopefully I can get at least 200000 miles out of this motor

Talk to you guys later!!!

Evan

 

450 wow! Not a bad deal at all!

 

First of all, welcome to DF!

That's really kickass that a dealership backed their service contract for you. Alot of places wouldnt in this day and age. Any brand vehicle has their bad sides as well as their good sides. I'm just really glad that someone took care of you.

Enjoy your vehicle, and hopefully this site helps in keeping that puppy long lasting on the road.

 

Damn man, you lucked out.. I bought my dodge used, very clean ride and was used as a small contractors work truck. Hopefully he didnt ride the **** out of it. I watch the guages on that thing like a hawk too, so if i ever see the oil pressure drop a little I'm gonna pray that its the Plenum gasket...

Speaking of which i had this weird dream that I was fixing that thing, bought a new plenum from APS and a fastman TB while i was at it and it took 5 hours, another friend of mine, and a 20 pack of miller =D. Yeah it was weird, but I foresee it happening in the next few months or so

 

I know a guy from the VW forums who bought a brand new 2005 Dodge and the engine crapped out on him. The dealer had to get him a longblock and install it, but it took over two weeks for them to do it. He was not a happy camper to have the engine blow on a new truck.

 

Yah tell me about it. I bought my truck from a dealership and it only had 80000kms on it. Thought it was in good shape, but when you have put more money into it than you bought it for it sure isnt!!!! But when your truck is your baby you swear and stress a lot but pay the bills.

 

TWO WEEKS??? WOW, my dealer had the engine on wed, and by the end of thursday it was done!!! I don't think I could have dealt without my truck for 2 weeks.....that is unless they loaned me something better..HAHA!!!

 

One dealer had my truck for 28 days (staight!!) last summer!! And that was for a head gasket and a rear end rebuild. It went back twice more for a week at a clip. If they hadn't picked up the rentals I'd have been pissed!! (and jobless!)

 

in the 12 months ive owned mine no word of a lie 3 have been in a shop.

 

wow, I guess I should be thankful for my dealer around here. They are extremely good to me. I don't think any of our vehicles have been there for more than a week, and all the work is done!! And I have had numerous trannys done on our caravans. But, nothing more than a week.