I got a 97 dodge 1500 4x4 5.2 v-8about 6 months ago and i have a few problems.The drivebelt rides on the back edge of the crankshaft pully causing it to split after about 5 months.Second it doesnt seem to have alot of power.I am the second owner and I knew the first owner well.He changed the oil on a regular basis with synthetic.He didnt raw hide it at all.Ive tuned it up and it helped some but not alot.it just semms sluggish.Any info would be nice

thank chris

 

Make sure the tensioner pully is not bent or broke. That is a comman pully to be bad and it could throw everything else out of line. Check the rest I doubt it though. Does it vibrate real bad? If so could be harmonic balancer that can rob power and throw the belt. I would do a standard tune up make sure it is getting enough air in and out, don't go cheap with spark plugs and change your O2 sensors. A '97 I would check for partially clogged CAT as well. And my gosh run the **** out of it, there is nothing worse than a babied truck. Drive it like you stole it!

 

Does the belt ride on the edge of any other pulley? The crankshaft pulley may not be in all the way (from previous service perhaps?). Tensioners also loose their 'tensioning' ability over time. Check to make sure the belt doesn't have play in it when you press down on it. As a general rule IIRC the belt should only travel about 3/8-1/2" max when you push on it.

 

i know that i threw twobelts in a weeks time then i notice the water pump was bad.

 

Your fan belt should be a 7 groove pulley. Sometimes they give 8 groove which is for diesel applications.


If anything with a pulley has been replaced recently, alternator, fan assembly, ac compressor, that too would need a7 groove pulley.


Good luck with your ride.

 

If it uses some oil check the plenum gasket. Open the TB blades and look down into the intake to see if there is oil laying in plenum.