Report back, I want to know now.

No worries

YOU GOTTA LOVE CHRYSLER!!!!!!!!!!

Just spoke to the dealer and he told me that on the 02 1500 5.9l (360 magnum) The fuel filter is the silver canister on top of my fuel pump! It's also a pressure regulator. It costs $150!!! I am in disbelief! I am one of the lucky ones as the rest of the Rams you have to replace the whole fuel pump just to change the fuel filter at a cost of $400+!!!!!! Total joke! Talk about screwing people with the take it to the dealer mentality!

I'll take it off at work and dump it in the sonic cleaner for a few hours!

It ain't just Chrysler, you get the same chit from Furd and GM.

I think Ford holds the record for needing the most "specialty tools" for what used to be regular maintenance...

Yes I know I'm just pissed at the mo! Actually I have been searching the classifieds lately for a 1960's to 70's car that I can use as a daily driver. No emission controls and the only connections I want on my engine are; gas, water, positive and negative!

OK! Now for the next installment!

I have just been down to the local Dodge dealer and this is what I have been told. On the 02 1500 gas engine (5.9l Magnum) the filter / pressure regulator sits on top of the fuel pump and is a push fit into the pump, it costs aprox $150 plus fitting. I was told that they last 100k. I was told not to change just the filter as even though it is a replaceable item if you disturb the seal the truck will not run properly and most likely won't start! This usually happens a couple of days after you changed the filter!!! This is what I was told! They recommend you change the pump and filter / regulator every 100k at a cost of aprox $400 plus fitting!!! (i.e. tank drop) This just strikes me as design sabotage so you have to spend money. I mean how can anyone tell me that a fuel pump is a consumable / service replaceable part. That's just plain wrong!

Ok rant over and I have another 10k on the pump.

If its getting sluggish your plenum is probably blown. I'd check that before messing with the fuel pump. The service manual states there's no need to change it.

How can you check if the plenum gasket is blown? I checked the plugs when I changed them a week ago and they were all consistent in colour and wear. Can you see a blown gasket with a borescope as we have them at work or is it just take the penum off and change the gasket wether it's blown or not. My truck has always used oil during my ownership and it hasn't got any worse lately. Is it worth fitting one of those Hughes plenum block off plates?

Thanks for your post and help.

bad plenum gasket would cause irratic idle and skipping...all vacuum related.
Fuel filter/pump has different symptoms. i would rule out the possibilities of gummed/gunked up injectors either.

Also....replacing just the sock is not a bad thing, nor will it cause problems. it will only ause problems if its not installed properly and falls off. It's much easier for the dealer to replace the entire part as well makes them look better if the pump was to fail a few eeks or months later after the filter change. It eliminates the customer from "demanding" a freebie.

I'd let the tank get around 1/8th tank. Drop the tank and change the filter. be done with it.

The idle on my truck is well within range and smooth. It's to dark (and bloody cold outside) now to look down the plenum. I will have a look tomorrow. I will wait until 100k before dropping the tank. I have found the $150 filter / regulator on the net for $40! I want to look down the catalytic coverter as well. My muffler is going to need changing sood so I will do it then.