2004 Ram 1500 4x4 Hemi

Last weekend I started the truck, idle was very eratic and after about 15 seconds the truck just died. Wouldn't start again. I had the truck towed to my local dealer and I just got a call that it has a broken valve spring.

My first red flag was that this happened before, about three weeks ago but that time it started and has ran fine up until this weekend.

Second, the service writer is telling me that they don't have to remove the head to change out the spring. True??

Is this a common problem with these engines?

Thx in advance........Rich

 

It is somewhat common on 03s with a few 04s and no they do not have to pull the head to change the springs. There are a few ways to keep the valve up and change the spring(s).

Just be thankful you did not drop the valve in the engine. ::OUCH::

 

compressed air can be used to hold the valve "up" or they can thread a soft rope into the spark-plug hole and hand-turn the engine til the piston pushes the rope against the valve face. either way is effective at retaining the valve during the repair.

And Wow!, you are lucky you didn't drop the valve.

 

might as well change all the springs BTW

 

yes. change out all you springs for 16 6.1 exhaust springs. you'll need new pushrods too. the combo is about $80. your engine will thank you. its only a matter of time before the rest of them start breaking, and you most likely wont be lucky enough next time to not drop a valve and realllllly do some internal damage

 

my thought exactly, change them all out while they are in there, especially if that's your second.

 

Broke one at 115000 on my 03, sent the heads out and had a valve job done, no more hemi tick and the engine sounds alot better afterward. I second everyone else on the do'em all, it'll just keep happening.

 

Come on now, are you kiddin' me. you guys are really suggesting I find a shop to have all the valve springs replaced?
Honestly, I'm a Chevy guy, always have been but I came across this truck at a fantastic price and decided to give Dodge a try. This has me second guessing my decision....

 

Nice looking truck, good find. Change them yourself. If doing a little work on your truck scares you, I certainly wouldn't run for a chevy....

 

Wait a minute, youre not trying to tell me you are so naive that you think Chevy doesnt have any issues and parts never break are you??

Every manufacture has it own individual issues and Im sure you already know this. You dont HAVE to replace all the springs. You could go another 100k mi and never break one. These guys are saying SINCE you broke one and SINCE you are there replacing them, you might as well do them all being a full set of springs is only $60.

And you can change them yourself with a little patience.