i purchased a 2002 ram 1500 slt 4.7l v8 with 62,000 miles on it a few months ago for $4800 to be my beat around/winter ride. I got it pretty cheap because the original owner painted it a gross purple and the guy I bought it from wasnt using it anymore. So I thought if I just prepped it and got a maaco job on it everything would be all good. well the heat pretty much stopped working about a month ago so I took it to a local mechanic and he replaced the water pump and flushed the heater core, and the heat still didnt work. So today I took the truck to the dodge dealer and they ran all their diagnostics and they came to the conclusion that the 2 baskets need to be replaced, so pretty much rip the engine apart. they said it will take approx. 16 hours of labor plus parts, totaling around 5-6K to fix. I asked if they would give me anything for a trade in and they said no. So my questions are for everyone are:

1. does that rate sound reasonable for everything that needs to be fixed, labor and parts?
2. Should I just purchase a new engine and have them install that, would that be cheaper?
3. If I just scrap it, any ideas what I could ask for it?

I would just dump it but im really tight on cash since I just purchased a house and fixing it is pretty much my cheapest option at this point. So any opinions on how you would handle this would be much appreciated!

 

I assume your talking head gaskets? They should have replaced the t-stat along with the water pump. could be a faulty t-stat. (stuck open).

 

check the following.
Coolant level, oil level, check booth to see that thier not milk shaked.
compression
run the truck and look at the ex for whiter than normal ex, you can smell burning anti freaze.

as for lack of heat, check thermostat, heater core and condition of antifreaze if the above items are ok ...

 

IMO, its always cheaper to fix and repair than to have high vehicle payments

 

My 96 ram rpm bounce up and down when I get on the highway. A couple people have told me it might be the fuel filter. But I'm not sure so before I go threw the hassle I want to ask a couple of people. I hope someone can get back to me as quick as possible. Thank you for you're time.

 

Check the vents on both sides. I've heard the blend door is a common problem. You will get heat on one side and not the other.

 

That sounds like air trapped in the heating system. I just to have a '01, 5.9L Ram, that happens to me when I flushed the cooling system. One thing you can do, is to disconect the return heater hose to let the air go out.
That is a simple try that will cost nothing. Watch out for the hot watter!!
By the way, if the engine works fine and no watter in the oil, the head gaskets should be ok.

Hope this help you. Saludos.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. Both head gaskets were cracked and coolant was getting into the cylinders, so I just had them put a new crate engine in. I pick up the truck on friday, so everything should be working now. hopefully..