2006 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi 2wd 176,400 miles

I've noticed since around 130,000 or so miles, my truck doesnt seem as "strong" as it has been. I have to really put the pedal in the floor when I wanna pass someone on the highway. It'll get up & go, just not like it used to.

I've always changed my fluids regularly. I'm not going to lie & tell you I change my spark plugs every 30,000, but my current plugs have probably 20,000 miles or so on them. Is there anything else I should be doing or any sort of "tune up" I can do to give my truck back its "pep"

Thanks,

McNasy

 

your spark plugs should be copper core so they should be replaced somewhere between 10k-15k... at least thats when I do mine. 20k is pushing them a bit.

If you don't see an improvement with the plugs changed, have a compression test done and see if you've got a weak cylinder...

Also a lot of that "pep" comes from the transmission too, so you should give that a good once over..

 

Thanks man. Yeah, maintenance schedule specifies changing the copper plugs every 30k, no harm in doing it sooner. Ill take a look at the tranny, all I've done is change fluid & filters.

 

have you ever replaced the catalytic converters.. they could be clogged.. does it burn oil? when you take out the spark plugs they will tell you a lot too.

 

Keep in mind 176K on a gas engine is a lot. You could also have excessive ring to piston wall gap and lose compression. No or weak compression, less power

 

Hmm, it doesn't burn oil. I guess I can start with a compression test & go from there.

 

Definitely check the tranny too. If you haven't flushed out the fluid from there do that too as well as the Diff oil. Almost 180k on the original tranny is alot. It could be time for a rebuild possibly too. Are the shifts smooth or kinda jerky/harsh?

 

Only noticed it jerk once recently when shifting. It is nearly time for new filters & fluid.

 

Definitely why I suggested he have the compression test done... just to be on the safe side.

 

Pull the PCM fuse (#23 on my 04') and turn the key on (not start) and wait for the 3 dings. It'll reset your PCM so you can start with a clean slate.