Hi guys,

Brand new to the forums here. Right off the bat here I should say that I am not mechanically knowledgeable but I have a couple of buddies who are and have been trying to help me with this issue. I just bought a 2005 ram 5.7 SLT 4x4 about 2 months ago. Here is what's happening:
- misfire code po301
- the only noticeable thing other than the check engine light being on, is that it idles slightly rough
- changed the spark plug wires, plugs and new fuel pump
- my friend swapped out the fuel injector with 1 and 3 to see if the code follows, and it did not.
- it still has really good power and anything out of idle position it seems to run great.
- you can definitely tell there is a misfire at idle though, just slightly rough, but once I start going it runs strong.

Were having a hard time figuring it out. I really want to get it fixed but just not sure what direction to go in. Any help and knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

 

What plugs are in it?

 

I believe they are champion coppers

 

Ok, those are correct.

Next thing I think I would check is fuel pressure, and if you are getting spark on that cylinder at idle.

 

Will do that and report back. Thank you

 

I should also note that the truck only has 95,000 miles. I am not sure of it's history though. There is no tick which might indicate a cam failure (I'm learning). The CEL is on as well.

 

Read codes. If you suspect the cam, do a compression test.

 

The only code is po301. My mechanic friend is thinking that it is the cam. A compression test will help confirm that?

 

If you have low compression, the cam is one possibility.

Could pull the valve cover, and see what valve travel looks like when you roll the engine over slowly.

 

It could be the cam, but the 2005s do not have a lot of cam problems. They have been known to have broken valve springs though.
A vacuum check would be better test for valve spring issue.
I second heyyou's rec for pulling valve cover and observing valve travel. You would be able to tell if the cam was not lifting the valve. A broken spring might not be as obvious. You can work the #1 cylinder valve springs with a pry bar to see if one is broken or noticeably weak.