I have a 2002 1500 conversation van with 60,000 m and I think I have a weak # 3. It shows about 90 psi while the other 5 are all about 120. but no smoke or or water in the oil and no ticking noises.

I have a engine light on for years the dealer keeps telling me is a minor vacuum leak which they haven't been able to locate even with smoke test. I went to an independent shop and they got a code of #3 misfire which is why I did the compressing test. Still...it seems kind of early for a burnt or sticky valve.
SO my question: They say the heads be pulled in the van. But it's a PITA just getting the plugs out for a compression test, I can't see getting the exhaust off and then torquing head bolts later on in such a confined space.

Nothing at Advance Auto in the how too books on the Ram 1500 and nothing on ebay either right now.

I really like this van. I sold my last Ram conversion van at 100,000 miles and always regretted it. (and it was running perfectly)

Any books, manuals or web sites would be helpful. Other than a little rough idle when hot the thing's mint and a great way to travel.

Thanks

 

What engine?
90 PSI is way too low, even 120 PSI is on the low side. You should be up more around 140 PSI.

If it's a vacuum leak then why is it affecting only one cylinder instead of all of them?

 

it's a 3.9 but I can't see how a vacuum leak could cause a misfire in #3 unless the whole system was running very poorly and #3 is just the weakest cylinder so it's failing most often. The old plug looks OK. BTW I did a complete 60,000 tune/ plug wires rotor cap etc. and TB clean including new gaskets with no improvement

Since the dealer couldn't find a leak with the smoke test, I'm not holding out much hope. I hate to pay another dealer another $90.

Any how-to books or posts?

 

There's not much else to do except pull the heads and do a valve job on them.

 

ok thanks

then to quote the queen of hearts "Off with the heads"