Hi I was traveling though northern california on my way to a wedding in Washington when I noticed I had no power. I was doing between 70 and 80 mph all day and just like that it would not do over 50 mph. my van is a 1997 dodge full size with the 5.2 v8 with 60,000 miles. The check engine light came on so I limped it over to the next exit pulled it into a shop and they scand it for codes. the scanner said misfire on #3. So the Mechanic told me "it really needs a tune up" I've been a diesel mechanic for 11 years, and wont clam to know gas engines, especially electronics, but this not just in need of a tune up. But what could I do, Im on the road with no tools and dumb when it comes to computers. so he does the tune up and it still runs like crap. In neutral I rev it up and it sounds like it just sucking tons of air but wont really rev up past 2000 rpms. so he checked the cat, said it was fine, ran the scanner still had no codes. he mentioned it could be the fuel pump but it idles great and drives ok up to about 30 mph or till I try to accellerate fast. then it just bogs down really bad. Does this sound like a fuel pump?? I have smelled a faint fuel smell wile driving to and from work in the last few months but could not find any leaks to speak of. is there any sensors that go out on these vans that cause this kind of problems? thats what it seems like to me, but what do I know? thanks for any help you could give me Im still stuck.

 

the mechanic also checked fuel pressure and said it had "like 40 something pounds and should have like 50 something" also the van has been starting hard for a long time even when it has not been sitting long. hope that helps.

 

Have the mechanic check this TSB: http://www.dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm
This TSB 09-05-00 deals with the engine intake manifold plenum pan gasket check and replacement.

 

I am with you.sounds like either a plugged cat or exhaust.Have them drop the Y-pipe down and see how it runs.

 

Fuel pump pressure should be 49.2 +-5 psi. Hard start meaning like takes 5 seconds to start up while turning the starter?

 

i thought plugged exhaust too but he said that the O2 sensor checked out ok so the exhaust must be fine. also he did check to make sure that there were no vacuum leaks. have you ever seen a cat plug up with out stinking?

 

hard starting like 8 seconds and some times starts like right up in 1 or two seconds. it does not seem to knock on acceleration or use any oil at all.

 

On a plugged cat not stinking yes I have seen them.

Hard starting would indicate that the fuel pump pressure check valve is not working anymore and allowing the fuel to drain back to the tank when you shut down the engine, been there done that with mine. Only fix for that is a new pump module especially if the pressure when running is below 45 PSI.

How did he check the cat, just by checking the 02 sensor readings? Have him pull the front 02 sensor or the y connections as Master Tech suggested and see how the engine behaves.

 

Replace tbe ignition coil.

 

I will just put a new coil on and check the exhaust tomorrow my self the shops closed and its parked outside... let you know what I find. Thanks