My 94 Ram van runs well most of the time except for this morning when I was on the freeway going up a hill and it started to misfire quite a bit. I was losing speed (from 65 down to 50) and it just kept on coughing and misfiring. It finally cleared up after I crested the hill. It's a 318/auto with 150k miles and fuel injection. I suspect possible bad gas but is there anything else I can look for? It did this only once before so it's intermittent and no check engine light ever came on.

 

Low fuel pressure will also cause these symptoms. Possibly the fuel pump is on it's way out.

 

So how do I check the fuel pump and/or pressure?

 

Using a 100psi fuel pump gage hook it up to the valve test port on the left side of the engines fuel injection rail. If no valve then you need a special connector to hook in line between the fuel line and fuel rail.

Also how long does it take to fire up first thing in the morning? If 2 seconds or less then that is great, if as long as 4 seconds then the fuel pressure check valve is bad and leaking down the fuel pressure which would be a sign of a failing fuel pump module.

 

Also preform this bulletin
Dodge Ram 1500 Running Rough

 

Ok, I'll take a pressure measurement but you didn't say how much pressure to look for. Also, It does fire up right away in the morning when its cold.

 

Do you get a check engine light at all?

I would also start with tuning it up. Check plugs.(blow out spark hole before removing) Inspect spark plug wires. Inspect cap, rotor.

I don't know if there is a accessible inline fuel filter. If there is replace it.

 

I do not have a "check engine" light on. I replaced plugs about 5k miles ago as well as cap & rotor. I also did the timing chain at that time because I had a hole behind the water pump in the timing case cover. I drove it to work today and it runs perfect.

 

Was it having the same symptoms before you replaced the timing chain? If not I could consider that something isn't quite right.