Loud motor, high RPMs, poor pickup
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Loud motor, high RPMs, poor pickup
I've been having some odd noise & power related problems on a '98 Ram Van 1500 (Mark III conversion w/Magnum 3.9L V6), namely:
#1: When accelerating, the motor's RPM seems to go up unnecessarily high (and emits a hell of a roar when doing so).
#2: Poor pickup, even when floored.
I had originally suspected a slipping transmission, however, as I've known the van itself for about half a year (belonged to a relative who passed recently), I would have expected it to have become worse over time, which it hasn't. I also know that the transmission was also repaired sometime down the line not too long ago - but knowing the quality of most mechanics in this town, there's just as much chance that nothing was done to it - either that, or the quack put Dextron in it (!)
I dug up this forum a few days ago, and read up on a few pages worth of posts here. As recommended by the members here, I cleaned up the IAC unit this morning. It wasn't particularly dirty in the first place, however, and neither problem seems to have been improved.
The acceleration problem is also still present - hit the gas down to the floor and find yourself accelerating to 30 mph at the pace of a snail, or about 7 seconds. The previously-mentioned roaring sound will be loud as hell during this period, but nothing much comes of it. (Incidentally, there are a few similar-year 1500s in the neighborhood which go down the street occasionally - and one of them in particular is, like mine, hellishly loud when accelerating).
Don't get me wrong - the van will accelerate to 50-60 mph without much complaint during normal semi-highway/city driving.
Any insights? I'm used to tinkering under the hood of 1970s-era Fix Or Repair Daily machines - these new, electronic-controlled motors are somewhat of a mystery to me.
Take care,
-Kurt
#1: When accelerating, the motor's RPM seems to go up unnecessarily high (and emits a hell of a roar when doing so).
#2: Poor pickup, even when floored.
I had originally suspected a slipping transmission, however, as I've known the van itself for about half a year (belonged to a relative who passed recently), I would have expected it to have become worse over time, which it hasn't. I also know that the transmission was also repaired sometime down the line not too long ago - but knowing the quality of most mechanics in this town, there's just as much chance that nothing was done to it - either that, or the quack put Dextron in it (!)
I dug up this forum a few days ago, and read up on a few pages worth of posts here. As recommended by the members here, I cleaned up the IAC unit this morning. It wasn't particularly dirty in the first place, however, and neither problem seems to have been improved.
The acceleration problem is also still present - hit the gas down to the floor and find yourself accelerating to 30 mph at the pace of a snail, or about 7 seconds. The previously-mentioned roaring sound will be loud as hell during this period, but nothing much comes of it. (Incidentally, there are a few similar-year 1500s in the neighborhood which go down the street occasionally - and one of them in particular is, like mine, hellishly loud when accelerating).
Don't get me wrong - the van will accelerate to 50-60 mph without much complaint during normal semi-highway/city driving.
Any insights? I'm used to tinkering under the hood of 1970s-era Fix Or Repair Daily machines - these new, electronic-controlled motors are somewhat of a mystery to me.
Take care,
-Kurt
Van & CUV Section Moderator
Joined: Nov 2006
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RE: Loud motor, high RPMs, poor pickup
The tranny itself might be okay, but it sounds like the torque convert is bad. If the rpms are going up but you have no acceleration then there is slippage between the engine and tranny. The roaring noise is not typical of a bad/slipping tranny but it is typical of a bad TC.
A good test for this is to press hard on the brakes while in drive and pressing the gas. If the engine revs above 2500 rpms it's the TC.
A good test for this is to press hard on the brakes while in drive and pressing the gas. If the engine revs above 2500 rpms it's the TC.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,412
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From: Nashville
RE: Loud motor, high RPMs, poor pickup
If you can find the tranny repair bill, see if it lists Dextron-II or AFT+3 or +4. ATF+3 or +4 should be used.
How does the exhaust sound at the tail pipe? If you cover the tail pipe while the engine idles, how long untill it push the covering? If the enigne stalls first without much pressure, then check to see if the cat is clogged.
Checking that fan belt is a good tip too.
Maybe the A/C compressor has seized up? This would put a big drag on the main belt too. Just some thoughs here.
How does the exhaust sound at the tail pipe? If you cover the tail pipe while the engine idles, how long untill it push the covering? If the enigne stalls first without much pressure, then check to see if the cat is clogged.
Checking that fan belt is a good tip too.
Maybe the A/C compressor has seized up? This would put a big drag on the main belt too. Just some thoughs here.