What could cause this? TIA</P>


1997 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 litre 104K miles.</P>

 

Have you ever changed the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor? Are you sure the plug wires are completely snapped onto the plugs?</P>

 

I fully agree withJerry's suggestions...

That's the logical problem... and I bet it's the Cap and Rotor being very worn, if you've never done plugs, wires, cap and rotor... it's definatelytime.

~Amanda</P>

 

Hi,are the wires, for sure!! I get exactly the same error half a year ago,and we changed the whole wire-tree and everything was fine again.I bet your engine is rumbling at the idle,if you wait at a stoplight,right?At the passenger side is the original cable a little too short and though its rub at the covers.Bye, Mikel</P>

 

Thanks, I guess I should have mentioned that I have changed the plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor and had the fuel injectors cleaned. All within the last 2 weeks. It has a code 43 and 2 different places used a computer to analyze and both came up with a misfire in cylinder #6 and one came up with the cylinder #3 and 5 also. I have done a compression check and the lowest cylinder is 133 and the highest is 149. The Dodge dealer was the second place I took it to and their answer for this problem doesn't sound logical to me. Sorry for the secrecy but I'm looking for unbiased opinions to what would cause this incase someone mentions what they have said, then I'll feel better believeing what they told me.</P>


The only symptoms are the rough idle in gear and in park. The truck runs fine otherwise that I can tell. I'll tell what the stealership told me once i get a few more opinions now that I have cleared up the things I've done to try and fix it.</P>


Thanks.</P>

 

I guess there's no real mechanics on this forum or they don't want to give away free information. Surely the comp test results would be a good or a bad sign. I believe they are within specs myself. Oh well.</P>


As for what the STEALERSHIP told me. They said that I have cracks between the valves in my heads and they need to be replaced. They said it's a common problem on 97's. They also said the 16 psi difference between cylinders is a sign of that. 10 psi is Dodges maximum. The repair book I have says 40 psi max. I'd like to know how they can say it's cracks when they haven't seen the heads? What if it's rings? What if it's just the computer? I know I'm not spending $2800 for them to do it. I can get refurbished (just like they are) heads for $500 for the pair instead of $698 each that they want. I can also do the work myself and save the $1066 labor charge. But, I don't want to do any of it if they are talking out their **** like I believe they are. I guess I'll get no help from the Dodge forums tho. Thanks anyway.</P>


David</P><edited><editID>wshrdskin</editID><editDate>37948.537337963</editDate></edited>

 

I'm sorry you feel that way... I don't think it's right that you're insulting us... but hey, you can't please everyone, right?

Maybe the valves are just sticking...? Not cracked, but just sticking valves. Whether they are sticking or cracked, both problems would cause your troubles.

I hope you find your answers... I'm sorry I was too busy this weekend to get back to reply to you after you posted that you had already donethe wires... I would have then suggested sticking valves.... before you posted about the dealership.

~Amanda</P><edited><editID>Dodgegirl19</editID><editDate>37948.5750115741</editDate></edited>

 

I didn't insult anyone. When I say "real mechanics" I'm meaning actual dealership mechanics or garage mechanics that do what they do for a living. Not trying to insult any of those that know an answer to a question and help others. With this post and another on this subject that I made there has been no opinions to the problem. I just figured the problem was above those that post here. It's better to not give opinions on problems if your not sure of what your talking about, so to not give misinformation and I appreciate it that way. It was my fault that I didn't state what I had already done and appreciated the responses to the blind question I made. Those were all logical responses to my problem. Thanks for your responses and help and I appologise for the misunderstanding.</P>


I believe a sticking valve would cause a loss of compression and that doesn't appear to be the case for me, thanks.</P>


David</P><edited><editID>wshrdskin</editID><editDate>37948.6670717593</editDate></edited>

 

That's what I meant as an insult. I try to give out as much free info as I can and I'm very helpful here, and I'm not a real mechanic... so I suppose I took this personally. I apologize.

I hope you find this problem, it must be maddening without knowing for sure. With the compression loss, I'd think something is cracked... but I could be wrong.

Not to side with the dealership, but no matter what they are charging you... when it comes to a big engine job like they are hoping to get from you, they won't lie. Simply because they love your money, but they know it's a lot and there is even less room for error when there's a big money job involved.

~Amanda</P>

 

Thanks,</P>


We'll see after x-mas. If a solution does not turn upby then, I will tear it apart and check the heads. It's gonna get drove this way until then unless it starts running real bad. It idles smoothly at times and rough at others. Got some Dune trips to make so this thing needs to hold together until I can take it apart. </P>


David</P>