 1998 Dodge Ram overheating issues |
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 Aug 4 2006, 10:28 AM
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#1
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DSM Tech Wizard  Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10  |
Recently got a 1998 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4X4 with a 5.2l. Truck Ran fine for the last 2 months. Just this week, starting when the hot weather hit, the truck started missing, and by the middle of the week it was overheating. Threw a CEL, had it pulled at Autozone, it was a random misfire code. Parts slinger suggested I got some bad gas. Replaced plugs, wires, thermostat, and put a K&N air filter in. Seemed to fix most of the missing issues, but the truck is still overheating when I'm not cruising at 55mph. I read somewhere that if the alternator isn't charging correctly, it may cause a miss as the dodges are tempermental with their voltage. I checked the voltage on the battery while the truck was running and it's only at 13.3v. I'm guessing the alternator's getting ready to take a crap. My question is could this be related to my overheating problem? Could the low voltage be causing the truck to run lean/rich and overheat? Supposed to take the truck to Chicago Saturday, I would really like to get this figured out asap...
Posted also on CID, but I think they're too busy bashing each other to actually answer a technical post. Thanks for any help. -------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 4 2006, 10:44 AM
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#2
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 Eats and sleeps DSM jargin. Group: Members Posts: 1,995 Joined: 27-November 04 From: Yates City IL Member No.: 389 |
If it has a clutch type cooling fan (I think everything does now), check to see if it working properly. If it's not activating correctly, it won't push enough air. I'd have to check my repair guides at home, but I beleive if you can spin the fan without resistence it's toast.
-------------------- 92 Eagle Talon TSI AWD "The Black Golfball" How fast can a 14B go???
91 Chevy C1500 "Problem Child" **SOLD** 01 Impala DD 07 Trailblazer Wife's new DD Cars run on blood, sweat, and horsepower... Without the first two, you can't get the last" SOB Racing "Sitting On Blocks" |
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Aug 4 2006, 10:57 AM
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#3
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 Eats and sleeps DSM jargin. Group: Members Posts: 1,108 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Waverly, Illinois Member No.: 636 |
Yes that is correct Chris.
I would also check the radiator cap pressure. My girlfriends cirrus did the same as your truck. I replaced a couple of sensors and it still over heated. I had a friend check the pressure on the cap and it was bad. Replaced it and no more over heating. -------------------- Thanks, Bud!
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Aug 4 2006, 11:19 AM
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#4
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
So if I go out and can spin the fan by hand (with the truck off of course
 ) then the clutch is bad?
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 4 2006, 11:21 AM
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#5
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Eats and sleeps DSM jargin. Group: Members Posts: 1,108 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Waverly, Illinois Member No.: 636 |
If it turns more than two complete turns it is a bad clutch.
-------------------- Thanks, Bud!
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Aug 4 2006, 11:30 AM
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#6
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
cool, thanks!
Would you say the alternator is probably on it's way out also? -------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 4 2006, 12:05 PM
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#7
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
Nevermind,
father-in-law (mechanic) diagnosed it as a blown head gasket. I'm fucked. -------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 4 2006, 03:41 PM
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#8
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Eats and sleeps DSM jargin. Group: Members Posts: 1,995 Joined: 27-November 04 From: Yates City IL Member No.: 389 |
Damn man, sorry to hear that
-------------------- 92 Eagle Talon TSI AWD "The Black Golfball" How fast can a 14B go???
91 Chevy C1500 "Problem Child" **SOLD** 01 Impala DD 07 Trailblazer Wife's new DD Cars run on blood, sweat, and horsepower... Without the first two, you can't get the last" SOB Racing "Sitting On Blocks" |
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Aug 4 2006, 11:04 PM
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#9
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,404 Joined: 16-December 03 From: Fletcher/Bloomington Member No.: 214 |
LOL poor Rob. If it isn't your DSM it's your DD. Well, a blown headgasket would explain the missing and the overheating together.
BTW, if you're only seeing 13.3V at the alternator, then it's on it's way out as well. You're supposed to see somewhere in the neighborhood of 14.4V. -------------------- "I hear he tunes the space shuttle also...and that thing is fast"
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Aug 6 2006, 05:27 PM
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#10
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
well, got the heads off this afternoon and confirmed the head gasket blew between #3 and #5. Oh well, I'm gonna thow some go-fast goodies at it while it's apart.
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 17 2006, 12:57 PM
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#11
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
As a follow up,
I decided that there was enough questionable parts on the existing motor to justify replacing it. Wound up buying a used 5.9 to drop in instead, Neal's autoparts is awesome! 
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 17 2006, 01:45 PM
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#12
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 Zen Master DSM Group: Moderators Posts: 3,008 Joined: 10-January 01 From: in front of you Member No.: 5 |
No turbo diesel?
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Aug 17 2006, 02:07 PM
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#13
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
QUOTE (natedogg @ Aug 17 2006, 01:45 PM) No turbo diesel? Ha! I would love to, but the darn motors cost as much as I've already got in the truck. That would be sweet... one of the worlds only TD 1/2 ton dodges...
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 17 2006, 07:25 PM
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#14
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,404 Joined: 16-December 03 From: Fletcher/Bloomington Member No.: 214 |
I agree, Neal is a good salvage yard! I've always had good experiences with them anyway.
BTW, I noticed that the original motor was the 5.2 318 and you're dropping in a used 5.9 360. How's the swap coming? -------------------- "I hear he tunes the space shuttle also...and that thing is fast"
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Aug 17 2006, 11:20 PM
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#15
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
So far the motors are identical... Should be very easy. Not a lot of people have done it apparently... forging new teritory I guess.
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 18 2006, 08:15 AM
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#16
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,404 Joined: 16-December 03 From: Fletcher/Bloomington Member No.: 214 |
Good! How's the transmission shift on that thing? Make sure you change the cooler filter on it. Should be a little filter on one of the cooler lines between it and the trans. Everyone forgets to change them, they clog, and burn up your transmission. This is found to be one of the prime reasons they burn up in those trucks.
-------------------- "I hear he tunes the space shuttle also...and that thing is fast"
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Aug 18 2006, 08:46 AM
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#17
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Eats and sleeps DSM jargin. Group: Members Posts: 1,108 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Waverly, Illinois Member No.: 636 |
Turbo is that the same on all dodges or just the trucks? Do the dodge cars have the same inline filter?
-------------------- Thanks, Bud!
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Aug 18 2006, 08:59 AM
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#18
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
Well, looks like I'm in the market for a flexplate and a torque converter...
 I'll look for that filter... I do have a factory external cooler and an aftermarked temp gauge. She usually runs about 150 deg when cruising. I've seen it as high as 210 while towing with the A/C on. -------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Aug 18 2006, 11:06 AM
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#19
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Zen Master DSM Group: Moderators Posts: 3,008 Joined: 10-January 01 From: in front of you Member No.: 5 |
Did the 5.9 come with a different ECU?
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Aug 18 2006, 02:19 PM
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#20
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
I do have the 5.9 ecu. Not sure yet if I should swap them or not. The ECU controls the speedo and some other things not related to the motor... Not sure if the 4x4 is affected or not.... I think I'll try it with the 5.2 and see what happens.
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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