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1998 Dodge Ram Shaking and exhaust

Tiny
FRUSTRATEDWOMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
Yesterday our truck started shaking at around 45mph, you feel it less when you exceed 55 mph. With that the exhaust sounds like it is straining and it makes fairly loud odd noise. It backfired once when my husband took me for a ride to show me the problem. The check engine light came on and he is going to try to go get the codes after work. He HAS to have his truck for work so we HAVE to keep it running.
I was reading different things online with people having similar problems. Some where saying change the O2 sensors, the spark plugs and wires, possibly catalytic converter.
I know once we have the codes we may have a better idea of the issues.
Also when he turns the overdrive off the shaking and the wah wah wah sound stopped.
Any help PLEASE!
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 5:50 AM

25 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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I tmay have a trans issue. If any of the codes are 0700 to 0795 have a trans guy look at it.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
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Ok thanks. He is going to pull up codes when he gets off work. Will the code reader at Autozone throw out Tranny codes?
Oh and also I notice in the morning that a little white smoke comes out of the tail pipe. Not sure if it does it at other times of day, if it is a part of the problem, or if it is a sign of a problem.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
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Autozone can pull tranny codes up and if white smoke when warm then have coolant system pressure checked for head gasket leak.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
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Yes it is warm when it does it. It is just a little bit of white smoke for right now. For that we would (hopefully) only have to change the head gaskets as long as there is no cracked head or block?
That is 1 issue down.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
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Ya head gaskets go first but have it checked. First as it may be something else. Heads and blocks normally don't crack unless it's been severely overheated.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
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When I drive the moment I see the temp rise I find a place to pull over.(The husband is slightly braver) The truck has overheated twice and we can not find a leak but we check the coolant level every 2 days and it seems to loosing it. We checked freeze plugs, hoses, radiator and no leaks or cracks. Would the water be traveling into the oil? Would it make the oil milky or something to that effect?
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
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Get it tested first. Head gaskets do funy things. If no internal leaks then check radiator for cold spots if there are the radiator is no good. After it's tested then recontact.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
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Ok Thank you.
Will let you know what the code reader throws.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
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He got a Cylinder 8 misfire P0308.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
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Do yourself a favor and have a pro diagnose what is wrong these are very hard to find the problem as it can be a sensor as well as plug, wires and or injector or basic engine stuff. It is to hard for a diy to dump money into parts only to have the same problem.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
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Yea we want to have a pro look at it but they charge a minimum of $100 and I don't have it right now. So frustrating!
My husband is a diesel mechanic helper, wish it were the same as Auto mechanic, would make it sooooo much easier!
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
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We found a mechanic that we could semi afford and the truck is being checked out now.
Not gonna lie, feeling kind of sick.
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
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It may be something minor thing happen
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
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The mechanic said it is the Valves. The eighth cylinder is dead! We are so screwed! The mechanic estimates $1200 IF he doesn't have to replace one of the heads. I don't know what we will do. Thanks for the help!
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
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If hubby is a diesel mechanic he can surely take ahead off and have autoparts or an auto rebuilder fix the valve. Torque is done in 3 steps 50-105-105 ft. Lbs. Lot easier than a diesel head lighter too lol. See pic for sequence.
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
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The torque was was he didn't know for an auto engine. I will show him this.
I imagine it is a hell of a lot lighter. He talks about work a lot. He lift stuff he shouldn't all the time so these should be easy peasy to lift lol. Thank you!
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
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I used to lift stuff that was heavy but now h ave a bad back and a broken bone in it so I can 't do that stuff any longer. If he stays with it he'll be the same when he's old like me lol.
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
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He Lifts a lot less than he used too. He worked on a Dredge for 7 years and did a lot he shouldn't have. I am always on him to not do that kind of stuff. He does like to shock and awe the guys he works with lol. He was lifting stuff last night he should not have because he didn't want to wait for a crane. It has to be a male thing. Lol
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
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He said he doesn't know how to "set" the Valves when installing the rebuild head.
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Friday, June 13th, 2014 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
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21 ft lbs for rocker shaft then wait 5 minutes before starting engine so lifters can bleed down. 95 inch pounds for valve cover. Intake manifold 72 inch lbs 3 times then 144 inch lbs twice. Work form center out intake plenum 24inch lbs 48 inch lbs then84 inch lbs twice.
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Saturday, June 14th, 2014 AT 12:02 PM

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