1989 Dodge Ram engine idles ok but truck will not go above

1989 DODGE RAM
84,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • MANUAL
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HUNTR1975
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I have a question about my truck it is a 1989 dodge 3/4 ton 4wheel drive. It only has 84000 org. miles.
I noticed it was starting to get sluggish a few days ago. So I haven't driven it much until today to see if I could figure it out. While driving it got worse now will not go above 45- 50 mph and making a noise.
I was able to get it home and raised the hood and reved the engine by hand and it started to sound almost like a bumble bee or lawn mower. Idleing the engine sounds fine. Any help you could give me in this matter would be greatly appeciated. I work for myself and so my truck is my lifeline you could say but it's not in the budget right now for a new truck.
Feb 21, 2009 at 1:54 AM
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MIKE H R
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have you change the fuef filter yet, see if you can pinpoint where the noise is comming from. is it a deep sound like it is starving for fuel? Or is it another sound. it could be some other problem but changing the fuel filter is somewhere to start with
Feb 21, 2009 at 2:10 AM
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HUNTR1975
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Thank you for the quick response. I haven't changed the fuel filter yet I'm sure it would'nt hurt though. It almost sounds like the noise may be exhaust. I don't hear it until I rev the engine alittle. The truck starts fine and idles fine. Could an exhaust leak at the manifold affect anything. Also I get a strong smell of exhaust when I rev the engine from under the hood. I just found a good size exhaust leak at the drivers side manifold. When i say good size it's enough to feel the exhaust very easily and even see the exhaust when engine is rev'd.
Feb 21, 2009 at 4:23 AM
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MIKE H R
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most times a exhaust leak would only make the truck sound like a racing truck with no exhaust. I am wondering how the catalic converter is. with the engine running have a friend rev up the engine a little and see how much exhaust is comming out of the tail pipe. If you hear a rattling where the converter is then the converter could be not letting the exhaust through making back pressure, this will cut down the effecientcy of the engine
Feb 26, 2009 at 1:38 AM
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HUNTR1975
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Thank you for your help I fixed the manifold leak anyway and it still blew exhaust back throught filter at the smog controls pump or air pump. So I thought also about the catalytic converter. I actually drilled hole in the exhaust pipe before the converter to see if this would help since I could easily repair a drill bit hole. That helped alot so I got a new converter and installed it. Runs like a new truck. Thanks for all the help.
Mar 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM
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MIKE H R
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your welcome!!
Mar 8, 2009 at 1:22 AM
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