1996 Dodge Ram 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Magnum Issues

CYRUS78410

MEMBER
1996 DODGE RAM

1996 Dodge Ram V8 Automatic

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Magnum with a V8 engine.

There is obviously an issue with it.

When turning on the truck, it tends to just keep turning over and over (tries to start). And if I keep my petal on the gas long enough while I am trying to crank it (a long time). It eventually will start.

Then, if I turn it off and back on again (right then and there after it finally does get going), it turns right back on just fine with no problems.

But if I turn the truck off and leave it sitting for 30 minutes or longer.I have the same problem. I have to hold the gas down while I am cranking it just to get the truck going.

It's not the battery. I know that for sure.

Could it be the fuel pump? Or something else?

Also, when the truck finally does get going.I also have a lot of white or gray smoke coming out of the tail pipe. That could be a totally different problem because I know my coolant is going way too fast as well. I am having to refill the coolant reservoir at least once every two weeks. It's not leaking when the truck is turned off. So I am guessing that the coolant might be clogged and the pressure is causing it to build up and overflow out or it's leaking into the combustion chamber and coming out as white smoke from the tail pipe. (I really don't think I have a cracked head gasket or my truck would not be coming on at all, right?)

These are just my ideas. I have two main problems.

Any answers or suggestions?

Please let me know.

5 Replies

MATHIASO

MECHANIC
1,209 POSTS

Hello Cyrus78410
The problem is not with the fuel pump, I believe the problem is with compression.
When the engine is off, the head relax(aluminum head contract) letting the coolant seeping through the head gasket. That causes the hard starting with gray smoke if you succeed to start the engine. By holding the pedal down while cranking, that put the engine in clear mode and that is good thing.
Perform a coolant pressure test, remove the spark plugs and insert your finger in each spark plug hole or a rag to find out which hole contains coolant.
If you do, the hard starting problem is due to a leaky head gasket, if there is no coolant leak, get back with me so we can continue.

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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:35 AM

CYRUS78410

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5 POSTS

There is no coolant mixed with my oil, nor is there any on my spark plugs. I just had my radiator flushed. I repaired a leak in the upper hose. Then, they said the pressure was stable and there were no more leaks. However, I drive the truck often. I am having to refill my coolant reservoir tank at least once a week (I should not be having to do that). So, my coolant does not leak at idle. But it obviously goes somewhere.I don't know where though. They told me I need a new fan clutch though. They also said it could be the radiator itself, water pump, etc. What do you think?

I should also mention. That if my truck has been sitting (without running) for a week or so. It becomes very difficult to turn it on. But once I do manage to get it turned on, a bunch of white smoke shoots out the tail pipe and I mean A BUNCH. However, it eventually disappears. If the truck has not been sitting for long and I turn it on, it is much easier to turn on and no white smoke comes out the tail pipe. Any possible explanation or fixes?

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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:35 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

I would suggest that you get 2 simple tests done first,

1. Get a cooling system pressure test dome, this will help locate any external coolant leaks, I would have this done with the engine hot.

2. Have a head check done, this is a simple chemical test that will detect exhaust gasses in the cooling system, if thi sis positive this will indicate a head gasket problem, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:35 AM

CYRUS78410

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5 POSTS

Also, I should mention that. After sitting for 30 minutes to overnight. It is hard to start. But no white smoke on final startup.

Only when sitting for a few days does it have lots of white smoke come out upon successful startup

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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:35 AM

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