1996 Dodge Ram Cyl 5, 7 Engine noise Dodge Ram 1500 5.9

SCRAGHTY604

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1996 DODGE RAM

Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Dodge Ram V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

So I have done a compression test on all cyl. All Are between 130 and 150. On cyl 5 and 7 added tablespoon of oil, pressure did increase by around 5 psi.

Listened for starter drag, all pretty equal.

Pulled plugs 5, and then 7 engine noise went away.

Engine rhythm changes so plugs and wires are good.

So not sure what the problem is.

5 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
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Could you elaborate a bit about noise?

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Saturday, August 29th, 2009 AT 3:15 PM

SCRAGHTY604

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Almost sounds like an exhaust leak like a tick. When I pull the plugs on 5 and 7(BOTH) it goes away, high revs seems to run fine. But runs terrible when driving in 4th or 5th at low rpms just has no power. Usually have to turn over drive off and that helps a bit.

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Its never done this before but now when it shifts gears only sometimes it goes BRA BRA BRA like as if im stomping on the throttle on and off. The truck is really in just the need of a major overhaul. Is thoses compression numbers correct I thought they should be around 160

PS ALL plugs were cleaned and reinstalled came out sooty. I havent tested for vacume leaks, but that shouldnt be causing the ticking.

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Saturday, August 29th, 2009 AT 6:59 PM

DOCFIXIT

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Think ticking is caused by headgasket leak between 5 &7. Was compression same in 5 & 7? Also oil should have made compression come up 20-40psi. So that tells me valve or gasket fault. And compression a little low but passable. As for trans does it feel like it goes into neutral and engine speeds up? As for plugs maybe faulty engine temp sensor and dirty MAF.
Hope this helps

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Sunday, August 30th, 2009 AT 1:06 PM

SCRAGHTY604

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Yes it does help thank you. Easy enough to swap heads since I have another motor in the garage. No point fussing around I was leaning towards some sort of fault in the head and your thoughts confirm this. Should give me a chance to check the condition of the pistons and cyl walls as well as intake for carbon build up. Sounds like a good place to start. Thank you.

As for the tranny, it does it at higher revs and nope no neutral its just as if I was stomping on and of the throttle rapid succession 2-3 times then shift. Its an offroad truck and has had some HEAVY use. I haven't even begun to diagnose that yet. Maybe a better question I should ask simplify things, How hard is it to rebuild a transmission. Area of a vehicle I don't know to much about. And should really learn more.

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Sunday, August 30th, 2009 AT 2:21 PM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
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Sounds like you got engine covered. As for trans it is a big job to O/H but seems like you got some skills and knowledge. First one I did years ago was a Ford C4 got a manual took Polorides of teardown. Plywood on sawhorses for bench, muffin tins for small parts and tuperware. Need pan to soak clutches in some petrolum jelly. Couple special tools needed not too expensive maybe able to rent. Air compressor, inch lb. Torgue wrench and most of all KEEP every thing clean. Let me know if you go for it will help.