Dodge problems

Mad Mikey · 08-25-2003, 05:42 PM

I recently bought a used Ram 1500 with the 318. It is a sweet rig but methinks the previous owners neglected it a bit.
It goes through the oil, about 1 quart for three fill-ups and it only has 43K on it.
It is NOT burning oil but it looks like it is blow-by. The exhaust pipe has carbon on it and the right side of my boat trailer has spots of oil all over it.
I'm going to let the mechanic look at it soon but wonder if anyone might give me an idea as to what is wrong.
I'm hoping it is just a timing problem, it knocks hard unless I fill it with super,91 octane.
Maybe it is the rings or the seats. I'm hoping it is not a cracked piston and I don't think it is because that will make the engine go downhill in a hurry. I've put 5K on it since I bought it and although the oil loss has been frustrating it has not increased.
Thanks in advance.

ampersat · 08-25-2003, 06:23 PM

i hate to break it to you mikey but this sounds expensive. if it were rings, you'd be blowing smoke so the only other way would be leaking at the valves and probably the exhaust side of the valve train. do you perchance leave a spot on the ground where you park? is it running cool enough? detonation is either timing or an engine that's too hot. get her to the mechanic pronto. the longer you wait, the worse it'll get and the more it'll probably cost.

i've got a 98 dakota with the 318 at 70k miles. 3k on it with me and so far so good.

Snapset · 08-25-2003, 07:47 PM

For the knocking, call a dealer with a shop, tell them the model and year, and ask if there is a recall on it. The knock could be caused by a timing computer set incorrectly. That was the case with my 2000 van that has a 318. Fixing the timing is not going to help the oil blowby though.

24 on/ 48 off · 08-25-2003, 08:10 PM

Dodge problem.....

Isn't that an oxymoron?

--spud-- :smile:

All Wet · 08-25-2003, 08:27 PM

Have someone watch the tail pipe and see if the exhaust is bluish when you start it up but after you run it a little it stops. If someone follows you see if it puffs smoke when it shifts but not otherwise. --Probably valve guides. Check your PCV after you slip it off.(positive crank case ventilation valve) When you shake it back and forth it should rattle. If it does it is OK if not replace. A plugged one will cause blow by. I haven't had a 318 for years but they were a very good enginge at one time.

Stratocaster · 08-25-2003, 08:57 PM

How many miles is three fillups? Because its not uncommon for some "even" newer rigs to consume oil(if your talking 500 miles, thats not un heard of, take a compression test). Alot of newer vehicles call for 5/30w, which is thin and could get past the rings. The knocking could be carbon build up. Swithcing to a higher octane is also not an uncommon practice. You could also see about reducing your initial timing if possible.

1pump · 08-26-2003, 01:41 AM

If your EGR isn't working right it can cause a nasty knock. If it was piston slap it would rattle like crazy, especially when cold. The knock sensor circuit could be out also.
If it was blow-by, you'd have smoke, just like it was burning oil. The carbon you're seeing could be caused by your EGR/timing problem.

Mad Mikey · 08-26-2003, 12:48 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I have many skills but mechanic is not one of them. :depressed:
No leaks anywhere but there is a good layer of soot inside the tailpipe and the last time I drove back from the Deschutes I noticed tiny oil splatters on the boat trailer, none on the left which made sense becaus the exhaust pipe is on the right.
I estimate about one quart of oil per 500-800 miles is being used.
A buddy driving behind me thought he saw a tiny puff of blue smoke when I shifted.
Soooo, I'll check the PCV today and anything else I am capable of but I already have her scheduled to go to the MD later this week.
I don't think it's from being a bad rig, rather neglect from previous owners.
I still like this rig better than any of the F150's I've driven which is tough for me to say because I've been a Ford guy all my life.
Still wish I had that old 69' F-100 though. souped up gas eating 4X4 from he11.....

FastAction · 08-26-2003, 01:22 PM

Mikey
My ram does the SAME thing... 96 2500SLT 318. It knock unless I use 108 octaine booster, it short on oil... 3000mi I drained about 2-3quarts. I was shocked.. black carbon stuff in the tail pipe. I have no clue whats going on. I was wondering about a possible timing problem. It also has ignition problems... cranks over quite awhile befor it starts... but if I crank it quickly and stop and crank it over again it starts right up.. It has no leaks, minor valve cover sweating.. The air filter had an oil stain, and the PCV valve was gummed up... I too believe it was neglected by the previous owner.. I have 95K on my truck. I have noticed I do have a new cat converter on... The use of oil and Pinging have me concerned. I was told there is a small puff of black smoke upon startup on a cold morning.

trouttroller · 08-26-2003, 01:43 PM

Mad mickey thanks for the post. My 2001 1500 W/318
has been running poorly. I called Dodge and sure enough there is a recall on my truck. Should have paid more attention to my mail.

Mad Mikey · 08-26-2003, 03:30 PM

Mine's a 99' so I don't think it is covered but I'm looking into it right now. Check your mail and maybe we can swap some info.

The Chub · 09-02-2003, 04:56 PM

I have a 76 Ramcharger, and when it is cold, I have a james bond smoke screen :shocked:

The smoke is black, and blue. If I put my hand next to the pipe, it will get black oil on it. After the truck warms up, it doesn't do this anymore. Any thoughts????

Hogmaster · 09-02-2003, 07:39 PM

[ 09-02-2003, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

trouttroller · 09-04-2003, 06:23 AM

Hey mad Mikey, here is the latest on my 2001 dodge ram. I finally broke down and brought it to Bickmore Dodge because I tried everything to get it to run right, the place I bought it brand new. Biggest mistake I ever made. They called me that afternoon and said the Mechanic "Thinks" it was a valve problem. Keep in mind I have 63,000 miles on the truck. He said that it would be $450 just to take the heads of and look. Yikes!
But what am I going to do if thats the problem so be it. I said go ahead. I get a call yesterday and they said, guess what? the valves are ok and I had a clogged injector and that was my problem. He also stated that the water pump was going out and the plug wires were bad. Then he went into, that since they pulled the heads they had to be reground, this had to be done, that had to be done, Blah, Blah, blah and the total estimate will be $2500. Holy Yikes!!! :shocked: Well, They got me by the you know whats. They got my truck tore apart what am I going to do? I said go ahead. They said it won't be done until next week. Now, I never claim to be a mechanic but I am guessing you don't have to pull the heads to fix a glogged injector. Well, I am not going to make a stink right now because I want them to fix my truck right but there will be a little discussion with the Manager when I go to pick it up. What would any of you do? Any advice from anyone?