does anyone know a web sight for automobile repair questions
Or try asking me, I have some knowledge in the field. What do you need to know?
-Andrew L
Year, make, model, important options. Whats your problem?
It is a 1998 dodge ram 1500 2 wheel drive ,8 cyl. 5.2 liter eng.
the problem is the eng. misses at 40-50 mph and almost feels like it is going to stop. It also backfires while this is happening.When I stop at the next light after this happens the eng races from 600 up to 900 rpms for a second. This is an intermittent problem,no check eng light and the shop cant find anything wrong. It happens about once a week, dry weather or rainy weather. It has not been very cold yet so temp. does not seem to be a factor
I figure its either a vaccuum leak, or a mal-adjusted engine speed governor.
I’m not sure what it is, but I would bet the farm that it isn’t a vacuum leak. A vacuum leak would be a constant (they don’t get bigger as the engine uses more air) so they have the greatest effect at idle. In the mid-range they are, percentage wise, almost a non-issue.
Since the problem is intermittant I am going to go with electrical. The enine speed sensor (RPM) sensor is possibly either getting electrical interferance, has a poor connection, or is dying slowly. If the signal to the computer goes haywire the engine will run poorly and can backfire. This type of problem can be intermittent and frustrating to nail down. If all else fails, leave the car with the shop and have them drive it until the failure replicates itself for them.
Question. does the problem happen when the engine is cold or after you have been driving for a while? Or perhaps it happens after the car has been parked for a short period of time after having been driven for a distance?
the problem occurs wiyh the engine warmed up after driving around for at least 1/2 hour. thanks for any help
maybe ERG valve sticking
Just a guess based on similar symptoms on a GM car, but have the shop check the MAF (mass air flow sensor), or the MAP (related part, less likely). Or you could just buy the parts and replace them. Relatively easy, and about $20 a piece if you buy them from the AC delco distributor (or whoever makes the electrical parts on Dodge.
I use edmunds.com find the car, then find the forum & talk to the guys who have the same car.
If the problem occurs after /12 hour then looking for something electrical in nature is a good route to take. Probably what is happening is that with the temperature change a component is going partially open circuit or resistance in a connector is increasing and the problem occurs.
figure it out?