Ram Van overheat/engine sludge headache

[FirefighterWMFD]

Hi all,
I have a '98 Ram Van that has been a pain in my ass. It all started with the oil pressure dropping to zero. Now I'm on my 3rd oil pump and it has a overheating problem now. I changed the thermostat and it still overheats. I'm starting to think it could be a blown head gasket. I now have 175,000 miles on this P.O.S. which from what I've been reading is about 75,000 more than most get with the 5.2 engine. What is up with these problems on these engines? Now to add insult to injury the wife just bought a '99 durango with guess what, yup a 5.2. That's just great, another headache coming soon I'm sure.

[BleedDodge]

That is a lot of miles. You should be proud. If that was a GM van it would have already had 3 motors and 5 transmissions go through it.

[frankendart]

Originally Posted by FirefighterWMFD

Hi all,
I have a '98 Ram Van that has been a pain in my ass. It all started with the oil pressure dropping to zero. Now I'm on my 3rd oil pump and it has a overheating problem now. I changed the thermostat and it still overheats. I'm starting to think it could be a blown head gasket. I now have 175,000 miles on this P.O.S. which from what I've been reading is about 75,000 more than most get with the 5.2 engine. What is up with these problems on these engines? Now to add insult to injury the wife just bought a '99 durango with guess what, yup a 5.2. That's just great, another headache coming soon I'm sure.

Sorry you're having a such a problem. Sounds like you've either got a blown head gasket, or a warped head or two.


By the way, I've owned 3 vans with 318, a 1976, a1981, and a 1986. When I sold them, the had 186,000, 202,000, and 301,000 miles on them respectively. Never rebuilt an engine or replaced a major componant on any of them.
I don't know where you got your info about 75K being the limit on the 5.2 or 318 engine, but I can tell you, it's wrong.

[FirefighterWMFD]

I'm referring to all the threads I've been reading on the newer 5.2's. Alot of engine sludge problems. Especially in the durangos.

[86dodgevanb250]

Just got a 86 B250 w/ 318. It has big time carbon build up with 69,000 original miles. Idled alot working for highway dept. Put in a detergent additive to begin cleaning out deposits and now a noise has begun. Coming from valves/head/exhaust manifold. Thinking could be a brnt rod as this engine had backfired alot according to the last owner. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot further? Thanks