7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
147,800 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace exhuast manifold gaskets (1 reports)
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #3

Dec 142010

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

These 5.9 engines have some issues. I think they are caused by the assemblers of the motor and how well a job they do.

Timing chain cover leaks. Oil and coolant. So if you lose oil or coolant but cant find it thats where. It looks like the front seal is leaking but its the xchain cover.

The exhaust manifold gaskets start to go out when you hit passing gear you here that click. and it will get worse over time. The front end of theses early Rams 97 to about 03 are awful. U have to change ball joints during normal wheel alignments. Shocks springs go out. Wheel bearings. Also the u joints on the front dont have grease incerts. U got to replace them. The pinion bearing goes out. The two metal pieces that the windows set in have to be filled with clear silicone adhesive. It goes on and on. My drive shaft fell out. That caused big $ problems. Radiator starts leaking. Heater core has to be flushed.

- jfixit, Rockford, IL, US

problem #2

Dec 062010

Ram 1500 v8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 218,000 miles

Be careful after having your crank position sensor replaced that you don't end with an oil leak. I did & mechanic said it might be the rear main seal. Oh and my engine

now ticks or clicks whatever you want to call it. It was not leaking or clicking

before I brought it in for repair.

- Michael O., Pepperell, MA, US

problem #1

Oct 012007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,300 miles

Im tired of hearing this clicking noise and I need to fix this ASAP. Im pretty sure its a valve lifter, can anybody tell me how to remove a bad lifter and how to tell which lifter is bad?

- Albert C., Las Vegas, NV, US

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