Firing Order 2000 Ram 1500 5.9 engine

Kaptain, the old plugs I took out looked good, the only problem I had was removing #3 plug the tin cylinder that the plug fits in would not let the socket on the plug enough to get it out so I tapped the socket on. maybe I should pull that one back out and check it. I prob. have to two footed it like you said. there was no oil or carbon on any of the old plugs and the electrodes all looked good and the gap on all was .040 to .045. IT has a drain somewhere and sometimes after only sitting a week or two the battery is dead. When I bought the truck a year ago I just thought the battery needed replacing. After paying 95 dollars for a new one I found that not to be the case. I'm an old dirt that does not know crap about working on todays motors.

ok, if your old plugs looked good, then your intake plenum gasket is probably fine. as P-body said though, open the throttle plates on the TB and look down with a flashlight. should be dry.


the good news about the 5.2 and 5.9L engines, is that they're exactly the same as the old 318s and 360s. there's a few minor differences like stud mounted rockers vs shaft mounted rockers, oil through pushrods, roller cams, but those are all very minor changes. the most dramatic thing is the EFI intake manifold. once you figure out what the engineers were thinking with the programming, they're easy to work on!

If you suspect the intake/pan gasket leaking, try this test.
with the engine running, remove the oil fill cap and lay a thin piece of paper-like a napkin-- over the hole. It should pus out, NEVER draw in. If it draws in the gasket most likely is the problem.

BTW, I owned two different magnum engines that had the gasket changed under warrantee.
both still leaked and I got a good deal on those trucks.

Pulled the intake and found the 'mechanic', 'trouble shooter', 'parts changer, didn't pay attention to his own work.
On both, the bolts bottomed out before the washer contacted the pan on MOST bolts.
Apparently the holes were not drilled deep enough!!!
I simply added two washers to each and checked each before final torque.

Kaptain Kuda was right after checking everything again and it still shutting off I two footed it for a couple of miles and now the PCM must have reset because it isn't stalling and is running very smoothly. Thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it.
Howard

Most of all Howard, thank you for the update! It helps everyone out.

Sometimes we get on here and offer advice and solutions and never hear back from the from the person asking for help.