Lemon or Typical

[smokeymountain1]

I have a 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 4X4 Diesel with 60,000 miles,so far I replaced a lift pump,Injection pump,Oil sensor,rear U joint,muffler,rear calipers, discs both sides,rear oil seal,had a water problem carpet was drenched on both sides of the cab,my only fix was to grease the floor and cover it with plastic before I reinstalled the carpet hoping this will stop the floor from rusting through,I really love this truck when it is working good and am wondering how many more miles can I put on the truck before I have another problem and what will go next, I try to hide these problems from my brother inlaw,as he is driving a 1996 Toyoto with 250,000 miles on the truck with no major problems, only regular maintenance,and it is kind of embarrassing to me when the truck is broke down and I have to call him to come and drive me to work in his 1996 Toyoto with all those miles on the it, he is trying for the 500,000 mark and I am wondering if I will be able to get 200,000 without costing me a fortune,this is my first Dodge and I am wondering if it is a big mistake as I driven Fords most of my life and never had so many problems in such a short time and so little miles,I cannot be the only one out there having these problems.
2001 Dodge 2500 4x4 Diesel.

[MSCH2112]

in my opinion you got a lemon! that's ALOT of problems for a pickup with 60k miles on it.

mike

[tkelly]

Lemon.... The lift pump is normal for an '01 and thats what probably killed the injector pump. Muffler? Diesels arent bad about rust through due to the oily fuel and living in Denver and driving on salted roads probably had alot to do with that, unless you drug it off or something. The U joint is not a major issue and like the brakes, has alot to do with the load you pull and the way you drive. The water in the floorboards can come from alot like windshield seal, body plugs, cab lights, rear window, etc... Has it always leaked or did you have a repair like a windshield or maybe some sort of body repair? As for oil sensor and seals, that should be a warranty issue as should have been the pumps.

[smokeymountain1]

Thanks for the reply,no body work or windshield work,everything was covered under the warranty except the muffler,and oil seal,the calipers stuck and burned up the rotors,they covered the calpers under warrenty,but said the rotors were my problem that DC would not cover them.

[tkelly]

Did the muffler rust out or was it damaged somehow? Why wouldnt an oil seal be covered? A local man bought a Cadallac STS that had an oil leak within 2k miles, but since it didnt leak more than a quart every 600 miles, GM said it wouldnt cover it. Something about oil consumption of under a quart for every 600 miles falls within acceptable tolerance, but id be pissed if my new 50k+ car leaked oil on my driveway. Guess thats par for the course for GM though.

[lbeenken]

If yoy got discs in the back, make sure that you just pack the sliders with neverseize. Almost all of the cars that we work on with them freeze up after time. Especially if it is in the snow. Some companies have a "fix kit" for this. They offer a urethane bushing that goes on the slide pins to help them from freezing. Not sure if these are available for our trucks or not. For the water on the floor, check to make sure that you have not knocked out a body plug on the firewall or floorpan somewhere. Also is it just water or is it antifreeze. You may have a bad heater core dripping on the carpet. Lift pump is typical and the injection pump too if you don't catch the lift pump when it goes.

[smokeymountain1]

Thanks for the tip on the sliders on the disc brakes,no antifreeze on the cab floor,just water,the muffler rusted out,we have a lot of solt on our roads here in canada.

[McClane]

Thanks for the tip on the sliders on the disc brakes,no antifreeze on the cab floor,just water,the muffler rusted out,we have a lot of solt on our roads here in canada.
Sounds like you're in Manitoba. :D :D :D

[Diojr]

You mentioned that the injector pump would also go out the window if one does not catch the lift pump going out. How do you know if the lift pump is about ot go?

[tkelly]

with a fuel pressure guage. Only way i know of. you can make a temporary one out of a vaccum gauge, of by one pre-fab for about $35. Think they are on the smokindiesel website.

[lbeenken]

Best to buy the fuel presure gauge with the isolator on it so you can always monitor it and not have to worry about fuel in the cab. I still need to get this done. You should know if the pump starts to go bad. The truck will "stumble" and loose power. Should be an easy thing to catch.

[Diojr]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into getting that pressure gauge. Keep em smokin!

[tkelly]

Mine was out when i installed the gauge and i couldn't tell any difference after i had the lp replaced other than actually having fuel pressure to look at on the gauge.

[smokeymountain1]

where can I buy a good fuel pressure gauge at a fair price,I do not think the dealer sells them

Thanks for the feed back Art
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Diesel

[chevyeatr]

Trucks here (Northern Alberta) put guards on the rear calipers to protect the boots that the caliper slides on works like a charm! Proven. By my bud that drives to work gravel 175km one way to work. no problems,(rear brake) since march.And guess what I just happen to have a set. In the classifieds.Also another little trick that we use is to install stainless tube steps(cab length) and skin the bottom in, attaching with rivets works well.(solves the salt and slush in the door gap problem)By the way, good replies on the other problems.And for what it's worth, I think you have a lemon! I have to ask did you buy it new? :IDEA: