1998 Dodge Ram SPUTTERING

1998 DODGE RAM
250,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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NIKKIPEPPARD
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  • 2 POSTS
MY TRUCK STARTS TO SPUTTER LIKE IT'S RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHEN I'M DRIVING. ABOUT 2 MILES AFTER THAT IT WILL STALL OUT. I'VE GONE TO DISCOUNT AUTO AND HAD CODES PULLED AND ALL THEY TOLD ME IS THA CYLIDER # 6 IS MISS FIRING. ALSO. I TOOK OFF MY AIR FILTER CASING WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND WHEN IT STARTED TO DO IT'S SPUTTERING THINK THERE WAS A LOAD NOISE, SOUNDED LIKE A VACUUM LEAK, COMING FROM THE THROTTLE BODY? WHAT COULD BE MAKING THE TRUCK SPUTTER???? THANKS NIKKI
Jun 22, 2009 at 6:21 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Have you had a tune up? It could be as simple as a spark plug or wire.

Let me know.
Jun 26, 2009 at 10:47 PM
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NIKKIPEPPARD
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I CHANGED THE PLUGS YESTERDAY AND NOTICED A LOT OF METAL BUILD UP AROUND THE PROBE AND OIL. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT YET. WHAT DOES THE OIL MEAN? COULD THAT BE THE SPUTTERING PROBLEM OR A HEAD GASKET LEAK CAUSING LACK OF COMBUSTION IN THE INGINE?? THANK YOU >>>NIKKI
Jun 27, 2009 at 11:03 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Was the oil burnt? Also, are you sure it was a metal build up and not carbon?

As far as the oil, rings or valves can allow oil into the combustion chamber, but it usually burns and you see blue smoke from the exhaust. Did you ever notice that?

Based on the mileage, 250K, you may want to do a compression test to identify if there is a leak or low compression in one of the cylenders.
Jun 27, 2009 at 6:00 PM
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