2003 Dodge Ram Misfire after overheating

NORMAN SHEPHERD

MEMBER
2003 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
88,000 MILES

My radiator cracked and the engine overheated. After replacing the radiator, the engine began chugging. Computer diagnosis reveals a po301 code. (Misfire number one cyclinder). How do I correct this misfire in number one cyclinder?

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 AT 5:55 AM

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Hi Norman. Welcome to the forum. You are missing spark, fuel, or compression. Chances are compression isn't the problem so the first thing to do is pull the spark plug wire and check for spark there. If it's missing, check the inside of the distributor cap for carbon tracking. Also swap that and another spark plug wire, then check if the same cylinder is still missing spark.

If spark is there, inspect the electrodes on the tip of the spark plug. They may have melted away when the engine overheated.

If spark appears to be ok, suspect the fuel injector. Chrysler has real little trouble with them so I'll wait to hear back on your findings with spark.

Caradiodoc

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Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 AT 6:32 AM

NORMAN SHEPHERD

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the info, but I have already fixed the problem. In checking for spark in the number one cyclinder I discovered that when the radiator broke and water spuded out, it filled the hole the spark plug fits down into and was apparently conducting the on plug coil spark to the block causing miss-fire. When I pulled the spark plug to check for spark, it cleared the water (unfortunitly into the cyclinder) and after changing the plugs (which it turned out they needed anyway) the truck runs fine. So thanks for your reply but the truck is running great. Make a mental note, if the radiator breaks the water may be the cause for the misfire.

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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 AT 6:09 AM

2 LINSEY

MECHANIC
287 POSTS

Hi norman, Definitly noted and thank you. Thank you for using 2CarPros. Com. We appreciate your donation and look forward to helping you in the future.

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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 AT 1:41 PM