Not idling and struggling to run?

Tiny
ROXYJS30
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 DODGE RAM
  • 106,000 MILES
Just recently replaced cam and lifters in the truck listed above 5.7. I made sure the timing was correct with proper timing marks on crank gear and cam phaser inline with timing chain. Went to test it out and it idled but choppy. RPMs cycled between high and low and then the engine shut off. Went to start again and the most I can get out of it is it will struggle to turn over when I’m hitting the gas pedal but won’t idle at all. It will run and can keep it up at high RPMs but shuts off as soon as I let off accelerator. With the timing set correctly, I was thinking fuel somewhere or possible IACV. Any thoughts?
Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 3:17 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If the IAC wasn't faulty before the repairs, it should be fine. Have you checked to see if there are any vacuum leaks?

Also, did you reuse the pushrods? If you did, were they replaced in the same locations? If you aren't sure, have you checked compression to make sure we don't have a few valves hanging slightly open?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 9:29 PM
Tiny
ROXYJS30
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We haven’t checked compression after the repair but it passed previous compression tests. I was careful to put the pushrods back in the same housing and orientation.
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Thursday, October 20th, 2022 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I would confirm the compression is good. You may have been slightly off with timing, and it will make a difference.

Also, is the check engine light staying on or flashing?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
ROXYJS30
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It’s flashing.
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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If it is flashing, that indicates a misfire is occurring. Have you checked for codes since that happened?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
ROXYJS30
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We haven’t checked for any new codes because we haven’t really had the truck running enough to have any, at least so I thought. We kept thinking we haven’t been able to clear the PCM because it’s giving us the same fault code we had before we did the repair.
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Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Clear the codes and turn the key off for approximately 10 minutes. Then recheck to see if all codes are cleared.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 AT 4:19 PM

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