2004 5.7 hemi ram 1500 4x4 problems

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MyGirlis2Phat

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Nov 14, 2022
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Location
New orleans
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7 hemi
Ok so i just got a 2004 ram 5.7 and have a few questions regarding its condition.

Heres the problems ive noticed :
2 of the spark plugs on the drivers side had small amounts of oil on them.
The truck when i come to a dead stop wants to idle at 525ish rpms but if i tap the gas it will idle at 625.
Sometimes at highway speeds the rpms seem to drop down to a plateau of about 1500 rpms.its usually when i let off the gas however the truck doesnt seem to lose any power when this happens.if i floor it the rpms will jump back up and usually be fine afterwards.
The coolant was a little low so i added some but noticed afterwards when i accelerate there was a faint water trickling sound that seems to be behind the dash.ive heard i need to “burp it” and will be trying that tonight
Lastly the serpentine belt looks almost brand new but it squeeks fairly loud.i read online if you pour water on it while running and the squeaking stops then it needs to be tightened.the water did make it stop but i have yet to tighten it.
So in short my current agenda is to clean the throttle body and filter.it has a kN cold air intake which seems to be a little dirty and the throttle body had maybe a 1/16th of carbon buildup around the edges so im hoping cleaning these will fix the low idle.

just looking for any other suggestions/advice.thanks
 
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MyGirlis2Phat

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2004
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5.7 hemi
Also forgot to mention there is no check engine light on and the truck does have a good bit of extra wiring(aftermarket rock lights underneath entire truck as well as a back up camera and lights on the interior floorboard)
 
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MyGirlis2Phat

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Ok so update i cleaned the throttle body and the MAF.owners manual says this truck doesnt have an maf sensor however the kn exhaust has a sensor in it and thats what the previous owner said it was.so far this has not solved the hesitation.i am going to change the valve cover gasket and o rings today (been raining all week) and i want to test my coil packs as well.still looking for advice.
 

GrossmeisterB

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Nov 19, 2022
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Location
Germany
Ram Year
2004 RAM 1500
Engine
5.7 HEMI 4x4 with LPG (Prins VSI)
What do you mean with "spark plugs had oil on them"? On the connector side or when you screwed them out and had a look? Engine inside the combustion chamber can have many culprits though.
Is the intake looking clean?
 
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MyGirlis2Phat

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2004
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5.7 hemi
What do you mean with "spark plugs had oil on them"? On the connector side or when you screwed them out and had a look? Engine inside the combustion chamber can have many culprits though.
Is the intake looking clean?
They had oil on the threads of the spark plugs towards the top of the threads(opposite end of where they spark)and i cleaned and oiled the kn air filter very well.still having some hesitation but the truck did seem to have more power from what ive done so far
 

Lyle Longboat

2011 Ram 1500 5.7 Sport CC
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Hemi 5.7
That’s your valve cover gaskets around the spark plug seals why you have oil around the plug threads. Change them.
 
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MyGirlis2Phat

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So i replaced valve cover gasket and put on a new throttle body as well as the air charge sensor.still bogging down at 40+ mph.
I have notice that at least one of the back bolts of my passenger side exhaust manifold is broken because the shield is hanging.does anyone know if broken exhaust manifold bolts could cause an engine to bog down at higher speeds?considering replacing with headers.
 

Lovemy06

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2006
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Try checking voltages at your injectors and coil packs.
 
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