2009 hemi Laramie 4x4 crew - 204k miles

[EMDubYa]

Just moved to Denver from Houston and had truck hauled up, too. Before I left TX it started having old truck issues, loose front end, mds crap, and well.....it just seems like power is going away, and it's just running like crap overall. Here in Denver the other day I was climbing a hill after a car wash and the trans seemed to struggle to find a gear. Next day.....no issues whatsoever. I love my truck and don't want to ditch it just yet (especially with the unlimited mile/year power train warranty), but man am I getting nervous these days. Any suggestions for a high mile 5.7 4x4?

 

[EMDubYa]

Forgot to add that it has 204k on the clock.

 

[RamRoy]

With the lifetime powertrain warranty, take it in. I also have an 09 4x4 with 173,000.

If it is powertrain issues, take her in

 

[ColdCase]

Denver is a higher altitude than Houston, many vehicles seem to run like crap there.

How many tanks of fuel have you gone through since it started running like crap?

How clean does the throttle body look?

Any debris in the air filter box?

Anything clogging up the exhaust?

Look for vacuum or brake booster leaks as some of those rubber things get brittle over 10 years.

Take a look at the plugs

Any brakes dragging?

Otherwise you may have to run a compression or leak down test to get a picture of how well the valves and rings are sealing. But check the simple things first.

 

[EMDubYa]

Thanks Cold Case. The problems actually started back in Houston with the MDS acting up. Several trips to dealer netted me a response of ‘shift to 5 and drive that way’. And its worked for quite some time. But now there are these new issues.

Plugs were changed last spring. Air Filter is replaced and intake tube examined regularly. Throttle body was cleaned recenty. Drove through high water during Harvey but nothing that would have gotten into the motor or trans.

Haven’t checked thoroughly checked the hoses but they don't appear to be in bad shape.

Not sure what you mean by brakes dragging. The brakes in this truck have been NOTORIOUSLY terrible after the initial brake change. Constant shuddering and brake fade and pedal is near the floor to stop from 60.

I will say that the coolant levels are seemingly always low (radiator replaced 4 ears ago) but yet I find no evidence of coolant in the oil.

Thoughts?

 

[Pull Ya]

Excellent Ram 4x4 mechanic in Ft Collins(just north of Denver), Colorado 4 Wheel Drive, owner is Kurt Zimmerman. In business for about 35 years.
Jay

 

[huntergreen]

What shape is your battery in ? Funky things happen if the battery isn't working properly.

 

[huntergreen]

Also sounds like your dealer in Texas screwed you. MDS is part of the drivetrain,should have been fixed, not told to shift into 5th gear.

 

[EMDubYa]

Excellent Ram 4x4 mechanic in Ft Collins(just north of Denver), Colorado 4 Wheel Drive, owner is Kurt Zimmerman. In business for about 35 years.
Jay

Thanks! I'll reach out to him for sure. Really appreciate the info!

 

[EMDubYa]

What shape is your battery in ? Funky things happen if the battery isn't working properly.

Battery is new. I've had the same problems on my '04 so that is usually first place I look when problems pop up.

 

[RamInfo]

Just on general principle, at that mileage I’d hit NAPA and get a can of BG44. Run it through next time you’re doing a longish road trip. Also, you’re now a mile high which is probably quit a switch from Texas. Your truck may have some learnin’ to do?
Best,
DG

 

[ColdCase]

.... Throttle body was cleaned recenty. ...

Did your troubles start about the same time as the cleaning?

 

[EMDubYa]

No. The issues started prior to that.

 

[bob moore]

With the lifetime powertrain warranty, take it in. I also have an 09 4x4 with 173,000.

If it is powertrain issues, take her in

what YOU mean life time

 

[indept]

what YOU mean life time

Starting in july of 07 and continuing for a few years Daimler Chrysler was giving free lifetime powertrain warrantys

 

[averageguy]

Thanks Cold Case. The problems actually started back in Houston with the MDS acting up. Several trips to dealer netted me a response of ‘shift to 5 and drive that way’. And its worked for quite some time. But now there are these new issues.

Plugs were changed last spring. Air Filter is replaced and intake tube examined regularly. Throttle body was cleaned recenty. Drove through high water during Harvey but nothing that would have gotten into the motor or trans.

Haven’t checked thoroughly checked the hoses but they don't appear to be in bad shape.

Not sure what you mean by brakes dragging. The brakes in this truck have been NOTORIOUSLY terrible after the initial brake change. Constant shuddering and brake fade and pedal is near the floor to stop from 60.

I will say that the coolant levels are seemingly always low (radiator replaced 4 ears ago) but yet I find no evidence of coolant in the oil.

Thoughts?

If you are finding the coolant low and having to fill it up either it is leaking it somewhere externally, or its going into or through the engine and out the exhaust. A slight leak can evaporate and not be seen on the ground, and a minor internal leak can go out the exhaust and not be noticed.

 

[indept]

If you are finding the coolant low and having to fill it up either it is leaking it somewhere externally, or its going into or through the engine and out the exhaust. A slight leak can evaporate and not be seen on the ground, and a minor internal leak can go out the exhaust and not be noticed.

Also it could be the radiator cap not holding pressure. Antifreeze will boil off slowly if cap isn't holding pressure

 

[huntergreen]

No. The issues started prior to that.

Any update ?