Cylinder #3

[WiSH2oo0]

While doing my manifolds this weekend, I noticed that cylinder #3 is brown and looks like it has oil on top of the exhaust valve. All my other exhaust valves are flat white, as you can see from cylinder #1. Any thoughts on what might be going on?

I asked the local Ram dealer, and they said if it isn’t running rough or throwing an engine code, just keep driving it. That doesn’t sit right with me, since all the other exhaust valves are the same color except for this one.

 

[Burla]

New Plugs both and Injector I would do, if not then bigger issue rings on piston 3 or valve.

 

[jws123]

how many miles on it?

 

[WiSH2oo0]

Oh sorry, approximate numbers battery is unhooked right now.

52,000 mile
1,000 idle hours
550 driving hours

 

[White six four]

Dang that's a lot of idle hours compared to drive hours. Hopefully you have the idle rpm bumped up. Hemis and idling supposedly don't go together to well.

 

[RamDiver]

.

 

[WiSH2oo0]

Just an update. Ive been doing some research and I think my #3 exhaust valve is black from a leaking valve seal. I also noticed a puff of blue smoke right at start-up then white exhaust smoke a couple seconds later. The truck is using about 1/2 quart of oil every 900-1000 miles. Changes all plugs, here's a pic of the plugs from cylinders #1 and #3. Not sure with plugs are from which cylinders though sorry.

Thoughts?

 

[WiSH2oo0]

Ok, almost ready for to start this project. Since motorcycle season is upon use now.

So have a full Mopar top end gasket kit and the valve spring removal tool.

Is there any other parts I should change out while I'm in there and have the intake manifold and valve covers are off?

57,869 miles and 1040 idle hours

Thanks

 

[Wild one]

Ok, almost ready for to start this project. Since motorcycle season is upon use now.

So have a full Mopar top end gasket kit and the valve spring removal tool.

Is there any other parts I should change out while I'm in there and have the intake manifold and valve covers are off?

57,869 miles and 1040 idle hours

Thanks

You don't have to pull the manifold off to change valve seals,they can be done while the heads are on the motor and manifold is installed.
But if you're gonna pull it apart,install all new O-ring gaskets on the manifold,and spray the hell out of the inside of the manifold with engine degreaser ,then take it over to your local carwash and wash the hell out of the inside of it with their high pressure soap setting,then rinse it out good. This of course assumes you'll know enough to strip everything off the manifold first,like throttle body / SRV valve / PCV / Map sensor etc.

 

[WiSH2oo0]

I have a 1 gallon air compressor, is that big enough to hold the valve in place? Also what PSI do I need and does the engine need to be at TDC?

 

[Wild one]

I have a 1 gallon air compressor, is that big enough to hold the valve in place? Also what PSI do I need and does the engine need to be at TDC?

Your little compressor might be enough,and you'll want to use it when it's full as odds are it's only good for 90 to 95 psi,and yes you'll want each cylinder at TDC when you do that cylinders valve stem seals.The more pressure you can get in the cylinder the better,remember the majority of Hemi's will pump right around 200 psi on a compression tester if the engines healthy.
Give the valve stems a couple good swats with a dead blow hammer or a fairly big rubber mallet,before you attempt to remove the valve stem keepers,to help loosen them up,and have a good quality magnet on hand to help you remove them

 

[WiSH2oo0]

View attachment 571460

Well I found out today why cylinder #3 has black carbon build-up. The valve stem seal wasn't seated any more and was just along for the ride as the valve stem went up and down. I wish I could see better between the other springs to see if any others are just riding on the valve stem also. Might have to buy one of those little mirrors.

The symptoms were as seen in pic from post #1, puff of blue smoke on start-up and using 1 qt of oil every 1,800 miles.

My little 1 gallon Harbor Freight compressor was running non stop during the install of the new valve stem seal.

Thanks all

 

[EdGs]

So, it had come loose and was moving freely with the valve stem?

That's wild.

I'd be scared sh*tless about dropping the keepers when trying to remove or install them with the heads on the engine.

Glad you found the issue and got it sorted. I know you're relieved.

 

[WiSH2oo0]

So, it had come loose and was moving freely with the valve stem?

That's wild.

I'd be scared sh*tless about dropping the keepers when trying to remove or install them with the heads on the engine.

Yeah, it was moving freely with the valve stem.

For the keepers, I used red grease on the valve stem where they sit to hold them in place. To ensure I didn't drop any keepers, I used a glob of that same red grease on the tip of my finger to hold the keeper while installing it onto the valve stem. It worked great!

 

[EdGs]

Yeah, it was moving freely with the valve stem.

For the keepers, I used red grease on the valve stem where they sit to hold them in place. To ensure I didn't drop any keepers, I used a glob of that same red grease on the tip of my finger to hold the keeper while installing it onto the valve stem. It worked great!

But I am working with Ed luck.... lol

 

[GeauxinUp]

Motor is trashed for sure and requires full replacement, you should just sell me the truck for $5k cash!
Just kiddin...about the engine anyways haha