New Ram? What to look for?

[Cjnnewman]

Hey y’all,

Looking at purchasing a 2009 Ram 1500 SLT with 115,000 on it. Clean title Florida truck, cosmetically looks great. I’ll be taking it to a mechanic today for a PPI, is there anything specifically to be checking for? This will be my first ever dodge truck. All I can really find online is about 5.7 valve tick.

TIA

 

[Socalramfan]

Being a Florida vehicle……. Check for rust.

Having lived in Daytona, and Destin…… I’ve seen my fair share of trucks, and cars driving on the beach trying to rooster tail. Definitely looks fun, but that Salt Water is a cancer later on.

Just a thought

 

[Burla]

is it a hemi? If so, test drive to warm, check idle for ticking with is a low knocking sound. Check your 545 rfe for any shudder during trip especially low rpm, and make sure shifting smoothly. you have 30k mile spark plugs, understand what that means to you as far as maintenance.

 

[Burn2k12Ram]

All I can really find online is about 5.7 valve tick.

TIA

And if you hear it run, run far away.

 

[indept]

is it a hemi? If so, test drive to warm, check idle for ticking with is a low knocking sound. Check your 545 rfe for any shudder during trip especially low rpm, and make sure shifting smoothly. you have 30k mile spark plugs, understand what that means to you as far as maintenance.

I know what you mean but just to be clear for OP always check when engine is cold. Check that there is no heat from engine by opening hood and feeling it. Then start it and take notice if there is a short few second tap that clears in a few seconds that is a lifter that had "bled" down which is OK. A tap that quiets down after about 5 minutes or remains could be broken exhaust manifold bolts or bad lifters / cam so either run away or have seller fix it before purchase.

Bottom line with any vehicle, always listen to the engine from a cold start and note any noises you hear.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Make sure the exhaust manifold heat shields and in place not rattling around if they are you have exhaust manifolds broken studs you should hear this when you first start it up (cold start) when it's warmed up the ticking should go away, be aware of lifter cam issues when it's warmed up, make sure you don't have a check engine light with possible misfires, check brakes and make sure tires are within spec's, all fluids should be changed if they haven't been done, get a CarFax report on the vin number.