Hemi Ram Maintanance- Play Off's

ryand · 01-19-2014, 07:08 PM

So today I decided to tackle some work on the trusty Hemi Ram....In My previous life I was an Auto Tech for GM and was reminded why I dont do that any more. For those of you who have a new genreation Ram truck you may already know that the spark plug interval is 30K miles....and there are 16 plugs. 2 for each cylinder. I had the dealer do the first tune up at 36K and at nearly $350.00....I wanted to save some coin. The Driver side is such as pain that its almost worth paying some one to do the work. She is ready for the summer Camping season!

Also changed the serpintine belt and oil and filter. Took pretty much the entire Denver/New England Game but was happy to see Denver pull it off.

Old Bones · 01-19-2014, 09:01 PM

I wondered when plugs should be changed in the new engines.

When our 2006 Ram with a Hemi was in for servicing with 50,000 KMs (31,000 miles) the dealer said we should probably have the plugs changed. I told them to go ahead. I guess they pulled a couple plugs, said they were fine and never did change them. Truck ran fine till we sold it and not sure if the plugs were ever changed yet.

Our 2010 Ram also has a Hemi. It's just shy of 30,000 miles and so far this winter it has started in multiple days in a row of -35c weather and not being plugged in. One of these days I'd like to see what the plugs look like.

I remember on my older engines I'd be changing the plugs out at 12,000 miles or at least cleaning and regapping. However that was on not so fuel efficient engines.

ryand · 01-19-2014, 09:24 PM

My understaning is that the plugs need to be changed at 30K due to the coils not likeing the longer lasting iridium and platinum plugs now common in most cars and trucks. They apparently are have to much resitance for the MDS to function properly. The stock plug is a NGK.

I was actually suprized by the wear some of the plugs had. They actually had some wash out of the electrode. Some were worse than others. They had 38K on them.

mackman1994 · 01-19-2014, 09:58 PM

I had a 2007 1500 Ram with the Hemi before I traded for the Ford I have now. I always changed the plugs myself about every 35,000 to 40,000 miles. I thought that it was a fairly easy task. It was far better than some cars and trucks today. It was quite pricey though. Over $100 dollars each time.

jgroff · 01-20-2014, 07:39 AM

where do you guys get your plugs? and which ones, NGK what?

ryand · 01-20-2014, 09:06 AM

NGK LZFR5C-11 per the owners manual. You can buy them from the dealer....at nearly 10.00 each or you can get them at Oriley or your independent parts house for around 5.00 a plug. No one had them and they will likely need to be special ordered. The dealer did my first plug change and they used this part number not the mopar Number...Unless the Mopar plus are actually re-Boxed NGK's.

Blackrock · 01-20-2014, 09:30 AM

As a still working auto and equipment repair tech I take my 01' F150 to the dealer for tune ups and most work. I do the oil changes and serp belt but let the dealer do the rest.
My weekends are to short to do what I have been doing all week.

Cowracer · 01-20-2014, 11:15 AM

Real trucks don't have spark plugs. LOL

Tim

ryand · 01-20-2014, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Real trucks don't have spark plugs. LOL

Tim

Thats a very good point....one that I have often thought of!

mackman1994 · 01-20-2014, 12:39 PM

Thats why I went from the Ram 1500 to the F-350!!!

ryand · 01-20-2014, 12:57 PM

Well at least us gassers don't need to find urine for the DEF tanks, and change those messy fuel/water filters! All that work for 100% of the available torque below 1500 rpm and Gobb's of it on demand. Not to mention better fuel economy while towing. Silly fools you oil burners are.

Cowracer · 01-20-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

Well at least us gassers don't need to find urine for the DEF tanks, and change those messy fuel/water filters! All that work for 100% of the available torque below 1500 rpm and Gobb's of it on demand. Not to mention better fuel economy while towing. Silly fools you oil burners are.

no DEF for this guy. Hell, I don't even have a cat converter (musta fallen off, your honor!). There are a few drawbacks to having a real (read: Diesel) truck though:

1) Diesel gels at cold temp. The big unit gelled up on the last cold snap and had to get towed home.

2) Gas stations with 29 empty gas pumps are guaranteed to have cars getting gas at the only 2 pumps that also sell diesel.

There. That's pretty much the only drawbacks to a diesel.

One day Ryan, if our paths ever cross, I'll let you take a romp through the gears in the big unit. You will never wanna drive a gasser again.

Tim

SaskCampers · 01-20-2014, 03:26 PM

Just goes to show oil burner guys can change just about any thread that has even a hint of a question about a gasser into something about stupid diesels.

FWIW I have been in many oil burners (including semi tractors)and still will never own one. My John Deere however is a diesel.

ryand · 01-20-2014, 03:36 PM

TheSasks: I do believe them is fightin words. Popcorn anyone?

ryand · 01-20-2014, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

no DEF for this guy. Hell, I don't even have a cat converter (musta fallen off, your honor!). There are a few drawbacks to having a real (read: Diesel) truck though:

Tim

Your secret is safe with me...just hope the EPA trolls are not snooping around this forum!

Cowracer · 01-20-2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

Your secret is safe with me...just hope the EPA trolls are not snooping around this forum!

the EPA has screwed me out of more than most people will know (Doe Run ring a bell?). I figure they kinda owe me one.

Tim

Oaklevel · 01-20-2014, 04:25 PM

Popcorn here please..............

Just sayin...... my 03 Hemi got 8-9 mpg towin'....... my 05 duelly with the Cummins gets 12-13 towin' a 10' plus longer trailer & an extra 5K more pounds (& no DEF required.)

I'd never go back........

When I sold the 03 Hemi @ 93K it it still did have the original 8 spark plugs.......Had a Ford F150 one time that had 7 of one brand of spark plug & 1 different brand..... guess who ever changed it didn't have a swivel to get to it.........

ryand · 01-20-2014, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

the EPA has screwed me out of more than most people will know (Doe Run ring a bell?). I figure they kinda owe me one.

Tim

Tim- I thought about that after I wrote the post. A while back the post dispatch had a very good article and addressed a lot of things that don't get noticed. It's a shame it had to go down the way it all went. I hope you landed in a good spot.

Broadway Joe · 01-21-2014, 12:04 AM

Just a fyi if your interested in NGK LZFR5C-11plugs are available from Rockauto for $3.54 ea.

Cowracer · 01-21-2014, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

Tim- I thought about that after I wrote the post. A while back the post dispatch had a very good article and addressed a lot of things that don't get noticed. It's a shame it had to go down the way it all went. I hope you landed in a good spot.

I landed on my feet, but I might be headed to that big building with the checkerboard on the front if things work out. SSSssshhh

Tim

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