bausman

Just bought a 1997 2500 CTD, 5spd (NV? 4500) with 190k miles, 4.10 in rear, tommy lift w/pintle and ladder rack for $4900.

1) Is this a good deal? I have heard yes and no. truck was in a fleet its entire life and body is in good shape.

In this post "Turn over" means starter engaged and turning motor; "fires up" means engine runs on its own and starter released.

In order to start, you have to turn it over and then tap on the gas pedal. Usually, it fires right up and runs fine. After it is warm (15-20 minutes of driving), if I turn it off and try to start, it will fire up, run for a second or two and then immediately shutdown. If I let it turn over a little longer and then tap the gas pedal, it seems to do better and continue running. Seems to start fine from dead cold, but still need to tap pedal for it to fire up.

From what I have read in the forums, it seems that tapping the gas pedal is not unusual to get it to start. Immediately shutting down after running for a second or two is a little troublesome to me. I don't see any fuel leak.

Here are some other things I have noticed that may help:

- It is getting 20mpg with start/stop driving in suburbs - I don't have highway numbers yet.
- Feels very strong through all gears, not anemic at all.
- Turbo doesn't seem to kick in until above 2000 rpm although I can hear its whine when moving through gears.
- Turbo is not really noticeable (don't feel the kick) in lower gears (2-3) and in very noticeable in 4 and 5 around 2500 rpm.
- On the highway in 5th gear, turbo will launch the truck at 70mph - really amazing. Approaches redline at about 80+ mph.

I have test driven a 24 valve (1999) and the turbo seemed to work more across the entire rpm range more than this one.

Thoughts, suggestions much appreciated.

Carvel

NHdodgeman

The starting problems definately hint that something is off. Id prob start looking along the lines of fuel delivery.

It also doesnt seem right if your turbo doesnt "kick in" untill above 2000 RPM. My 91 hits pretty hard much lower than that and its bone stock.

fschiola

Idle might be set too low and or timing could have slipped. When was the fuel filter replaced?

bausman

I think fschiola may have something. I look at the idle today and the needle sits below the halfway point between 0 and 1000 but above the first tick (250 rpm?). So I am guessing the idle is somewhere around 400-500. I think I read somewhere on here that the idle should be around 750 or so?

Not sure about the fuel filter since I just bought it, but I am going to have it changed. Anyone know how much the dodge dealer generally charges for fuel filter change? I know its regional but shouldn't vary too much.

Update on the turbo, it tends to kick in around 2000 but I feel it more in the higher gears.

Carvel

fschiola

The needle should be at the mark that's 1 line below 1000. See if this will be of any help for you.

Idle adj.

As far as the fuel filter I change my own so I don't know what the dealer will charge you. I pay around $13.00 from Kenworth for a Fleetguard filter.It's not hard to do really. Here is the parts location for your truck. Click here

Also you should do this at every filter change. It's also not very hard to do. Pre filter cleaning

Hope this helps.

infidel

Dealer charges $42 just for the filter and $60 to install. You can pick up the same filter from many other sources for around $10.

You should be able to adjust the idle easily yourself, instructions here
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adjustm...d_Gen-Idle.htm