1998 dodge ram 1500 started black smoke and won't go past 30 mph

Asked by Jenn.n.Floyd Mar 20, 2017 at 05:25 PM about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 Laramie SLT Quad Cab 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My son has a 1998 dodge ram 5.2 V8 and it started black smoking and won't
go over 30 mph.  He's only 18 so we will have to try to fix ourselves. Any ideas
what to check.  Thank you

4 Answers

223,905

It is running rich. If you can should have the vehicle scanned for any trouble codes. This aids in finding a problem. Warm up the vehicle, drive it for a bit, park in a dark area and look at the catalytic converter with the engine running to see if it is glowing orange. If it is then it is plugged up, holding the engine back from acceleration. Check for vacuum leaks, snug up the intake manifold bolts, and clean the MAF sensor with MAF spray cleaner, and clean the throttle body with carburetor cleaner.

2 people found this helpful.

so checked the codes and got P0545 exhaust gas temperature sensor and P0171 bank 1 too lean. I do hear air sucking near the manifold. It does not have a MAP.

223,905

Yea, with the lean condition it's dumping fuel in to compensate. Probably what is causing the black smoke.

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