Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) High mileage, poor performance

[hsmith]

Good friend working on his brother's '94. Former hotshot rig. This is not a typo. 740k with no major repairs. All of a sudden, started missing and backfiring with no power. My opinion is blown head gasket. Don't know the procedure for checking compression. With this mileage, is it worth the expense of repairs, knowing the head is probably going to have to be replaced. Throwing good money after bad?

 

[Smokin Dodge]

Sounds like the timing has slipped I would check that first Ive never heard of those symtoms from a blown head gasket.

 

[Joe G.]

I agree with Smokin Dodge. A blown head gasket won't act like that. Timing is the most probable cause of those symptoms.

 

[nfox]

Low Power

I also agree with Smokin Dodge and Joe G i would bump that timing up to 15* or 16*. Oo.

 

[hsmith]

Thanks to all. I will be helping him this next week. I also have the timing tools and have done a few. Will post the results.

 

[hsmith]

Strike three on this one boys. Timing did not slip. I think it is injectors. Pulled them today and will have them benched Monday.

 

[Smokin Dodge]

I would also check the lift pump if its original it probably needs changed .

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Nah, that can't be the original ...

I would also check the lift pump if its original it probably needs changed .

Other things to check is fuel pressure, overflow valve, etc. And make sure it's not sucking air around the prefilter. . . I would take that apart and clean it and install a prefilter service kit, they're 6 bucks from Cummins.

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/pre-filt_clean.htm