Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) It's getting annoying

[Kissfan113]

I'm getting a lil peeved at my rig... . so far I'm tallying up the things I'll need to fix to get my rig tip top again... . unfortunately the list is not overly small, and seems like most things cost dearly... . so far this is what I'm up to.

1. Injection pump - Its been spitting and sputtering since fall, causes the truck to die, I'm running a Fass 150, but the codes are showing injection valve stuck and electronic issues.

2. Ball joints on both sides

3. Boost leak on the drivers side of the engine - I believe this was due to shoddy work at a shop I used to go to, they left some bolts out of the intake manifold plate and I didn't catch it until I'd driven quite a ways, I'm hoping it's as simple as a gasket replacement, I put new bolts in once I discovered about 4 missing.

4. Air cleaner boots - they are all dry rotting, no idea why, but numerous cracks, not through yet, but in the works of it.

5. All the paint is getting rough, has the look of overspray, but it's all in the clearcoat, the clear coat is beginning to peel in places.

6. transmission is shifting hard - clutch is not fully disengaging, I think it may be an issue of adjustment on the pedal rod, but not sure, it does disengage enough to let the centerplate rattle, so i'm thinking it's not the clutch.

7. rear pinion is seeping oil

8. power steering is intermittently dieing when at idle - may be the size tires i'm running(315/75r16), but still annoying.

9. seems like every piece of interior plastic is cracking and breaking

10. drivers door is rusting out.

11. grid heater relays are failing



this is all in addition to a full brake job last month consisting of new rotors, pads and brake calipers, as well as numerous problems getting started this winter, and a fuel line that rubbed through coming off the fass.

When does it end, I've never had this kind of trouble from a vehicle for as long as I've been driving, I love the truck, but the repair rate is getting rediculous.....

 

[wlowe]

How many miles?



I look at it this way, my truck has been paid off for almost five years. Every month that I don't make a payment I save a minimum of five hundred dollars. That gives me a lot of money to spend on repairs/upgrades. Plus, every time I make a repair I try to use upgraded parts or mods that make the vehicle better than a new one.



Then there's the cost of owning a new vehicle, tax, license, registration, weight fees, less mileage and more emissions crap to deal with. Sometimes it seems that repairs are expensive until you look at the alternatives.

 

[Mishkaya]

It does seem like these things go in waves, but as far as I am concerned I wouldn't get rid of my truck for anything...

 

[JGamble]

I agree with you fully bro..... I went off roading, had to replace the steering box and pump (standard) for the sweet price of 2250. 00. After its all said and done, now, five days later, it sled takes almost a minute to start up during a goll darn rain storm. Then after that debacle, it started easier and easier a couple minutes at a time till today. No problems. Man, it seems I am haunted... . :-laf Oh well, will never let the old iron go... .....

Regards,

John

 

[Kissfan113]

I don't see it goin anywhere, Its got 136,000 miles approximately on it, not many considering, the vp only has 66,000 on it, i've been going with the upgraded parts when i can afford them, money has just been tight here as of late, company i work for has been cutting overtime, raises, and for several jobs, so the water is churnin and i'm prayin my boat stays foating. Oh yea, and the truck still isn't paid for yet, lol, i imagine it will be easier when that happens, i've owned it since Feb of 05, and am more than ready to get out from under the bank.

 

[Curious Dave]

You should have a hydraulic clutch... Try bleeding it and making sure you have fresh fluid.

Same thing for your power steering, change the fluid and see if that improves. If the viscosity is low it may cause intermittent problems.

I don't think the grid relays are that much... I could be wrong.

The leaky pinion seal could be telling you that the differential breather is plugged. I had a leaky pinion and both axle seals were leaking. I ccleaned out the tube and hose and the leaking stopped. Mine was plugged solid.

The gasket could be made out of a cereal box, or use high temp silicone.

The sputtering of the injector pump could actually be bad injectors. You can pull them out yourself and get them checked for a small fee.

Do you use something like armor all on the plastic parts? That could be the problem. I have had cracks appear due to use of "restoration" liquids. I never have used them in my truck and don't have a single crack. Junk yard would probably have the parts you need and be on the cheap side too.

As far as the cosmetics go... Well that is no easy fix other than sandpaper and spray cans, which is not a great alternative.

The ball joints are another issue. Dynatrac is going to be coming out with some rebuildable ball joints soon. I bet they are more expensive... But the ability to fix them on your own later on (w/o any special tools) is a nice idea.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[TMcLachlan]

i have an 01 with 174000 miles and it has had some of the same problems you mentioned i figure it just called routine maintance and as far as the clutch it should be hydralic and there is no adjustment all you can do is bleed the system or replace it i just bought one from carquest for 200$ the master and slave cylinder all come as one unit pre bled hastle free and im installing a new clutch right now

 

[Kissfan113]

my slave is one of south bend clutch's extra power slave cylinder units, it has an adjustment on the rod coming off the pedal,

 

[wlowe]

The ball joints are another issue. Dynatrac is going to be coming out with some rebuildable ball joints soon. I bet they are more expensive... But the ability to fix them on your own later on (w/o any special tools) is a nice idea.

Do you have a link for more info on the Dynatrac ball joints. I'd be willing to pay more for some upgraded, heavy duty ball joints. Could be good news for the pre-third gen trucks. The third gen trucks already have the Carli ball joints available.