My 2003 Dodge Ram started missing and running poorly out of the blue on my way home from work. Made it to Auto Zone and had the computer checked - Said I needed a Crankcase Sensor. So I replaced it. Next it said it needed a new Throttle Body - so I replaced that. None of that worked. Took it to the shop next door and they said the #7 cylinder was dead. Needed a new motor - cost would be 8K to 10K for motor and installation. No way on a 16 year old truck.

Took it home and pulled the valve cover and find a broken valve spring. Went to replace it and the valve was stuck. Pulled the head and valve was bent. Looked down in the cylinder and metal shaving were all over the top of the piston. Apparently the keeper broke loose and damage the piston head and cylinder walls. Now I need a motor or pull this one apart and rebuild. Either way - big bucks....

Regular maintenance was performed on this truck. Synthetic oil used always. I understand that the truck has a 173K on it, but the spring should not just break and cause major damage.

Does anyone know if Dodge ever had a recall on this type of problem?

Thanks!

Dodge neeeds to acknowledge this 4.7L engine is defective everyone seems to be having the same problems check engine light, oil pressure, power steering pumps, radiators/ cooling problems and Dodge refuses to do anything about it. Why don't they do a complete recall on all engines??? I will be glad to tell you what the mechanic at the dealer told me the motor is junk direct quote, also the motor they want to sell you for $5,000 dollars plus still has the same problems!!!!! I was informed that this is the only motor that will bolt up in this truck, for the same amount of money i can get a crate 347ci engine, adapter for the transmission, and custom motor mounts made which would be the best fix in his opinion for a reliable and better performing truck fixing all the problems they are having out of the 4.7L....

Why did i spend this much for a truck that is going to continue to be unreliable, because out of all the other trucks this is the only one that can truly handle being used as a truck, the truck is suspension wise the best on the market trust me i work my trucks, and this is the only one that can take it oh yeah except they forgot to tell me the truck was built to outlast several of there worst engines ever!!!! I would purchase another truck from them but it will have to be a cummings(the one engine that you can trust) my other Dodge with the cummings is a 1998 3500 and has almost 500,000 miles and the most expensive fix was just the injector pump. THE 4.7L IS JUST PLANE CRAP THERE IS NO MONEY IN THE FIX ONLY IN THE NEVER ENDING REPAIRS!!!!

Update from Jul 29, 2010: Found a company that has fixed the oil flow issues with the 4.7L motor comes with a four year unlimited mile warranty they will deliver the crate motor yo your mechanic cost of motor and installation came to $3598.42. They have fixed the problems that dodge doesn't acknowledge and have a better warranty for a much better price (to good to be true?) I will keep you posted as of now the truck runs better than when i drove it of the show room floor and gets better gas milage, i have alread pullled a 34' travel trailer 890 miles round trip no problems what so ever and averaged at 19.2 mpg on the hwy, before i was getting 11 mpg no matter what. Happy to say i think i have found a good solution to the problem and ended up with a better, stronger, more reliable truck!!! KEEP YOU POSTED.

While driving down the road truck seemed to lose power. Looked down at gauges and noticed a light flashing for about 10 seconds. Truck stalled out and I pulled over to the side of the road. Tried to start and engine would not even turn over. Called tow truck and took the truck to the garage. Tore the engine completely down. Found it had dropped the third valve back on left side. Called numerous places for another engine(not many around) found one for $2300. with 113000 km. No guarantee. Called Chrysler Corp, no help since truck was not at a dealer. Currently in the process of re- building this one. Hopefully it will cost less than a used engine. By the way the engine never made a sound and all fluids were full. Has anyone else had this problem?