misfire on 7 of 8 cylinders - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 03-17-2004, 01:01 PM

This is off topic. The truck is a 97 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the 5.9L V8. It is a company truck that our local rowing team use to pull a 54ft boat trailer. Typical weight is about 7000lbs, with poor aerodynamics. Typical trip length >1000mi.

The truck has a strong misfire. Runs fine, and pulls the trialer without issue. Gets 4-7 mpg when pulling. I took it to autozone to have them read the OBD codes.

I get misfires on ALL cylinders except #7

Distributor is new, but thats all I know about it.

My truck has never needed a change, and my cars are diesel and distributorless. So I dont know much about this... But would this typically be from the distributor being put on way wrong? Like 180 degrees off?

Any suggestions would be great. We will be taking it to Florida from DE tomorrow, and although I know itll run fine (just had it out to indiana and back), but running properly would be best.

Thanks for any help,

JMH

The Warden · #2 03-17-2004, 02:20 PM

Drop a Cummins in it!

Seriously, maybe the spark plug wires were installed in reverse order when the new distributor was put in. That would explain why one's happy while the others aren't...if that checks out, have you done a compression check and made sure the plugs aren't fouled?

I wish I could help more, but I haven't worked on a g@$$er since '99...

Good luck!

G-Benz · #3 03-17-2004, 03:11 PM

A V-8 has enough cylinders where the firing patterns among the adjacent cylinders can be close enough that one can mis-wire nearly all of the cylinders and still allow the engine to run...albeit like one where the timing is off by several degrees!

Usually, the distributor drive gear has a notched key that will only allow the unit to be installed one way.

I cast my ballot for the mismatched spark plug wiring order...