Thomas,
here is an post from the DML that you might find interesting. There's alot of
crap in here but it does explain a problem with the plug wire routing.
Ryan K
Black '99 RC
> This is a pretty good post I saw on the Dodge truck page.
>
> 'Bob
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim <tdw@eagnet.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.autos.dodge.trucks
> Date: Thursday, February 11, 1999 2:25 PM
> Subject: Re: Pinging 318/360 Problem Fixed!?!
>
> >Get the part number and manufacturer of the new plugs and post it, I
> >might try this myself.
> >
> >I just rerouted my spark plug wires according to the TSB you mentioned
> >(#18-48-98). The procedure is as follows:
> >
> >5.2/5.9:
> >
> >Reroute the coil wire along the inside of the valve cover (beside the
> >intake). Any excess wire should end up on the distributor end. Route
> >the distributor end of the wire down and behind the intake manifold in
> >front of the oil pressure switch.
> >
> >Reroute the #8 plug wire over the rear quarter of the right valve
> >cover. This will make it cross the other wires at a 90 degree angle.
> >
> >Reroute the #4 plug wire as follows: At the 3-wire clip at the front
> >of the right valve cover, place the #2 wire in the top slot and the #4
> >wire in the bottom slot, leaving the middle slot empty. At the 5-wire
> >clip at the rear of the right valve cover, place the #4 wire in a slot
> >that will give the greatest allowable distance from the #8 wire (this
> >is usually the inside lower slot). Remove any slack in the #4 wire
> >between the two clips. Route the #4 wire behind the transmission
> >dipstick tube and heater hoses (this may not be possible in all
> >instances; the wire is _barely_ long enough to do this). Make sure
> >the #4 wire is at least 1 inch away from the #8 wire.
> >
> >Verify that the #7 wire crosses over the distributor cap and leaves
> >the cap between the #3 and #6 wires (for 1998 and earlier vehicles).
> >Make sure the #7 wire is at least 1 inch away from the #5 wire.
> >
> >Reroute the #5 wire over the top of the left valve cover in front of
> >the breather tube.
> >
> >3.9:
> >
> >Reroute the coil wire down the inside of the valve cover similar to
> >the 5.2/5.9 procedure.
> >
> >This seemed to solve the pinging problem in my 97 5.2 Dakota, but I
> >still have a miss at idle that developed after I changed plugs. Im
> >not sure yet if it is the plugs or I broke a wire. Once I solve this
> >problem I'll post an update.
> >
> >Hope this helps.
> >
> >On 11 Feb 1999 19:23:41 GMT, "Web" <marknospamwe@selinc.com> wrote:
> >
> >>I've read all the posts lately about the pinging 318/360 Chrysler engines
> >>in Dakotas and Rams. I have a friend who happens to own a pinging '98 4x4
> >>Dakota 5 speed (318). As of today, we think the problem is finally
> >>resolved. I'm hoping that others may benefit from our findings. First a
> >>little background...
> >>
> >>My friend has struggled with a dealer for months attempting to get the
> >>pinging problem fixed. There are actually two TSBs on the pinging
> problem,
> >>however both proposed solutions failed to remedy the situation. One fix
> >>was to download new code to the computer, the other was to re-route
> >>(shuffle)the spark plug wires. In both cases the dealer seemed to
> question
> >>whether the engine was really pining because they "couldn't make the
> >>problem repeat". This was extremely frustrating, because it pinged all
> the
> >>time for us when on mild/steep hills and fully warmed up. Both of us are
> >>aware of proper shift points and do not "work" the engine under 2000rpm.
> I
> >>am fully aware that a pinging engine is not a healthy one.
> >>
> >>An important note -- my friend has wasted far too much time holding the
> >>dealers hand during the troubleshooting process. The whole problem has
> >>become quite a joke, and in reality, the problem (which is not unique to
> >>us) should have never made it out Chrysler's door. Judging from past
> >>posts, Dodge continues to ignore the issue.
> >>
> >>Anyway... we finally decided to take the pickup to another dealer even
> >>though the dealer is located 40 miles away. This dealer happens to be
> >>close to a very steep stretch of highway so we were hoping that this
> dealer
> >>could make the problem repeat by driving this steep stretch of highway.
> >>This turned out to be a good approach as this dealer had no problem making
> >>the engine ping (making troubleshooting much easier). They tested for
> >>proper fuel pressure and checked for intake (vacuum) leaks -- both checks
> >>were ok. The next step was to work with the plugs, and this is where the
> >>solution was found.
> >>
> >>The theory is that, because Chrysler has the 318/360 engines running so
> hot
> >>(to help meet emission standards), the plugs are actually running too hot
> >>(red hot) and pre-igniting the fuel at times. The dealer replaced the
> >>plugs with a cooler plug (one without the extended tip), and the pinging
> >>went away (when climbing the grade). Unfortunately, I didn't get the part
> >># of the plugs they used, but I can find out this information if needed.
> >>The dealer advises that an even cooler plug may be needed if the pinging
> >>returns in hot weather. So, the process is to keep swapping plugs to the
> >>next cooler part number until the pinging goes away. Once the proper plug
> >>temp is selected, it should be good year round. My only concern is
> whether
> >>or not the engine will pass emissions tests while running with the cooler
> >>plugs. In our case, this is somewhat a non-issue since we live in a rural
> >>area that lacks emissions tests.
> >>
> >>Now, if I can offer my opinion on this matter... It's nice to finally have
> >>a solution, but...
> >>
> >>Wouldn't it be nice if a person could fork out $20-$30k for a Dodge truck
> >>and not have to wonder if they will end up with a self-destructing,
> pinging
> >>V8 engine? It's a joke that Dodge customers have to purchase a noisy
> >>non-Chrysler-built diesel engine (Cummins) to ensure fuel economy,
> >>reliability and resale. When was the last time you heard about a pinging
> >>Chev 350 or 5.3?
> >>
> >>I've seen posts lately discussing how great the 318/360 engines are and
> how
> >>Chrysler should not replace them. I wonder how many people posting those
> >>comments have a Cummins engine in their truck? Truth is, with today's
> >>computer-controlled ignitions, spark knock detection, etc, there is
> >>absolutely no excuse for a Chrysler to continue delivering vehicles with
> >>pinging engines. Chrysler's competetion has proven this. Considering
> that
> >>Chrysler is dedicating their R&D time to the new 4.7 V8, we can be assured
> >>that Chrysler is not interested in solving the pinging 318/360 problem for
> >>existing owners. Fortunately for us, we found a dealer (at least a
> >>mechanic at a dealer) that is much more dedicated to problem solving than
> >>Chrysler is.
> >>
> >>I hope this information is helpful to others experiencing the same
> problem.
> >>
> >>
> >>Mark
> >>
> >>
> >>'98 Cummins (12 Valve) Sport Quad Cab Short Box, 5 sp, 3.55 Axle
> >>'96 Yamaha Waveblaster
> >
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