96 dodge ram 5.9L singlecab GAS?

Question

i am debating on whether not buy this vehicle listed on ebay they provided the following information:"UP FOR BIDS IS A NICE LOOING RAM TRUCK IT HAS WHITE LETTER TIRES ,4X4 , AUTOMATIC WITH OVERDRIVE IT HAS A POWERFUL 5.9 LITER V-8 THAT DOES NEED SOME WORK IT MAKES A RASTTLING NOISE WHEN IT STARTS,, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE OIL PUMP SCREEN IS STOPPED UP BUT IT HOLDS GOOD OIL PRESSURE AND RUNS GOOD WITH THUNDERING SOUNDING DUAL EXHAUST !! BIG CHROME TIPS THIS IS A GREAT TRUCK TO PUT IN THE WOODS IT WILL DRIVE ,BUT I WOULD NOT SUGGEST FOR A LONG TRIP .. RUNNING AROUND THE FARM IT WILL BE FINE THERE IS A POWER ATEERING LEAK AS WELL VERY SMALL ONE THE TRUCK IS SOLID NO RUST AND LOOKS GREAT IT STILL HAS THE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS IF YOU WANT YOU COULD FIX IT UP AND DRIVE IT ON THE STREETS IT WILL NEED SOME TLC "
could someone explain what the rattling noise could be. they only want $2000 for it with 124,000 miles

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140143736458&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.search.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D140143736458%26fvi%3D1

Answer 1

It's really hard to know exactly what it is without hearing it, here are a few likley possibilites. You may have something as minor as a weak hydraulic lifter, after the oil warms up it allows the lifter to pump up making the noise go away. You may also have a rod knock this is much more serious, a rod knock is caused by excesive oil clearance between the connecting rod journal and bearing. If this is the case the engine should not be driven, the oil pan should be pulled and the rod caps should be plasti gauged to determine which rod bearing is bad, more likley than not the crankshaft would have to be removed, machined, and oversized bearing installed. Another possibility is a piston wrist pin, or a broken piston skirt. From my experience with ebay a lot of people like to play dumb, they know exactly what the problem is and how major and costly it will be to repair, so they put it on ebay and say I think there might be something minor wrong with the car, but I'm not sure. Bottom line, worst case senario the engine will have to be pulled, machined, and rebuilt, and reinstalled. My guess 1000-1500 if you intend to do most of the work, Think more like 3000 if you plan to have someone else do it. If it is the oil screen It would have low to no oil pressure until the engine warmed and the oil thined out allowing it to pass through the clogged screen. If the screen is 100% clogged the engine would have no oil pressure ever, and after about 5-20mins of running would seize. My guess is the pan could be pulled in a matter of a few hours to determine if the screen is clogged on not, and If he suspected this why hasn't he had the pan pulled and inspected, this would cost only a few hundred dollars at a shop and if it was the problem the pickup tube and strainer replaced $40 dollar part, or Cleaned (free) and he could be back on the road, instead of taking a 2-3 thousand dollar loss selling it on ebay needing repair. One time my friend bought a truck displaying the same symptoms as this Dodge, it to was a 4X4 truck, it had no rattle only low oil pressure. The cause was found to be the oil pan had been crushed and pushed into the oil pick up tube (while 4 wheeling I assume) This may also be the case, but if the car would have had a rod knock as well fixing the oil pan would not have made the rod knock go away. Good luck, if you live near the truck check it out before bidding so you can hear the sound yourself, or take a motor head friend of yours along, anyone with a fair amount of automotive knowledge will be able to distinguish a rod knock from a collapsed lifter.

Answer 2

rattle means that it has probably not had regular oil changes and the lifters are clogged or shot. It is a good old gas 360 Dodge in there (that's what the 5.9 is). I would not touch it with a ten foot pole myself, it sounds like it has been beat to death for all it's life, miles mean nothing sometimes. In less it has a perfect body and interior and your willing to drop 7 grand on a new power train then I wouldn't touch it.

Answer 3

If the oil pump screen is clogged somewhat and it rattle when starting, you could be looking at a major overhaul. 5.9Ls also have trouble with the intake pan gaskets leaking (located under the intake manifold).

I'd be very leary of any rattling noise inside an engine. I'd have to hear it to be sure, but it could be trouble.

Answer 4

Find out how much another engine cost then you can see if $2000. is to much.Also the trans & tranfercase is pass do 4 a overhaul.Best look real close or the price might not be so good???