1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Lubrication

IDLER SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the primary and secondary timing
chains and sprockets (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE
TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS -
REMOVAL).
NOTE: To remove the idler shaft, it is necessary to
tap threads into the shaft, to install the removal
tool.
(2) Using a 12 mm X 1.75 tap, cut threads in the
idler shaft center bore.
(3) Cover the radiator core with a suitable cover.
CAUTION: Use care when removing the idler shaft,
Do not strike the radiator cooling fins with the slide
hammer.
(4) Using Special Tool 8517 Slide Hammer, remove
the idler shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean the idler shaft bore.
(2) Position the idler shaft in the bore.
NOTE: The two lubrication holes in the idler shaft
do not require any special alignment.
NOTE: Before using the retaining bolt to install the
idler shaft, coat the threads and the pilot on the
idler shaft, with clean engine oil.
(3) Using the primary idler sprocket retaining bolt
and washer, carefully draw the idler shaft into the
bore until fully seated.
(4) Coat the idler shaft with clean engine oil.
(5) Install the timing chains and sprockets (Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/
CHAIN AND SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION).
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 179

ENGINE - 5.7L
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
ENGINE - 5.7L
DESCRIPTION........................182
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - INTRODUCTION..........183
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - PERFORMANCE..........183
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - MECHANICAL............185
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CYLINDER
COMPRESSION PRESSURE............186
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CYLINDER
COMBUSTION PRESSURE LEAKAGE.....186
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - LUBRICATION............187
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS - MECHANICAL............188
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REPAIR
DAMAGED OR WORN THREADS........190
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐHYDROSTATIC
LOCK..............................190
REMOVAL............................190
INSTALLATION........................191
SPECIFICATIONS
5.7L ENGINE........................192
TORQUE...........................195
SPECIAL TOOLS
5.7L ENGINE........................196
AIR INTAKE SYSTEM
REMOVAL............................199
INSTALLATION........................199
CYLINDER HEAD
OPERATIONÐCYLINDER HEAD...........199
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐCYLINDER HEAD
GASKET FAILURE....................199
REMOVAL............................200
CLEANING...........................200
INSPECTION.........................200
INSTALLATION........................200
CYLINDER HEAD COVER(S)
REMOVAL............................201
INSTALLATION........................201
INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVES & SEATS
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - VALVE GUIDES.........202
DESCRIPTION.......................202
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFACING.....202
REMOVAL............................203INSTALLATION........................203
ROCKER ARM / ADJUSTER ASSY
REMOVAL............................203
INSTALLATION........................203
VALVE STEM SEALS
DESCRIPTION........................203
VALVE SPRINGS
REMOVAL............................204
INSTALLATION........................204
ENGINE BLOCK
CLEANING...........................205
INSPECTION.........................205
CAMSHAFT & BEARINGS (IN BLOCK)
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - CAMSHAFT CORE HOLE PLUG. 205
REMOVAL - CAMSHAFT...............205
INSPECTION.........................206
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - CAMSHAFT CORE HOLE
PLUG..............................206
INSTALLATION - CAMSHAFT............206
CRANKSHAFT
REMOVAL............................206
INSTALLATION........................207
CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CRANKSHAFT
MAIN BEARING - FITTING..............207
INSPECTION.........................208
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT
REMOVAL............................208
INSTALLATION........................208
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR SEAL
AREA LEAKS........................209
REMOVAL............................209
INSTALLATION........................209
CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL RETAINER
REMOVAL............................209
INSTALLATION........................210
FLEX PLATE
REMOVAL............................210
INSTALLATION........................210
HYDRAULIC TAPPETS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HYDRAULIC
TAPPETS...........................210
REMOVAL............................211
INSTALLATION........................211
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION........................211
9 - 180 ENGINE - 5.7LDR

STANDARD PROCEDUREÐPISTON FITTING . 211
REMOVAL............................212
CLEANING...........................212
INSPECTION.........................213
INSTALLATION........................213
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING
FITTING............................213
VIBRATION DAMPER
REMOVAL............................215
INSTALLATION........................215
STRUCTURAL COVER
DESCRIPTION........................216
OPERATION..........................216
REMOVAL............................216
INSTALLATION........................216
FRONT MOUNT
REMOVAL............................217
INSTALLATION........................218
REAR MOUNT
REMOVAL............................220
INSTALLATION........................220
LUBRICATION
DESCRIPTION........................220
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CHECKING
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE...............220
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE OIL
LEAK..............................220
OIL
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE OIL
SERVICE...........................222
OIL FILTER
REMOVAL............................223INSTALLATION........................223
OIL PAN
REMOVAL............................224
INSTALLATION........................224
OIL PUMP
REMOVAL............................224
CLEANING...........................224
INSPECTION.........................224
INSTALLATION........................225
INTAKE MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................225
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - INTAKE
MANIFOLD LEAKAGE.................225
REMOVAL............................226
CLEANING...........................226
INSPECTION.........................226
INSTALLATION........................226
EXHAUST MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................226
OPERATION..........................226
REMOVAL............................226
CLEANING...........................226
INSPECTION.........................227
INSTALLATION........................227
TIMING/CHAIN COVER
REMOVAL............................227
INSTALLATION........................227
TIMING/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS
REMOVAL............................228
INSTALLATION........................228
TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER
DESCRIPTION........................229
OPERATION..........................229
DRENGINE - 5.7L 9 - 181

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE DIAGNOSIS - MECHANICAL
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIONS
NOISY VALVES 1. High or low oil level in
crankcase.1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE -
SPECIFICATIONS)
2. Thin or diluted oil. 2. Change oil and filter.
3. Low oil pressure. 3. Check oil pump, if Ok, check rod
and main bearings for excessive
wear.
4. Dirt in lash adjusters. 4. Replace as necessary.
5. Worn rocker arms. 5. Replace as necessary.
6. Worn lash adjusters 6. Replace as necessary.
7. Worn valve guides. 7. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER
HEAD/INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVES
& SEATS - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
8. Excessive runout of valve seats
on valve faces.8. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER
HEAD/INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVES
& SEATS - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
CONNECTING ROD NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply. 1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE -
SPECIFICATIONS)
2. Low oil pressure. 2. Check oil pump, if Ok, check rod
and main bearings for excessive
wear.
3. Thin or diluted oil. 3. Change oil and filter.
4. Excessive bearing clearance. 4. Replace as necessary.
5. Connecting rod journal
out-of-round.5. Service or replace crankshaft.
6. Misaligned connecting rods. 6. Replace bent connecting rods.
MAIN BEARING NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply. 1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE -
SPECIFICATIONS)
2. Low oil pressure. 2. Check oil pump, if Ok, check rod
and main bearings for excessive
wear.
3. Thin or diluted oil. 3. Change oil and filter.
4. Excessive bearing clearance. 4. Replace as necessary.
5. Excessive end play. 5. Check thrust washers for wear.
6. Crankshaft journal out-of round. 6. Service or replace crankshaft.
7. Loose flywheel or torque
converter.7. Tighten to correct torque
DRENGINE - 5.7L 9 - 185
ENGINE - 5.7L (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐENGINE DIAGNOSIS - LUBRICATION
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
OIL LEAKS 1. Gaskets and O-Rings. 1.
(a) Misaligned or damaged. (a) Replace as necessary.
(b) Loose fasteners, broken or
porous metal parts.(b) Tighten fasteners, Repair or
replace metal parts.
2. Crankshaft rear seal 2. Replace as necessary.
3. Crankshaft seal flange.
Scratched, nicked or grooved.3. Polish or replace crankshaft.
4. Oil pan flange cracked. 4. Replace oil pan.
5.Front cover seal, damaged or
misaligned.5. Replace seal.
6. Scratched or damaged vibration
damper hub.6. Polish or replace damper.
7. Crankshaft Rear Flange
Microporosity7. Replace Crankshaft
OIL PRESSURE DROP 1. Low oil level. 1. Check and correct oil level.
2. Faulty oil pressure sending unit. 2. Replace sending unit.
3. Low oil pressure. 3. Check pump and bearing
clearance.
4. Clogged oil filter. 4. Replace oil filter.
5. Worn oil pump. 5. Replace as necessary.
6. Thin or diluted oil. 6. Change oil and filter.
7. Excessive bearing clearance. 7. Replace as necessary.
8. Oil pump relief valve stuck. 8. Replace oil pump.
9. Oil pickup tube loose or
damaged.9. Replace as necessary.
OIL PUMPING AT RINGS; SPARK
PLUGS FOULING1. Worn or damaged rings. 1. Hone cylinder bores and replace
rings.
2. Carbon in oil ring slots. 2. Replace rings.
3. Incorrect ring size installed. 3. Replace rings.
4. Worn valve guides. 4. Ream guides and replace valves.
5. Leaking intake gasket. 5. Replace intake gaskets.
6. Leaking valve guide seals. 6. Replace valve guide seals.
DRENGINE - 5.7L 9 - 187
ENGINE - 5.7L (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE DIAGNOSIS - MECHANICAL
ENGINE MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS CHART
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
NOISY VALVES/LIFTERS 1. High or low oil level in crankcase 1. Check for correct oil level. Adjust
oil level by draining or adding as
needed
2. Thin or diluted oil 2. Change oil. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
3. Low oil pressure 3. Check engine oil level. If ok,
Perform oil pressure test. (Refer to
9 - ENGINE/LUBRICATION -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for
engine oil pressure test/
specifications
4. Dirt in tappets/lash adjusters 4. Clean/replace hydraulic
tappets/lash adjusters
5. Bent push rod(s) 5. Install new push rods
6. Worn rocker arms 6. Inspect oil supply to rocker arms
and replace worn arms as needed
7. Worn tappets/lash adjusters 7. Install new hydraulic tappets/lash
adjusters
8. Worn valve guides 8. Inspect all valve guides and
replace as necessary
9. Excessive runout of valve seats
or valve faces9. Grind valves and seats
CONNECTING ROD NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply 1. Check engine oil level.
2. Low oil pressure 2. Check engine oil level. If ok,
Perform oil pressure test. (Refer to
9 - ENGINE/LUBRICATION -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) engine
oil pressure test/specifications
3. Thin or diluted oil 3. Change oil to correct viscosity.
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
LUBRICATION/OIL - STANDARD
PROCEDURE) for correct
procedure/engine oil specifications
4. Excessive connecting rod
bearing clearance4. Measure bearings for correct
clearance with plasti-gage. Repair
as necessary
5. Connecting rod journal out of
round5. Replace crankshaft or grind
journals
6. Misaligned connecting rods 6. Replace bent connecting rods
9 - 188 ENGINE - 5.7LDR
ENGINE - 5.7L (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
MAIN BEARING NOISE 1. Insufficient oil supply 1. Check engine oil level.
2. Low oil pressure 2. Check engine oil level. If ok,
Perform oil pressure test. (Refer to
9 - ENGINE/LUBRICATION -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
3. Thin or diluted oil 3. Change oil to correct viscosity.
4. Excessive main bearing
clearance4. Measure bearings for correct
clearance. Repair as necessary
5. Excessive end play 5. Check crankshaft thrust bearing
for excessive wear on flanges
6. Crankshaft main journal out of
round or worn6. Grind journals or replace
crankshaft
7. Loose flywheel or torque
converter7. Inspect crankshaft, flexplate/
flywheel and bolts for damage.
Tighten to correct torque
LOW OIL PRESSURE 1. Low oil level 1. Check oil level and fill if
necessary
2. Faulty oil pressure sending unit 2. Install new sending unit
3. Clogged oil filter 3. Install new oil filter
4. Worn oil pump 4. Replace oil pump assembly.
5. Thin or diluted oil 5. Change oil to correct viscosity.
6. Excessive bearing clearance 6. Measure bearings for correct
clearance
7. Oil pump relief valve stuck 7. Remove valve to inspect, clean
and reinstall
8. Oil pickup tube loose, broken,
bent or clogged8. Inspect oil pickup tube and pump,
and clean or replace if necessary
9. Oil pump cover warped or
cracked9. Install new oil pump
OIL LEAKS 1. Misaligned or deteriorated
gaskets1. Replace gasket
2. Loose fastener, broken or porous
metal part2. Tighten, repair or replace the part
3. Front or rear crankshaft oil seal
leaking3. Replace seal
4. Leaking oil gallery plug or cup
plug4. Remove and reseal threaded
plug. Replace cup style plug
DRENGINE - 5.7L 9 - 189
ENGINE - 5.7L (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OR
SPARK PLUGS OIL FOULED1. CCV System malfunction 1. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS
CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE
EMISSIONS - DESCRIPTION) for
correct operation
2. Defective valve stem seal(s) 2. Repair or replace seal(s)
3. Worn or broken piston rings 3. Hone cylinder bores. Install new
rings
4. Scuffed pistons/cylinder walls 4. Hone cylinder bores and replace
pistons as required
5. Carbon in oil control ring groove 5. Remove rings and de-carbon piston
6. Worn valve guides 6. Inspect/replace valve guides as
necessary
7. Piston rings fitted too tightly in
grooves7. Remove rings and check ring end
gap and side clearance. Replace if
necessary
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REPAIR DAMAGED
OR WORN THREADS
CAUTION: Be sure that the tapped holes maintain
the original center line.
Damaged or worn threads can be repaired. Essen-
tially, this repair consists of:
²Drilling out worn or damaged threads.
²Tapping the hole with a special Heli-Coil Tap, or
equivalent.
²Installing an insert into the tapped hole to bring
the hole back to its original thread size.
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐHYDROSTATIC
LOCK
CAUTION: DO NOT use the starter motor to rotate
the crankshaft. Severe damage could occur.
When an engine is suspected of hydrostatic lock
(regardless of what caused the problem), follow the
steps below.
(1) Perform the Fuel Pressure Release Procedure
(Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(2) Disconnect the negative cable(s) from the bat-
tery.
(3) Inspect air cleaner, induction system, and
intake manifold to ensure system is dry and clear of
foreign material.
(4) Place a shop towel around the spark plugs to
catch any fluid that may possibly be under pressure
in the cylinder head. Remove the spark plugs.(5) With all spark plugs removed, rotate the crank-
shaft using a breaker bar and socket.
(6) Identify the fluid in the cylinders (coolant, fuel,
oil, etc.).
(7) Be sure all fluid has been removed from the
cylinders.
(8) Repair engine or components as necessary to
prevent this problem from occurring again.
(9) Squirt a small amount of engine oil into the
cylinders to lubricate the walls. This will prevent
damage on restart.
(10) Install new spark plugs. Tighten the spark
plugs to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Drain engine oil. Remove and discard the oil
filter.
(12) Install the drain plug. Tighten the plug to 34
N´m (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(13) Install a new oil filter.
(14) Fill engine crankcase with the specified
amount and grade of oil. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE - SPECIFICATIONS).
(15) Connect the negative cable(s) to the battery.
(16) Start the engine and check for any leaks.
REMOVAL
(1) Perform the Fuel System Pressure Release pro-
cedure (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIV-
ERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(2) Disconnect the battery negative cable.
(3) Remove the air cleaner resonator and duct
work as an assembly.
(4) Drain cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(5) Remove the accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
9 - 190 ENGINE - 5.7LDR
ENGINE - 5.7L (Continued)