Checking for Plenum Gasket Leak - Second Generation Dodge Ram 1500 - Part 1

In this video, I demonstrate how to check for a plenum gasket leak in my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. Plenum gasket failures are a very common problem across the Magnum engine platform used in second generation Rams, second generation Dakotas, and first generation Durangos.

I am not a professional mechanic, and my videos are not intended to offer professional advice. Always reference your vehicle's service manual for official information, and please do not attempt any repair that you are not comfortable doing.

Thanks for watching!

[spelunkerd]

Don't forget to plug off both ends of the PCV valve tubing when doing it this way. The PCV is designed to be free flowing when one-way vacuum across it is minimal. So, the PCV will be wide open if you leave that end open to atmosphere. Any vacuum coming from a failed plenum pan gasket will be instantly relieved by the open PCV, causing a false negative with your test. I suppose one could clamp off the tubing to achieve the same effect, if you are confident it will work and you won't damage the tubing. Some people also plug off the oil dipstick tube, although the latter is not described in the Chrysler TSB explaining how to do this test.

[fixxerautomotive]

Thank you for this video! After 3 hours on this truck trying to diagnose a bucking backfiring problem, you lead me to the problem in 5 min!

[polarisboy]

Just look down into the intake through the throttle body if you see oil then you have a plenum gasket failure.

[Scott_ittude]

I also found after changing out the plenum that the pcv hose was completely gummed up causing check engine light and other issues on my ‘99 5.2.

[Cirepstaf]

The easier way is to just disconnect the hose from the Air Cleaner housing (on passenger side) to the PCV Valve on THAT side of truck and capping the end of that hose. THEN with the truck running take off the oil fill cap on the driver side and see if you hear or feel a vacuum when you place the palm of your hand over it. Thank for this great video. WELL DONE

[dean]

Just picked up a 01 the other day and was wondering what kind of acceleration your truck has? I know it’s not a sports car but mine seems pretty sluggish. Have replaced the cat, did a tune up and replaced a few old sensors as well as fuel pump and filter which solved a few issues but still did not help with the sluggish feeling.

[eltrompudo]

I check mine like u did but mines died. What could it be?

[TheChevyman]

Mines back wards but still works the same right?

[payloadperformance]

Thank you so much for this video, im going to do this tomorrow morning!
very thorough explanation.

[ANDERSONEXPRESS]

I have a question does the 1995 dodge ram 2500 v10 have this problem

[kCI]

Bought a cherry 98 Ram really cheap, that was using oil. Vacuum at the oil filler cap. Going to do the plenum from Hughes and fix it.

[Humble_Lyfe]

Would this cause loss power when going up hill roads? I noticed suction on that tube and also when I open the oil cap.

[k.dtransport]

Do you just burn a lot of oil ? Would it cause tones of gas consumption

[stevennagel]

I stupidly overheated my 5.9. Since then it runs rough…. But then randomly & mysteriously smooths out. I think maybe a leaking plenum could’ve been the result of my stupidity. I will try this test thank you for the video

[Nukem]

Why would someone give you a thumbs down 😂 I gave you a thumbs up for all the video series on this repair!

[kieferprins]

What would cause no suction but rather smoke blowing out?

[Luigi-Bklyn]

Lol heres a story ive did with my 5.2 plenum it was lacking power so bad that i tore apart the whole top end of the motor replaced the gaskets and everything put it all back together drove it still didnt have power when i put the gas pedal to the floor ended up having a shit fit two weeks later found out my transmission passing gear cable was disconnected from the transmission so i hooked it up now its normal and wants to redline when i do push it to the floor but the plenum is good still 😂😂😂😂 after all that bullshit work and hours

[amberduvall]

Isn’t the pcv valve on the passenger side and an elbow or breather on driver side?? Mine is

[TalesoftheScales]

Does this cause a check engine light??

[dominicciardi]

I have the same engine in my second gen and those PVC valves are switched on mine the air filter alone is on the other side running to the right valve when looking at the engine ive done a total vacuum delete caped on one side and the other is open sucking air as it's only designed for ac and the other side was designed for the master break cylinder all connected, some front differentials are ran off the vacuum I've swapped to electric and that is not how you would check you can take the cap off to the oil crank fill and see if it blows air dont tell shit next you delete the upstream no pluging just put a bolt or clip the wire to the O2, the down stream will still be connected completely remove the wire from the wiring lue or plug it into a computer and tell the engine it's fine if you complete all that properly you can now run with out causing any problems no leaks as its been totally deleted if you please keep in mind its only for emissions and hurts your engine you will have twice the amount even quadruple the amount of gas going back to the tank threw the coal pack system I get roughly 30 mpg and more, every test I've done is 150 miles on 5 gallons some times 5.5 gallons over come the system we are told to live in it's a lie the truck being manufactured was 12 mpg my truck is lifted with a 12 inch lift massive tires and gets 30 mpg threw the vacuum delete you will have less stress on the engine I go about 90 miles an hour with my mods and it doesn't have to work hard at all 3000 rpm is the highest it goes as it's using 100% of the power as the engine was intended for yes it's considered illegal however it's not for older vehicles if they make laws it no longer needs emissions on older vehicles then why bother keeping the engine or the machine from its full potential emissions laws are good for 20 years you will burn the cleanest air man has ever known deleting the awful idea of control man has placed on the next man. Vaccume and O2 delete to save your engine and your money please remember to equip electrical to vacuum ran differential and break cylinders if you covet ac not to worry it still work as long as you keep it hooked up and maintain your ac components