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Dodge Ram 1994-2001: How Long Will My 5.9 or 5.2 Liter V8 Last?

Ever wonder how long you can expect your Dodge Ram's V8 to last? This article covers the life expectancy of the 5.2 and 5.9 liter V8's, plus some ways you can extract more life from your engine.

By Brett Foote - June 22, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram (1994-2001).

Every truck owner thinks about it at some point - just how long can I expect my engine to last? At some point, no matter how good the motor is or what sort of reputation it has, the need for a replacement is going to occur. There are a number of factors that play into engine wear like driving conditions, driving style, maintenance, and climate, to name just a few. Today's automotive engines are designed to last for a very long time with minimal maintenance, but even the best of the best will eventually be worn beyond repair. So just how long can you expect your 5.2 or 5.9 liter V8 to last? We checked in with owners to find out.

Common Issues

The Dodge 5.2 and 5.9 liter V8's have their fair share of known issues that can prematurely end their lives. Cracked heads and engine blocks are quite common when mileage exceeds 100,000. Plenum leaks are also an issue, along with various check engine light codes. The aluminum on the steel belly pan can cause the gasket to go bad, and the evap and heater core tend to develop leaks.

Figure 1. Cracked engine block.

Scheduled Maintenance

One of the most important ways you can extend the life of your 5.2 or 5.9 liter engine is to ensure that all scheduled maintenance is completed as outlined in your owner's manual. Changing the oil, fluids, and filters frequently keeps your engine parts lubricated, moving freely, and breathing easy. These steps will prevent premature wear on all moving parts. If you are buying a used truck, always ask to see a maintenance schedule to ensure this work was completed on time.

Figure 2. Regular scheduled maintenance of your vehicle is like a Dr. check-up for your vehicle.

Driving Style/Conditions

Do you drive your truck gingerly and baby it around town? Or are you a pedal to the metal type, attacking the drag strip or an off road mud course on the weekends? Driving your truck harder will put more stress on your engine, which in turn reduces the life of your parts. Weather conditions can have an effect as well on your vehicle. Getting debris and dirt in the engine can cause some issues. Extreme heat/cold or sharp temperature shifts can wreak havoc on parts as well.

Figure 3. Where and how you drive your truck can affect engine life.

What to Expect

Owners of the second generation Dodge Ram report getting anywhere from 150,000 to a little over 400,000 miles on their trucks. If that seems like a huge variance, that's because it is. Since we all drive and maintain our vehicles in different ways, along with the little variances that exist between models, your life expectancy will vary. The best way to ensure that you squeeze as many miles as you can out of your truck is to avoid abusing it and ensure that proper, scheduled maintenance is completed.

But then again, sometimes it just comes down to pure luck. Some Ram owners have abused their trucks and pushed off maintenance only to see their trucks run for well longer than they should have. Others may perform maintenance right on schedule and baby their trucks, only to have catastrophic failures at 150,000 miles. Sometimes it's just luck of the draw.

Figure 4. The Dodge Ram will treat you as well as you treat it.

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