Ram cutting out

[Dartboy]

I think I know why my new truck was traded in- it doesn't like the cold.
'08 Ram 1500 Hemi.

During the latest cold snap, first thing in the morning, the engine is cutting out/missing when I'm on the gas. Starts up fine, idles fine ~1K rpm. I've been starting it with the auto start, so it's not stone cold when I'm driving. With a bit of throttle- gentle acceleration up to about 1500rpm it's OK, once I hit close to 2K the engine cuts out, drops about 500rpm and catches again. It will do it in Neutral, Park and in gear. I put it in tow/haul, because I think that should disable the MSD, it still did it. Once it warms up it's OK and it seems fine, it starts up fine at lunch and the drive home too. No CEL, though I haven't checked for pending codes yet.

Anyone got a shot in the dark guess? My wife's cousin has a similar truck and has mentioned the CPS sometimes has issues on these trucks.

 

[NMRam]

How many miles? Do you know if the plugs have ever been changed? If so, do you know what plugs they used?

 

[OldCracker29]

I was going to suggest cleaning the throttle body, but if it smooths out after it warms up...

 

[Dartboy]

Just under 40K miles, I assume original plugs.

Funny thing, today was just as cold (25*) but I didn't use the remote start and it was fine. I've used the remote start many times before and never had the issue. I'm wondering about bad gas? I filled up at a different station last week and it seemed like the problem started shortly after that. Getting near fill up time again, I'll go back to one of my usual stations. I used mid-grade Shell from a downtown station, so it's not like I was using some Mom&Pop shop out in the sticks.

 

[Black02Silverado]

The fuel could be an issue but I would think it would cause issues all the time. Shell is a good Top Tier fuel to use and if they have a high turn over rate then it is fresh fuel all the time which is good. Possible that the individual that owned it before you used crappy gas.

I have seen where using Shell V-Power fuel has cleaned up the fuel systems before. I have seen it in used oil analysis. Over time the UOA report got better.

Odd that it would be caused during cold, usually something electrical would be from heat.

 

[CJ Hungus]

Just under 40K miles, I assume original plugs.

Funny thing, today was just as cold (25*) but I didn't use the remote start and it was fine. I've used the remote start many times before and never had the issue. I'm wondering about bad gas? I filled up at a different station last week and it seemed like the problem started shortly after that. Getting near fill up time again, I'll go back to one of my usual stations. I used mid-grade Shell from a downtown station, so it's not like I was using some Mom&Pop shop out in the sticks.

Plugs in the this generation of Hemi's I believe are recommended to be changed every 30k miles. I know, I know, stupid. Check the owners manual for confirmation.

 

[Black02Silverado]

Just under 40K miles, I assume original plugs.

Funny thing, today was just as cold (25*) but I didn't use the remote start and it was fine. I've used the remote start many times before and never had the issue. I'm wondering about bad gas? I filled up at a different station last week and it seemed like the problem started shortly after that. Getting near fill up time again, I'll go back to one of my usual stations. I used mid-grade Shell from a downtown station, so it's not like I was using some Mom&Pop shop out in the sticks.

Plugs in the this generation of Hemi's I believe are recommended to be changed every 30k miles. I know, I know, stupid. Check the owners manual for confirmation.

Interesting. Back to the days of old with the points ignition set up and changing plugs at 30k miles for each.

 

[CJ Hungus]

Just under 40K miles, I assume original plugs.

Funny thing, today was just as cold (25*) but I didn't use the remote start and it was fine. I've used the remote start many times before and never had the issue. I'm wondering about bad gas? I filled up at a different station last week and it seemed like the problem started shortly after that. Getting near fill up time again, I'll go back to one of my usual stations. I used mid-grade Shell from a downtown station, so it's not like I was using some Mom&Pop shop out in the sticks.

Plugs in the this generation of Hemi's I believe are recommended to be changed every 30k miles. I know, I know, stupid. Check the owners manual for confirmation.

Interesting. Back to the days of old with the points ignition set up and changing plugs at 30k miles for each.

And to add insult to injury, there are two plugs per cylinder.

 

[mr_bots]

It's due for plugs anyways so that's an easy starting point.

 

[NMRam]

I would agree that plugs are a good place to start as well. The Hemi seems to be very particular about the heat range of the plugs too, so many suggest sticking with OEM plugs. Others have had pretty good luck with NGK or other brands. I have seen almost total agreement to stay away from Champion and some of the other "novelty" brands like Splitfire, etc.

It sounds like you also may have just gotten some bad gas, maybe it had some water in it that was condensing worse than "normal" with the cooler temps.