Ram 1500 Air fuel ratio imbalance

Ram 1500 Air fuel ratio imbalance

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Tubes63

Original Poster:

130 posts

137 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
Gents,

I’m in the US these days but still interested in the opinion of this group.

I have a 2013 Ram 1500 with a 5.7l v8. For about a year it had an on and off code indicating a bad catalytic converter. I decided to replace the cat with aftermarket parts at an independent garage a few weeks ago. They also replaced the evap purge valve because it was apparently bad.

After my first long drive post replacement, got a p219A code which indicates air/fuel imbalance on bank 1. Took it back to the garage and they went through the wringer trying to fix it. They:

Re-replaced the catalytic converter
Fixed a couple small exhaust leaks
Replaced spark plugs
Swapped the o2 sensors from bank 1 to bank 2 and vice versa
Also swapped the injectors from bank to bank
Checked the cam shaft and lifters which seemed fine
Replaced the god damn ECU

Still getting the fking code for the same bank, and I’d say getting ~1-2 mpg less than before I had the cat swapped.

Not sure where to go from here - I’ll be taking it to the dealer but any thoughts from this community on where to look or how to better diagnose? I’m at a loss, love my truck but I’ve spent close to 10k on it over 12 months with this plus a rear end rebuild and am approaching my breaking point.

Thoughts appreciated

Cheers

Belle427

9,744 posts

240 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
Probably a vac leak check would be first on the list and find a better garage.
Most places don’t know how to diagnose correctly.
Have a look at you tube channels south main auto and pine hollow auto diagnostics, they know the right way and may well have done one of your vehicles.

stevieturbo

17,535 posts

254 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
Tubes63 said:
Gents,

I’m in the US these days but still interested in the opinion of this group.

I have a 2013 Ram 1500 with a 5.7l v8. For about a year it had an on and off code indicating a bad catalytic converter. I decided to replace the cat with aftermarket parts at an independent garage a few weeks ago. They also replaced the evap purge valve because it was apparently bad.

After my first long drive post replacement, got a p219A code which indicates air/fuel imbalance on bank 1. Took it back to the garage and they went through the wringer trying to fix it. They:

Re-replaced the catalytic converter
Fixed a couple small exhaust leaks
Replaced spark plugs
Swapped the o2 sensors from bank 1 to bank 2 and vice versa
Also swapped the injectors from bank to bank
Checked the cam shaft and lifters which seemed fine
Replaced the god damn ECU

Still getting the fking code for the same bank, and I’d say getting ~1-2 mpg less than before I had the cat swapped.

Not sure where to go from here - I’ll be taking it to the dealer but any thoughts from this community on where to look or how to better diagnose? I’m at a loss, love my truck but I’ve spent close to 10k on it over 12 months with this plus a rear end rebuild and am approaching my breaking point.

Thoughts appreciated

Cheers
So they fired the parts cannons like morons, because they've no clue how to attempt to diagnose a fault ? WOW !

Seriously, find even a half competent garage.

Right from the bat....did it have a bad cat ? were there any actual signs ? emissions ? cat clogged ?
And what actually are mixtures on each bank ?

Very simple tests to verify this that even a stupid mechanic should be able to do.