Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine Problems: Reliability, Specs & Reviews

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Finding out which engine is best suited for you is a complicated process and very time-consuming.

Since there are tons of options in the market, you might not know what would be good for your Dodge vehicle.

But you don’t need to worry because the article talks about the best kind of engine, specifically the Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine.

Just like everything else, you might find some common issues with the motor.

The Dodge 5.9 magnum engine problems are not too big to worry about, yet they do have significance in the workings of the motor.

Some of the most common problems are:

  1. Gaskets Tend To Leak A Lot More In Some Motors
  2. Damage Has Been Observed On The Cylinder Heads
  3. Failure In The Timing Chain Might Cause Your Car To Be In Danger
  4. You Might Experience Some Of The Transmission Issues Leading To Worries
  5. Weak Front Ends Are The Worst To Deal With

Just like the good things, you’ll need to be aware of the bad ones too. So read on to find out what you might experience!

The 5 Most Common Dodge 5.9L Magnum Engine Problems

Read my 5.9 Liter V8 Dodge engine review

1. Gaskets Tend To Leak A Lot More In Some Motors

One of the biggest parts with the importance you might come across is the gaskets in your Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine.

If the gaskets are damaged, your engine might be in danger.

The Link Between Gaskets And Engines

So what do gaskets even do?

Gaskets are flat pieces of soft material that are put between two joined surfaces to prevent escape.

Gaskets are an important part of the two surfaces; otherwise, the mixing might be dangerous.

If you have an engine, you’re sure to have a gasket within it as well; otherwise, your motor would suck at the job it has been given.

Gaskets make sure to:

  • Prevent mixing of fuel and oil.
  • Avoid any kind of leakage in the engine.
  • Save the car from further damage eventually.

So What Does This Mean?

Understanding gaskets are probably the basic step to understanding the way the engine works.

Gaskets save you from having any kind of trouble in making sure your engine is running smoothly.

Leakages and problems are less likely to occur. But sometimes these problems can happen because of wear and tear.

You can notice them through the excessive oil consumption, the rough idling, and overall lack of performance, as well as a few more.

How Can I Fix The Problem?

In simpler terms, to fix the problem, you need to replace the gaskets in your engine. That shouldn’t be a problem since they aren’t very expensive overall.

2. Damage Has Been Observed On The Cylinder Heads

Your Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine is probably prone to damage because of many reasons. But when the damage begins to affect the cylinder heads, it might be something to worry about.

Importance Of Cylinder Heads

Cylinder heads are known to be crucial to the proper functioning of your car, and they are also known as the end cover of a cylinder in an internal combustion engine.

The basic task of the cylinder heads is to ensure that the right kind of airflow is happening in and out of the cylinders and fuel deployment.

The airflow is important to control since the oxygen levels can neither be too low nor too high as fuel wouldn’t burn properly with lower levels but would burn out more dangerously with high.

What Kind Of Damage Is It?

The kind of damage on the cylinder heads is when you can see the visible cracks forming.

This is usually due to the long use of the heads and the wear and tear they might have gone through.

The damage may not seem like a big deal, but it is, in fact, extremely crucial to note as it impacts the entire airflow.

The Impact It Leaves

Your cracked cylinder head might just cause you a lot of damage. The heat in the car increases to a point where it becomes unbearable for the car. Thus causing the car to malfunction easily.

The motor can become much damaged, so your life could be in danger. You can find a better cylinder head around for your car, so consider the option of replacement.

They can get cracked because of:

  • Water cooler malfunctioning.
  • Failure of the water pump to work properly.
  • Excess heat entering and leaving the car.

3. Failure In The Timing Chain Might Cause Your Car To Be In Danger

The concept of a timing chain might be alien to you if you don’t know what it is. But if you have the slightest understanding, you know how crucial the chain is to your car.

Timing Chains Defined

By definition, timing chains are the chains connecting the camshaft to the crankshaft and focuses on the closing and opening of the valves.

Timing chains are more seen in older vehicles which is fine considering how old the mentioned motor really is.

Since everything needs to happen exactly in order, timing chains might just be your best investment.

How To Catch The Issue And Fix It

Understanding the problems your timing chains have is important.

Over time, some timing chains can stretch out a little, which obviously leads to a delay in the closing and opening of valves.

To figure out what is wrong, you might want to observe the frequent cylinder misfires that occur. It’s also seen in the lack of power within the car.

Replacing your fixing chain when it first starts showing problems is the best way to deal with such a problem.

Timing chains can malfunction more if:

  • You don’t care for your motor as much as necessary.
  • Problems within the motor are ignored.
  • Less oil is given to the chain in time.

Importance Of Understanding The problem

You might just end up saving your own life if you take the proper care. So it might be important to understand the timing chain problem happening.

4. You Might Experience Some Of The Transmission Issues Leading To Worries

Transmission problems are seen in a lot of motors of today. You might not be aware of any issues, but they could be underlying, which would be even worse.

Why Should You Be Worried?

Since transmission focuses mainly on the controlled application of power, you should be worried if you aren’t able to control the level of power given to your car.

Not only does such a thing make driving harder, but there is also the problem of less torque in the car, which isn’t good for any person.

Transmission actually helps you:

  • Take control of your own car.
  • Make sure accidents are less likely to happen.
  • Ensure the car is running as smoothly as possible.

Transmission Problems Symptoms

Some of the most common ones include slipping gears, hard shifting, random noises as well as transmission fluids being leaked.

If you have any of these problems showing up in your car, get your motor checked as soon as you can. These symptoms can’t be taken lightly either.

Avoiding The Problem In Future

If you want to avoid such a problem, make sure to maintain your car often.

At least once a week, you should get your car checked just to make sure everything is running smoothly and great in it.

5. Weak Front Ends Are The Worst To Deal With

It may seem a little odd, but constant maintenance is the worst to deal with while choosing a proper engine. And in the Dodge 5.9 magnum, the issue has prevailed for too long.

What Do You Get Maintained?

The whole engine has to be maintained in the right way simply because the motor itself is too fragile generally.

With so much to offer, this tiny detail is way too small to notice at first but kind of bothersome when the motor has to be checked so often.

Every little part of the engine should be in perfect condition.

Is It Too Expensive?

Maintenance is always expensive, no matter what kind. Your motor might be working for a longer time, but everyone knows maintenance is often heavy on the pockets.

Although this motor is actually slightly old, the maintenance is frequent simply because it has been around for a very long time.

How To Prevent The Bad From Happening

Focusing on maintenance and care from wear and tear is the only way you can prevent any kind of bad.

It may seem like too much work but in the end, having your motor in perfect shape because of the maintenance is worth it.

While the motor is maintained, make sure:

  • Your car is not used excessively or at all.
  • You notice the little things that ruin your motor.
  • To get professional help, so you don’t end up wasting money for no reason.

What Is The Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine?

Your car is probably your biggest asset in life.

Not only should you make sure to check which engine you are buying and whether it even suits your car or not, but you should also know the characteristics of the motor you are choosing.

According to research I have done, the Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine is a naturally aspirated engine made for both the company of Dodge and Chrysler.

Being known as one of the motors that have been known for a considerably long time since the motor was first made in 1992 and last seen in production in 2003, the motor has been considered extremely reliable.

The motor is actually known as the 360 magnum. With so much to offer you as a customer, the motor is sure to have you completely satisfied.

The features on the motor are endless, so even you will be surprised at how much you’re actually getting.

You will never actually regret your decision to invest in the engine because no matter where you go, you will only hear the best praises for such an engine.

Is The Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine Reliable?

Just like if you bought any other engine, your first question would be whether the product you’re purchasing is even reliable.

And to answer your question, the motor itself can be considered reliable but with a few conditions.

The maintenance of the motor has to be constantly kept in check simply to have the motor running smoothly.

You will have to keep any kind of engine maintained, so it comes as no surprise that the mentioned engine has to be maintained quite often.

But overall, the whole motor is considered one of the best purchases you can make in your life due to how good it proves to be for the customer in the long run of life.

Although the reviews are mixed about whether the motor is truly reliable or not, a large percentage of people believe the motor to be the best purchase they’ve made all year.

Many people stated that they had no issues with their motors, so the problem might just be in the general batches rather than the motor.

What Cars Use Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine?

So many cars are known to use the Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine.

Some of the most common cars that you might or might not know include the Dodge Dakota, the Dodge Ram, the Dodge Ram Van and Wagon, the Dodge Durango, the Dodge Ramcharger, and lastly, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited.

All of the mentioned cars are exceptionally famous for how well they perform in a general viewpoint.

You might also need to consider choosing your motor according to the most known cars using a said motor, so knowing that all of these cars use the Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine is just an extra way for you to be sure you’re investing in the right kind of motor.

Countless other cars are also using the said engine, yet they might not be well known.

Nonetheless, having the mentioned motor as your power source will never actually lead you to regret your decision, so you can be sure you will enjoy using the engine.

Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine Specs

Manufacturer Dodge/Chrysler
Production 1992-2003
Configuration V6 or V8
Block material Cast iron
Head material Cast iron
Valvetrain OHV 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system Carburetor
Fuel type Gasoline
Oil system Wet sump
Cooling system Water-cooled
Displacement 360 cubic inches
Horsepower 245-250 hp

The Benefits Of Choosing The Dodge 5.9 Magnum Engine

Even with all the mentioned problems, the benefits really do stand out with the particular motor.

Some of the most common and known benefits include:

  • The motor will last you a considerably longer period of time.
  • Plenty of features are offered with the purchase of the motor.
  • Horsepower gain is absolutely something amazing to consider.
  • The price of the motor is not too high, which makes it considerably affordable.
  • Higher compression is one of the best parts of the motor.
  • Better sealing is also a great benefit included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How Much Horsepower Can My Dodge 5.9 Magnum Really Handle?

The knowledge of the horsepower that your engine provides you with is extremely important. In the Dodge 5.9 Magnum, the offered maximum horsepower is actually around 230-250 hp.

Compared to other kinds of horsepower offered in other motors, the horsepower is considered lesser, but it is sufficient enough to get the job done without any sort of issue arising.

Q2. How Many Miles Will My Dodge 5.9 Magnum Last?

Knowing the miles that your Dodge 5.9 Magnum lasts is important since you can then figure out how long you can go without a check-up.

While the horsepowers may be lacking, the miles on the particular motor are actually 200,000 to 300,000, which is way above the average miles mentioned.

So your motor is bound to last you a really long time as compared to other motors if you use the Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine.

Q3. Is Installing A Supercharger On My Dodge 5.9 Magnum Recommended?

Adding newer parts to your engine to make it better is actually a way to make sure that your engine works in the best ways possible.

However, in terms of using a supercharger, you have nothing to worry about as ProCharger has you taken care of with the inclusivity of bolt-on intercooled power.

So you don’t need to worry about installing a supercharger as your motor is bound to work efficiently just as it is.

Q4. Do The Mentioned Problems Above Last Forever In My Dodge 5.9 Magnum?

If you’re thinking to yourself that the problems I have mentioned are things that will last forever, you are mistaken.

Nothing is forever, and I cannot emphasize the importance of taking care of your motor enough.

If proper maintenance is done and care is taken of the engine in general, you will not need to worry about any of the above-mentioned issues arising as they are most known when the motor is left to survive on its own.

Q5. How Reliable Really Is The Dodge 5.9 Magnum?

Thinking of reliability is probably the smartest thing you can do when you first choose your motor. So knowing that the Dodge 5.9 Magnum is reliable is a breath of fresh air.

However, how can you ever really know your motor is reliable? The way that other people may recommend the motor to you is actually all you need to see.

And the Dodge 5.9 Magnum is highly recommended everywhere. So that in itself might tell you that the motor is extremely reliable.

Conclusion

And just like that, you know all that you need to about both the 5.9 engine as well as Dodge 5.9 Magnum engine problems you may encounter.

Nothing is something perfect as everything might have some kind of flaw.

So knowing that your engine has some kind of flaw only makes it easier for you to choose which ones suit you the best.

All the information has been given to you, good and bad, so whatever decision you make now is completely up to you.

Your choice will definitely never leave you regretful since the mentioned engine is clearly one of the best you can ever get.

Resource:
1. https://tuningpro.co/dodge-5-9-magnum-common-problems/