Ram truck repair Chico CA. Ram 1500 Hemi, 2500/3500 Cummins diesel 6.7L. MDS lifter, EGR, DPF, DEF. Tow-rated service. Written estimate. (530) 826-4275.
Ram 1500 · 2500 · 3500 · TRX
5.7L Hemi · 6.7L Cummins Diesel · EcoDiesel. Tow-rated service. Written estimate before any work.
We service all Ram trucks in Chico — 1500, 2500, 3500, and TRX. Ram 1500 Hemi (5.7L) is our most common diesel alternative — MDS lifter diagnosis is our #1 Ram service request. Ram 2500/3500 with the 6.7L Cummins — EGR cooler, DPF, DEF system, glow plugs, and Aisin transmission. For Dodge cars and SUVs, see our Dodge page →. Written estimate before any work. By Buddy Rausch, Owner / ASE Master Technician · Reviewed May 21, 2026
The half-ton workhorse. 5.7L eTorque and non-eTorque Hemi — MDS lifter tick is the most common diagnosis request. The 48V eTorque mild hybrid system on DT-generation 1500s adds belt-alternator-starter (BAS) complexity but rarely fails if maintained. 3.0L EcoDiesel V6: EGR cooler and injector concerns at higher mileage. 3.6L Pentastar: oil cooler housing the primary failure point. TRX: 6.2L supercharged Hellcat V8 — same intercooler reservoir check as Challenger Hellcat.
The most capable half/three-quarter-ton diesel platform. The 6.7L Cummins inline-6 is one of the most durable truck engines built — when maintained. EGR cooler failure is the #1 repair at 100,000+ miles. DPF cleaning or replacement needed when regen cycles become excessive. DEF system issues (NOx sensor, SCR catalyst, DEF injector) put trucks into derate. Aisin AS69RC 6-speed automatic on high-output models — fluid service critical at 60,000 miles. Cummins diesel →
The Power Wagon (2500 with 6.4L 392 Hemi) is a purpose-built off-road workhorse. No MDS on the 392 — more durable under sustained load than the 5.7L. Front locking differential and electronic disconnecting sway bar add complexity. Transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid at 30,000 miles — shortened to 15,000 miles for off-road use. Brake wear is accelerated on truck platforms used for towing and off-road.
FCA/Stellantis commercial vans. ProMaster: 3.6L Pentastar V6 (same oil cooler housing concerns as Ram 1500) or 3.0L diesel V6. ProMaster City: 2.4L Tigershark. Commercial-use vehicles develop accelerated brake and tire wear from frequent stops and cargo loads. We service fleet Ram ProMasters and keep Chico business owners' vans running.
Same failure mode as Dodge Challenger/Charger: the MDS hydraulic lifters collapse to deactivate 4 cylinders at cruise, and fail to return to the active position. Results in P0300–P030X misfire codes and a persistent tick. Common on 5.7L Ram 1500 trucks used for towing — the constant MDS cycling under variable load accelerates wear. Trucks towing regularly benefit from an MDS-disable tune. We diagnose root cause before teardown. Engine repair →
The EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler on the 6.7L Cummins transfers heat from recirculated exhaust gas to engine coolant. It fails internally — coolant enters the intake manifold, causing white smoke at startup, coolant consumption, and eventually hydro lock if unaddressed. Common at 100,000–150,000 miles on tow trucks. We pressure-test the cooling system and perform a combustion leak test before any teardown. Cummins diesel →
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) requires periodic active regeneration to burn off accumulated soot. Short-trip, low-load driving (common for in-town work trucks) prevents complete regeneration and causes DPF overloading. Symptoms: increased regen frequency, power derate, or DPF warning light. We inspect DPF loading before recommending cleaning or replacement. DEF system issues (NOx sensor, SCR catalyst failure, DEF injector) trigger derate modes and require module-specific diagnosis. DPF cleaning →
Same as Dodge — the plastic oil cooler housing on the 3.6L V6 cracks and leaks. Slow coolant loss, sweet smell at operating temperature, or milky oil in severe cases. Full housing replacement is the repair. Common on high-mileage Ram 1500 Classic models with the V6.
Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi: 5W-20 full synthetic, 7 qts. Ram 1500 3.6L V6: 0W-20, 5.5 qts. Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel: 5W-30 diesel-rated, 10.5 qts. Ram 2500/3500 6.7L Cummins: 15W-40 diesel-rated full synthetic, 12 qts. From $89.98. We recommend 5,000-mile intervals on Cummins and MDS Hemis in Chico's heat. Oil change →
Ram 1500: from $599.99/axle. Ram 2500/3500: from $699.99/axle (larger rotors and truck-spec pads). Pads and rotors together per axle. Heavy-duty Ram trucks with trailer towing see accelerated brake wear — we measure pad and rotor condition at every oil change. Brake repair →
$199.99/hr with written report. MDS lifter pattern diagnosis, Cummins EGR/DPF/DEF live data analysis, eTorque BAS system scan, transmission module scan. Full written report before any work approved. Diagnostics →
Yes. Ram 1500 Classic, 1500 DT, and TRX. All engines: 5.7L Hemi, 3.6L Pentastar, 3.0L EcoDiesel, and 6.2L Hellcat TRX. MDS lifter diagnosis, oil change, brakes, transmission, and exhaust. Written estimate before any work. (530) 826-4275.
Yes. Ram 2500 and 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins inline-6 diesel. EGR cooler failures, DPF cleaning, DEF system diagnosis, glow plug replacement, and injector diagnosis. We also handle the Aisin AS69RC transmission on heavy-duty Ram. Written estimate before any work.
Usually MDS (Multi-Displacement System) lifter failure on the 5.7L — the MDS lifters collapse to deactivate 4 cylinders at cruise and sometimes fail to return. Results in P030X misfire codes and a tick. Also: exhaust manifold bolt failure (sounds like a valve tick but is exhaust leaking at the manifold). We confirm source before any teardown.
5.7L Hemi (2009+): 5W-20 full synthetic, 7 quarts. 3.6L Pentastar V6: 0W-20 full synthetic, 5.5 qts. 3.0L EcoDiesel: 5W-30 full synthetic, 10.5 qts. 6.7L Cummins (Ram 2500/3500): 15W-40 diesel-rated full synthetic, 12 qts. We recommend 5,000-mile intervals on MDS Hemis and Cummins in Chico.
Oil change: 7,500 miles with 15W-40 full synthetic (we recommend 5,000 miles on hard-working tow trucks). Fuel filter: 15,000 miles. EGR cooler inspection: 60,000 miles. DPF inspection: every oil change on high-mileage trucks. DEF system check: every service. Aisin transmission fluid: 60,000 miles. Neglecting these intervals on the 6.7L causes expensive failures.
Tedious Auto Repair · ASE Master Tech · NAPA Gold AutoCare · 2695 CA-32, Chico
All Ram models · Cummins diesel specialist · Written estimate · Open 7 days
Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007 and has been serving Butte County for 18+ years. As an ASE Master Technician, Buddy personally oversees diagnostics and quality control on every vehicle. All content on this page reflects real procedures, OEM specifications, and cases seen in the shop. About Buddy Rausch, ASE Master Tech →
Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007. ASE Master Certified. 18+ years serving Butte County. About Buddy Rausch