Truck Repairs

Back in December 2025, with just over 10,000 miles on the odometer, my 2025 RAM 1500 began flashing the Check Engine Light during hard acceleration at highway speeds. 

At first it seemed intermittent, but the truck clearly wasn’t pulling as strongly as it had when new, and fuel economy had dropped noticeably. What followed was a series of dealer visits, component swaps, and ongoing diagnostics that left the vehicle out of service for more than 20 business days. Each time I got the truck back and drove it under load, the problem returned. 

Eventually, the service department dug deeper and opened up the left (passenger-side) valve train. That’s when the real cause was discovered: five of the six intake valve lifters on that bank had failed. The seized lifters had damaged both camshafts on the left side of the engine, explaining the ticking noise, power loss, and flashing MIL events. Seeing the damaged components laid out on the workbench was both concerning and validating — the issue was real and mechanical, not imagined or driver-induced. 

The dealership has now replaced both left-bank camshafts, all rockers, and all valve lifters, while confirming that the right bank appears unaffected. Fresh oil and a new filter are being installed, and the filter will be cut open to check for metal contamination. A compression test, leak-down test, and road test will be performed before the truck is returned to me. 

Dodge Customer Care has begun reimbursing rental car expenses during this extended repair period. For now, I’m cautiously optimistic that this comprehensive repair will restore the truck’s reliability and performance.

Superbowl Sunday

New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will face off today at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.  We will not be tuning in or watching.

This morning I drove the truck to ABC Store parking lot in Holly Springs and purchased beef off of a truck.  I spent $619 for three, 15-pound boxes of steaks and ground beef.   We packed this into our chest freezer and pulled two filet mignon steaks out to cook via sous vide in the kitchen sink.

Later I vacuumed out the truck and then took it to the car wash.  It is cold outside - right at 32 °F.

After the car wash I went to Food Lion to get our weekly grocery order.  I spent $145 at the grocery store.

Now I have my work clothes laid out and my vitamins counted out to be ready to go to work in the morning.  I will unload both furnaces tomorrow and ram up more parts.   

On Tuesday I am driving Bob to the UNC Spine Center in Chapel Hill.  It is now believed that he has spinal stenosis.  Hopefully something can be done to relieve his head pressure and nastygmus.  He thinks they will want to do some surgery.

Groundhog Day 2026

Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow on Monday, February 2, which means according to the legend, six more weeks of winter are on the way.

I took today off and used a day of PTO so that I could keep my doctors appointment with Dr. Dahleman.  UNC Family Medicine sent me an email on Friday letting me know that the appointment would be a virtual appointment via video chat because of the winter weather.

We decided that I will go on a tirezepatide GLP-1 / GIP therapy.  We are going to use the injectable compound with the tradename Mounjaro.  We are starting with 2.5 milligrams once a week for four weeks.   I can pick this up at Walgreen's pharmacy this afternoon.

We also decided to repeat my labs - metabolic panel, PSA, cholesterol, HbA1C.  We will also repeat the fecal occult blood test in September.  He thinks it is a good idea for me to get a pneumonia vaccine too.

Bob and I will drive up to Chapel Hill so that I can get the labs done today while I have time off.  Maybe by the time we return to Apex my prescription will be ready.