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Dodge Dakota Engine and Underhood Questions

371 messages,  Last post on Nov 06, 2009 at 6:41 PM

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#1 of 371 Dodge Dakota: Engine/Underhood Questions by kcram HOST Oct 18, 2006 (7:53 pm)
The place for all your Dakota engine and underhood queries. Replies to this message: reddakota02 (Oct 21, 2006 11:31 am) dustyk (Oct 26, 2006 6:09 pm) reddakota02 (Jan 04, 2007 2:45 pm) kookoo (Jun 23, 2007 7:47 am) bpeebles (Jun 23, 2007 5:00 pm)
#2 of 371 2002 Dakota 3.9 Power and Fuel Economy Loss by gafo May 15, 2006 (11:48 am)
#3 of 371 2002 Dakota 3.9 Power and Fuel Economy Loss by gafo Apr 03, 2006 (11:16 am)
In June, 05, my mpg dropped from 22-23mpg to 17-18mpg on the highway on on tank of gas and stayed that way until today. 2 dealers have looked at it. One charge over $400, kept it a week and didn't fix anything. Other dealer had it a week and wanted to do over (and charge) the same as the first one. Both told me that there were no codes so there was no problem. Wanted to replace "points, plugs, wires, distributer cap, condenser and rotor". After the first I replaced the plugs with Bosch Platinum and was told by both dealers that Bosch Platinum would not work in a Dakota. The second dealer kept it for a week and found nothing (but charged nothing). The last week in Mar,06, I contacted the service manager of the second dealer who had me bring it in. They run a fuel test resulting in 17mpg. The factory rep told them that was acceptible and that it was attributable to "oxegenated gasoline". That trip was from Las Vegas to Salmon, Idaho then to Jackson, WY, Yellowstone, Cody and then to Deadwood, SD, Mount Rushmore-a lot in mountains often running the AC. On my second fillup in Deadwood, we started home at when I gassed up in Cheyenne, WY the mileage dropped and remained that way to this day. Also, high gear, 60 mph plus has little throttle response but will kick down to a lower gear then accelerate. No one has ever heard of this and blaming it on oxegenated gas is stupid. If many others had experienced that loss there would be a loud complaint launched at the gov for imposing the gas on us. I am retired and current gas prices impact me severely. Any suggestions? Replies to this message: jneal (Apr 04, 2006 6:07 am) gafo (Apr 04, 2006 7:03 am) dakotaoffroad (May 15, 2006 7:16 am) gafo (May 15, 2006 11:48 am)
#4 of 371 Re: 2002 Dakota 3.9 Power and Fuel Economy Loss [gafo] by jneal Apr 04, 2006 (6:07 am)
Replying to: gafo (Apr 03, 2006 11:16 am) Either you misunderstood what the dealer was telling you or they were blowing smoke at you. I don't know of any modern production vehicle that uses ignition points and condenser. I'd look for another shop. Replies to this message: gafo (Apr 04, 2006 7:03 am)
#5 of 371 Re: 2002 Dakota 3.9 Power and Fuel Economy Loss [jneal] by gafo Apr 04, 2006 (7:03 am)
Replying to: jneal (Apr 04, 2006 6:07 am) That's why those items are in "quotes". The first dealer wanted to do a mass parts replacement to troubleshoot the problem but $200 for a set of plugs was simply rediculous. They did find a vacuum leak so I let them replace all the lines. Also flush the injector system. The second dealer advised me to do all of the same. When I told them I had replaced the plugs with Bosch Platinum, the advisor looked me straight in the eye and told me that was the problem and that platinum plugs didn't work in Dodge engines. So far, everyone I told about this laughed. They kept the truck for a week and did nothing so I retrieved it on a Saturday. On Monday, he called to ask what we were going to do and did not know that I had picked it up. Now several months have passed and I contacted the service manager of the second dealership and we agreed to try again. He kept the car a week ran and fuel economy tests. They drove it around with some readout device connected and watched several parameters. I don't know if this is all smoke but he said everything is normal. So he contacted his Dodge rep who told him the mileage is normal and that the problem is oxegenated gasoline and at this point I realized that Dodge was "blowing smoke" as you so aptly put it. If you are a mechanic, what should the tailpipe look like if the truck was running normal? Years ago, I was taught not to buy a car if the tailpipe was any color but a mild grey. Thanks for you response. I hope to hear from you again. Gary
#7 of 371 Re: 2002 Dakota 3.9 Power and Fuel Economy Loss [gafo] by dakotaoffroad May 15, 2006 (7:16 am)
Replying to: gafo (Apr 03, 2006 11:16 am) hey, My 02 dakota has the same problem with the fuel economy but i havn't figured it out yet. I also have a bad stalling problem at idle speeds, i sure would like to see 20+ mpg, if i find anything out i'll let you know, i find too that dealerships are just stupid, all money and no brains. Replies to this message: gafo (May 15, 2006 11:48 am)
#8 of 371 Re: 2002 Dakota 3.9 Power and Fuel Economy Loss [dakotaoffroad] by gafo May 15, 2006 (11:48 am)
Replying to: dakotaoffroad (May 15, 2006 7:16 am) I just came back from a trip to Mexico. Drove a liitle over 1k miles and averaged 20mpg with ac running. It is improving on its own. I haven't changed anuthing. Thanks for your response.
#9 of 371 code p 0455 for a 4.7 dakota by sleded Oct 18, 2006 (5:34 pm)
#10 of 371 code p 0455 for a 4.7 dakota by sleded Jun 01, 2006 (4:18 pm)
hey guys im new this the board and i love it already!! i was wondering if anyone knew what that code means? i took the truck in the other day for the check engine light and it was the gas cap!! so he fixed it and today the check engine light came on again. i think its the gas cap but who knows hope u guys can help me out   thanks   eric Replies to this message: sharris806 (Oct 18, 2006 5:34 pm)

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