I just turned 24,500 miles on my '98 3.9. I had my Cat replaced at 20,000
miles. apparently there was/is a problem with Cats on Dakota's. I am by no
means a mechanic (I just make QC Ram seats, hehe) BUT, if the cat goes bad,
the crapola in the cat will either melt in a big clump and be hella
restrictive, OR, break up and clog up your exhaust, causing restriction.
Someone by all means correct me if i'm wrong, but, wouldn't a blockage
somewhere cause a stutter in the engine, maybe even cause the belly pan to
blow?
just a S.W.A.G (scientific wild ass guess, hehe)
tOm
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Preston <steve318@webtv.net>
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Date: Friday, July 28, 2000 9:43 PM
Subject: DML: My Dakota,by Steve P.
O.K. I promised myself and others that I would not bring up my truck`s
problems anymore.Well,I need to.If anyone has answers for any symptom
listed below,please post or directly e-mail me.I`ve had this truck to
two dealerships,and either my truck does not have the problems I`m
seeing,or they don`t see the problems I`m having.I drove it a couple
hundred miles today,and it did nothing but utterly tee me off,and yes,I
am aware that those are strong words.We are talking about a 99 Dakota
Sport,automatic 3.9 4x4 RC with 3.92 gears.8500 miles.Problems are
listed in order of frustration level unless otherwise noted: 1)Power
loss.Usually when it really runs bad,you can feel the pulsations in the
body of the truck,almost like you`re running over a bumpy road.Feels
like the engine loses power from one or more cylinders
intermittently.Seems to be engine,not transmission related.It also seems
like a rough section of road makes the problem get better or worse,like
something is loose.And the engine surges wildly driving up a gravel
driveway.RRRrrrRRRrrrRRRrrrRRR.Tach goes up and down several hundred
rpm. 2)Pings.Had the intake plenum pan gasket replaced about a month
ago after a severe bout of pinging,and it seemed to take care of 95% of
it.Now it`s back as bad as ever,most noticeable in overdrive with very
light throttle.Have not replaced the thermostat with a 180 deg. because
I have seen it ping badly with the engine not fully hot,about 170 deg.or
so.Also,the belly pan thing confuses me too.If the gasket fixed the
problem for a month,I have to assume it`s bad again,right?
3)Cat smells bad.I`ve been told it`s normal.No way.And I can`t see it
being the converter`s fault either.Seems like only an engine problem
could cause one to fail at low miles.
4)Truck BANGS into reverse,even at idle.Does this about 50% of the
time.Parked on level ground,not due to torque loading the transmission.
5)When brakes are wet,I about go through the windshield if I barely
touch `em.I would assume that a cheap set of pads will cure this?Happens
usually after sitting overnight in the rain or snow.
Help me out,folks!! Thanks!! Steve P.
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