Greetings,
After a few weeks of reading old posts from the DML, I finally decided to sign up. It looks like ya'll have a great thing going on here, just looking through the archives have answered many questions I have had.
I am the proud owner of a 93 Dakota Sport, extended cab, 5 speed, 3.9 V6. Aside from the electric fan I installed, the truck is stock as can be with 187K and NO major engine work. Normally I'd be proud to say that, but the time has come where I need to do some serious work on it.
A few weeks ago my gas mileage abrubtly dropped from 21.5 mpg average to a consistent 11.3 mpg average (I keep track of my mileage every time I fill up). The engine also started to burn more oil than it should, enough that I can't pass emissions tests because of smoking. I've done a compression test and it looks like the piston rings are shot. It also needs a new timing chain and intake gasket. Would these three problems account for losing half my previous gas mileage? The low end is missing a bit from before, but otherwise my power seems to be the same.
I am also trying to decise if I want tto rebuild my engine (making it better along the way) or install a 5.9. Cost wise, would anyone be able to guesstimate the difference?
Any ideas would certainly be appreciated. Thanks and Share the Road.
Mike Sanders
CNY
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