Check the fan clutch. I used to have an 84 Mercury Cougar that displayed the
same symptoms. It turns out the fan clutch wasn't engaging and was causing
my engine to overheat, which in turn caused the oil to overheat until the
pressure blew my rear main seal and started to work on my valve cover
gaskets (presto, less oil pressure). I would then turn my car off and let
the engine cool down. On highways the cold air rushing in was enough to keep
it cool, but as soon as I slowed it started to act up again. To check the
fan clutch simply grab ONE (1) fan blade (with engine off, of course) and
try moving it as far left and right as you have room for. There should be
some resistance, kinda like stirring some thick molasses. if there is very
little/no resistance replace the fan clutch. I have heard of people
repairing a broken one (the thermal kind), but I have never personally done
it. Next, check to see that all of your belts are in good shape and are
installed properly. Finally, if you have an autoparts chain near you go and
see if they check batteries and charging systems. Around here (San Diego)
AutoZone performs this service for free. Hope this helps. Good luck. Fermin
Lizalde Jr.
Subject: DML: Stalling
Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Date: 10/17/00 9:25 AM
I have a 1988 Dodge Dakota SE 3.9L V6
My truck will drive fine most of the time but every so often it will
just lose power like it is not getting any gas and shortly ther after
die. Puahing on the gas peddle does nothing. The oil guage drops to 0
and the low oil light comes on. Is there a sensor for that, that is
killing the engine? If I try and start it back up it won't. Then after
shutting it off for a few min. it will start right up and have no
problems till the next time it stalls. When it does start back up the
oil guage
reades just fine. I've also noticed that the exaust is very sooty/oily
on the tail pipe but I've changed the plugs, the fuel filter, the air
filter, the oil and filter and no effect. The truck ran great after
that but still stalled sometimes. Tried a high octane fuel, made it
worse. The plugs don't look fowled like a dirty engine, maybe like a
rich mixture. So that leads me to the O2 sensor, but will that cause
the truck to stall and not start for a while? Since it has gotten
cooler out, it has only stalled once in the last week and that was on
Saturdy wich was a little warmer than it has been lately. Some
sugestios say try the coolant sensor. I'm not sure if I have one on my
truck. Some say clean the Throttle Body. I've put in at
leat two bottles of Fuel Injector, Engine Cleaner and it helped for a
time but keeps doing it. Some say change the SBEC or EGR, is that the
main computer? What is an IAT sensor? Somebody took off their fuel
tank and it was full of sludge, they cleaned it out and it was all
better. Another sugestion was to change the throttle sensor, again I'm
not sure if I have one and what it does. Sombody had the same problems
and had the dealer change the "Harmonic something," a switch under the
distributor. Slightly related to this, when I drive the truck on the
highway at 65 for a period of time, when I come to an exit the truck
will idle hard and stall at the bottom of the exit ramp. All I have to
do is start it back up but it idles hard for a time. Any thoughts?
Casey Wren
cwren@bju.edu
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