The maintenance interval for your serpentine belt is at least 60,000 miles,
probably higher. You should check it periodically for cracks and peeling.
If it's doing that I would get it replaced, otherwise if it ain't broke,
leave it alone. Want to know what kills a serpentine belt faster than
anything? Get antifreeze on it and don't clean it off right away.
As far as your coolant, the recommendation is every 36 months regardless of
mileage. I won't let mine go beyond 24 months. The reason: The chemicals
in antifreeze break down after a period of time (even with distilled water)
and will start to eat at your radiator, heater core, and water pump. In
the case of coolant a little prudence will pay off in the long run.
Ron
00 PB SLT QC 4X2 5.9 46RE 3.92 LSD
For modifications see my DML Profile (URL follows)
http://www.twistedbits.net/WWWProfile/dakota/Kw9pV1EkFeOYY
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of David D.
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2001 12:43 PM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: RE: DML: 3.9 V6 maintenance...
I was told by my "buddy" at the Dodge Dealer,that i should have my "flush &
fill" coolant service & my serpentine belt done at 30k.
sounds like a good idea to me.I am almost at 24,000 now.
Any feelings on the Ron or Bernd ol'e buddy?
As for anyone on the DML from Minn/St.Paul,i'll let u know what days
i'll actually be in the area over March 8-9-10...we can meet up.
>From: "Ronald Wong" <ron-wong@home.com>
>Reply-To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
>To: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
>Subject: RE: DML: 3.0 V6 vs 3.9V6
>Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 21:36:21 -0800
>
>Tell me about it. My 93 Caravan has been through three trannys @ 162,000
>miles.
>
>Ron
>00 PB SLT QC 4X2 5.9 46RE 3.92 LSD
>For modifications see my DML Profile (URL follows)
>http://www.twistedbits.net/WWWProfile/dakota/Kw9pV1EkFeOYY
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
>[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of steve preston
>Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 5:14 PM
>To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
>Subject: Re: DML: 3.0 V6 vs 3.9V6
>
>
>The 3.0 basically has only had the valve guide problem
>as far as I know,with the exception of some crank
>failures in the early Stealths with twin
>turbos.Otherwise it`s not a bad motor at all.The A604
>is a beefier version of the 4-speed auto that Chrysler
>had trouble with in the early 90`s in the
>minivans.From what I have heard,the 1993 models
>especially had terrible reliability with their
>transmissions.It did not help that the tranny
>dipsticks stated that you could use Dexron fluid.Only
>7176 fluid should have been indicated.As for your
>overheating problem,you might want to post your
>problem at Allpar.com. and check out their archives.
> Steve P. --- dakotaviper <dakotaviper@yahoo.com>
>wrote:
> > The 3.0V6/A604 combo is what my '92 Premier has in
> > it.
> > Now that I have over 138,000 miles on it; my
> > overheating problems might get to be answered. Does
> > anyone have any knowledge or links where I might try
> > to find out some answers?
> > Pitty that I've not known about all of the problems
> > here. Every dealer that I've basically talked to has
> > said that this engine/tranny combo is pretty much a
> > throw-away application (one use only).
> >
> > --- steve preston <steve239dak@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > Did not know they fixed that! I dislike Mitsu
> > motors
> > > because of my wife`s early engine mangling with a
> > > 2.0
> > > (broken timing belt at 48,000 miles.) Now we have
> > > timing CHAINS in both vehicles. Steve P.
> > > --- Scott Drega <sdrega@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > > I could not resist adding my $0.02 on this
> > thread
> > > as
> > > > I
> > > > am pretty involved with FWD mopars as well.
> > > >
> > > > The 3.0 V6 is well known for the fact that its
> > > valve
> > > > guides tend to drop, causing a great deal of
> > > > smoking.
> > > > The early ones are especially problematic. I
> > > > believe
> > > > they remedied this problem around 94 or so, but
> > > not
> > > > certain on the year they made changes.
> > > >
> > > > My family's own 3.0V6 91 Daytona ES lost the
> > > engine
> > > > at
> > > > around 131k. This car was driven easy and
> > > regularly
> > > > maintained. The A604 trans also went around
> > 110k
> > > > and
> > > > those transmissions are known to be problematic.
> >
> > > In
> > > > my opinion the 3.0V6/A604 ultradrive combo is
> > > > probably
> > > > the least desirable drivetrain you could get in
> > an
> > > > 89-95 FWD mopar.
> > > >
> > > > As for the 3.9, my understanding is that this
> > > engine
> > > > is basically a 5.2 (318) with two less
> > cylinders.
> > > > The
> > > > 318 has proven to be a great engine, I would
> > think
> > > > the
> > > > same holds for the 3.9 since it is based on the
> > > 318
> > > > design. I almost bought a new 96 Dakota Sport
> > 3.9
> > > 5
> > > > speed in 1996 when I decided to buy my Shelby
> > > > Dakota.
> > > >
> > > > Scott
> > > > 89 Shelby Dakota #894 (For Sale)
> > > >
> > > >
> > __________________________________________________
> > > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > > Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at
> > great
> > > > prices.
> > > > http://auctions.yahoo.com/
> > >
> > >
> > > =====
> > > Steve Preston
> >
> > > 1999 Dakota Sport 3.9V6,4x4,3.92
> > Anti-spin,42RE
> > > auto,Intense Blue,regular cab.
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail -
> > only $35
> > a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
>
>
>=====
>Steve Preston 1999 Dakota Sport
>3.9V6,4x4,3.92 Anti-spin,42RE auto,Intense Blue,regular cab.
>
David Digney
President-Wisconsin Chapter of the DML
List Moderator: "DodgeDakotaQuadCab@egroups.com"
SCWD Model Contest Chairman(South Central Wisconsin Division)
00'QC,SLT+,3.9,42RE,3.55,
K&N Home-Brew,Dynomax Super Turbo,Mobil 1 10w30
"My Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Kicks Ass...Magnum Power!"
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:59:12 EDT