While the thicker oil may help cure the problem, 20w50 isn't necessary
for our engines (unless you've got a lot of miles on it and the bearing
tolerances are getting worn out and need some thicker oil to help quiet
down the engine).
Try this first to make sure that the oil passages aren't plugged with
some "oil crud" (deposits) and/or the lifters at that...
Remove 1qt oil and add 1qt ATF (Dexron-III is just fine). Run it for
about 50 miles and then drain the oil and change the filter. ATF has
some lubricating qualities but is an excellent detergent to clean up the
internals of the engine (oil galleys as well). You can use Marvel
Mystery Oil as well but the ATF is less expensive and does the same job.
(Don't use that Motor Flush stuff as it's basically solvent...not a good
idea in your crankcase.)
After the oil change, run a quality filter and oil...
Another possibility: I've run Fram, WIX, Mobil-1, Bosch, and STP oil
filters on my truck. I had the same problem with the Fram (Regular and
XP series)and STP oil filters. The filter didn't hold the oil
(drainback valve related). WIX and Mobil-1 seem to do just fine without
any lifter clak in the AM.
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net] On Behalf Of Shane Moseley
Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 8:17 AM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: DML: Re: Odd running conditions
It does sound like the lifters not being fully pumped up. I would
recommend running a thicker oil - like 20w50. I had the same problem
and the 20w50 eliminated it. Also, I wouldn't worry about running the
20w50 (you'll get alot of opinions on this) as my truck has been running
it for over 130K miles w/no problems and my wife's truck has been
running it for 86K miles w/no problems. Another huge benefit is that at
initial startup since the hard parts still have much more oil on them
w/the thicker oil - the startup friction (which results in about 80-90
percent of engine wear) is significantly reduced. It will not bleed out
of the lifters like the 10w oil will.
Latr,
Shane
Chris Reck wrote:
> I've had the same problems for the past two years in the winter.
> Dealer said there isn't a problem. Once the truck runs for 15 minutes
> on the highway, it goes away. On mine, it almost sounds like someone
> playing a lot of spoons under my hood.
>
> I was told that the lifters are not getting enough oil in the
> beginning of the warm-up, thus resulting in the noise. I am always
> afraid that this is the start of something more serious, but as I give
> it gas and get out of first (auto), the pinging goes away. It doesn't
> come back again until I start slowing down past 15 mph; but not after
> it warms up. I've had this before and after changing the stock air
> filter to a custom K&N cone filter.
>
> Anyone else have ideas?
>
> Chris
> 99 CC Sport 4x4 Amethyst (with Autolites).
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Wes Weems <wweems@fix.net>
> To: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2002 10:05 PM
> Subject: DML: Odd running conditions
>
> > Ok I got a 3.9l v6 dakota (1997)
> >
> > Recently I replaced my sparkplugs (3923's), with champion platinum
> > plugs (thats all kragen had) with the bone stock gap, whatever they
> > were gapped at...
> >
> > Heres what I've noticed... truck appears to run 10x better between
> > 1k-2500 rpms... Truck runs really well when warm though pings....
> >
> > truck runs HORRIBLE when cold... pinging like a mofo....
> >
> >
> > Recently I did the timing chain TSB (tensioner etc) and stuff... but
> > I
> gotta
> > know why my truck would run way worse when its cold than when its
> > warm... perhaps a sensor on the outs?
> >
> >
> > ANY insight would be great/
> >
> > Wes
> >
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