Fellow Dakota Owners!
Since 9K miles on my 1991 Dodge Dakota 3.9L V6, 4x2 longbed
I've had a terrible problem of spark knock or pinging. It started off
after the truck became warm and under medium loads (uphill,
starts...etc). Took it back to the dealer and they adjusted the timing.
Still doing it, but I was in the middle of a move. After I settle in to my
job/home, I go to a new dealership. The response I got, "You should
be running high octane as the owners manual says". I proceeded to
another dealership. They replaced all the emission equipment. One
per visit. Each time returning to the dealership. They were able to
get the truck to run on 93 octane only with minimum pinging. It was
still pinging up until Wednesday 17th, 1999 (113K miles)
I had seen some archives which pointed out V8's had problems with
the intake manifold gaskets blowing out. So I decided it was time to
tear it a part or sell the beast. I have worked on carb/Motorcycles,
but nothing like this. I had watched my father tear cars apart and put
'em back together so I figured I could handle this project (with the help
of the manual).
NOTE: When working on older model trucks, order parts/gaskets first :)
I only got down to the throttle body (now I know what everyone means
with they say throttle body) and removed it from the intake manifold for
cleaning. Everything looked good until I removed a panel...it was full
of gunk! The worst cavity comes out following a tube to a sensor
mounted on the side of the TB. I believe it is the MAP sensor. The
other cavities were dirty, but not clogged. I did not go any further since
the intake manifold was really clean and dry inside. Got it all back
together and it drives like a new truck. Still V6 power, but I don't have
to worry about any spark knocking and pinging.
I had already sprayed cleaner in the carb, but this would not have
helped. The cleaner would have been sucked past the cavities.
The tubes could be removed (engine off) and sprayed full of cleaner (several
times) and then this might clean out the cavities. I may do
this from time to time just to make sure it does not get gunked up
again.
Sorry for such a long post, but I hope this will help everyone else out.
Bucky
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