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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2006
23:43:23
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 Subject: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Ok, I'm hoping someone can help me with this one. I have a '98 dakota with the 5.2 that has a problem that's getting worse. For a couple years now, the truck stumbles when you first start driving from a cold start, but only for a few seconds, than it's fine. I've been unable to find the problem. The truck idles fine when you start it. Lately, it's been getting worse. Now the engine stumbles to the point that you can barely get down the road, but again only for a few seconds, than it backfires a couple times. Once it backfires, the truck drives perfectly. Again, the truck idles fine, and I'm not getting any codes. I thought maybe the timing was off, but the problems only last a couple seconds, and then the truck drives perfectly. I'm thinking maybe a sensor, but I'm not sure. I've replaced both O2 sensors. Also, my mileage has gotten progressively worse over the last couple years. I use to get almost 15 mpg, I now get about 12 mpg. I kept hoping that something would eventually throw a code, but nothing yet. Could someone help me with this.
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Garry
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2006
13:02:08
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Message:
i have a 99 dakota right now with the same problem, im not yet sure what it is but i will be taking it down to the shop later today for them to look at it.
However, what i did notice is it happens most when i have the air conditioning on and i first start to drive. After i get up to speed, the truck is fine.
Anyway, soon as i find out what the problem is... ill let ya know what it is...just pray its not something expensive.
-Garry
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ZoSo
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2006
13:20:06
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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I'm thinking the TPS (Throttle Positioning Sensor).
Anyone with me on this?
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Chris G.
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2006
13:34:47
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Check valve spring tension. That can cause temp. backfire.
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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2006
16:32:15
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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As I said, it only happens when you first start driving down the road, and than it's fine. Including any further stops, and starts. Would that cause those symptoms?
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Chris G.
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2006
01:38:34
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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I don't think the TPS would do that on the 5.2. Sounds to me like you may be running too rich on one or two cylinders causing too much fuel delivery. This can cause an engine to backfire. Check your injectors. This is PROBABLY NOT the cause, but i'm just throwing stuff it could be at you.
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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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7/15/2006
21:27:29
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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I'm not sure yet, but I may have found the cause. Today while sitting at a stop sign, the truck starting missing pretty bad, so when I got to where I was going, I popped the hood, and heard a repetitive snapping noise, which told me that I had an arching condition somewhere. After looking around, I noticed that there was a spot on the coil wire that was arching over to the exhaust manifold. At some point, the coil wire had come in contact with the exhaust manifold, and had begun to melt. I replaced the coil wire tongight, and I'm crossing my fingers that this was the problem.
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Shatto
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2006
04:46:23
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Wires are a good clue.
How many miles on the engine? Has it ever overheated? Does the cooling system use any water at all? Do you race? Done a compression test? Done a cylinder leakage test?
The above could be clues to valve/cracked head problems, which cause the #1 cylinder missing code.
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Rich Leon
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2006
21:34:40
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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The engine had 106,000 on it, and I've never gotten a check engine light for anything, but the truck hasn't been with out his problems. The engine has gotten pretty hot in the past when I had an air bubble in the cooling system. When I replaced the water pump, aparently I didn't bleed the system enough when I refilled it, but it didn't really over heat. The engine has always run light a champ until this started happening, but I took it for a drive today after replacing the coil wire, and so far, so good. I didn't have time to replace all the wires yet, but it'll get done next weekend.
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Garry
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2006
21:57:08
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Message:
Ok, man i know the problem...mine was doing the same thing...as it turns out, the O2 Sensor went out. Somehow the wire on it got spliced open. Check that out, and ill bet thats your problem.
Garry
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2006
01:59:04
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Rich,
Be aware, the water temperature gauge will read normal when there is no water in the engine and it is knocking, rattling, smoking and just before it siezes-up.
I was thinking, if you overheated badly the block could have developed a hairline crack at the weak spot, between the valves. That could be why the overflow tank is never full.
I just drive it until a smog test says i must do the major work.
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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2006
23:22:08
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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It was about about 1 1/2 years ago when I replaced the water pump, but even when the pump was bad, it wasn't over heating. I only knew the pump was going bad, because of the weep hole on the pump, and the noise from the bearings on the pump being shot. Unfortunatley, I'm gonna have to replace it again, because the rebuilt pump that I bought, is bad. I'll replace the plenum pan gasket again for the third time, because it's bad again. I'm going with the hughes engines kit this time around for the plenum pan, and a brand new pump from napa, not auto zone. I like the truck, but I'm frustrated with the problems. It seems as if I've had to deal with every known problem for the dakotas.
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ticats
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2006
08:04:08
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Message:
Rich. Have you checked to see if you have a clogged cat converter? A clogged one can cause all the symptoms that you have described.
ticats, ontario, canada
97 Dak CC Sport. 5.2L, 44RE, 13.76 @ 99.65
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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2006
22:51:15
| RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Message:
The factory cat took a dump about 2 years ago. I have an aftermarket cat from summit now. The truck only gets driven once, or twice a week now, because it's too thirsty. I bought a little toyota as a beater to get around. As I said, I like the truck, and I have way too much tied up in it with all the repairs, to just unload it now. Besides, I need to hold on to it until they fix the styling of the current dakotas. I saw that they restyled the front of the durango for '07, so hopefully the dakota will be next. It hasn't acted up since I replaced the coil wire, so maybe it was that simple. I'm greatful for all the suggestions.
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stevel
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2007
10:51:44
|  RE: '98 stumbles, and back fires
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Message:
I have a '98 dakota 4x4 3.9 and went through the same thing. Take a look at your idler air control valve.....it's located at the back of the throttle body near the firewall......had the same problem and tried replacing all sorts of stuff (02 sensor, tps, etc). Turned out that this part was gummed up and just began to fail. I was so happy once I fixed it, what a "pain in the behind" it can be driving it around like that for quite a while. I believe I paid $40 for it at a local auto parts store. You can try to clean, but DO NOT TURN THE END PIECE OR YOU WILL BREAK IT ! (I know because I broke mine...lol) Note: If you have had plenum pan problems, I believe this might cause this part to fail more quickly.
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