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00:48:32 - 12/20/2024
General Dakota Board
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jmstr
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/21/2006
14:33:50
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 Subject: gas mileage has become crap. HELP!
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Message:
I have a 1997 Dakota 2wd 3.9 v6 and my gas mileage has gone to crap in the past month. I am trying to figure out why, as the power feels fine from the engine.
It has 167,000 miles on it and I will be changing out the clutch next week, as well as the u-joints. I figure it is time, as I've been lucky so far. I just replaced the breather and the pcv valve. The spark plugs are less than 6000 miles old [Bosch platinum +2] and I have cleaned and reoiled my air filter [let's just say K&N].
It doesn't pull to the sides noticably when driving and the 'tap' technique doesn't indicate a broken cat [I had that before and remember the rattle when I tapped it].
I am supposed to be taking it on a 1200+ mile trip in two weeks and I need it to run right.
The REALLY weird part is that it seems to lose gas when it sits overnight to the tune of about 1/16th of a tank [YES, I do have a locking gas cap on it. But the temps have been highs of 105 and lows of 82]. Right now it is one line above the half-way marker [so 3/8's used] and at 67 miles [22 gallon tank].
I can't smell gas around it anywhere, so I don't know how the gas could be evaporating.
Now the AC has been giving me problems and is finally working ok, but it may be a bit overcharged or not, I don't know. It has been on EVERY time I used the truck in the past month, as the problem has occurred. I just have never seen the AC drop my gas mileage this much before. It used to be around 15 mpg in town and 18-20 on the highway [3" lift, 31" AT tires, 3.92 diff]. Now it seems to be about 11 in town.
Any suggestions I may have overlooked? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Hammerdak
Dodge Dakota
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7/21/2006
22:16:40
| RE: gas mileage has become crap. HELP!
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Message:
Clogged fuel injectors....Brakes not releasing properly....low tire pressure???????
Also check the air intake after the filter, is it dirty or as my dad found , is there a chipmunk hording food in the aircleaner box.( a full quart of acorns).
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V8MANual
GenIV
7/22/2006
07:08:40
|  RE: gas mileage has become crap. HELP!
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Message:
If your clutch is slipping, mileage will suck. If it isn't, why are you changing it?
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/22/2006
18:37:17
| RE: gas mileage has become crap. HELP!
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Message:
18 to 20 MPG seems pretty good to me.
How to check for clutch slippage;
place bumper against immovable object.
place transmission in 3rd or 4th gear.
rev er up and s-l-o-w-l-y let out the clutch.
If it stalls, the clutch isn't slipping.
It is really cool to do like the big boys and shift without the clutch. Things last a long time that way.
Crappy Running;
I just replced the MAP Sensor on my 98 3.9.
Why?
The torque was gone (sounds like a Motown song). Anyway, there was no poop, umph, pull, nothing. Ran like it was neutered. And, I was using lots of throttle, something I never do when things are right. And the cruise control wouldn't hold.
A c-note and all seems well.
Whats the point? Don't throw money at the problem. A good scanning tool is what you need (as opposed to a code reader) so you can see what the various components are doing.
The only way, outside of Mythbusters techniques, to check your mileage accurately is to fill the tank completely; subtract miles from the last fill up then devide miles by gallons. THEN average over at least three tanks. Why? Air bubbles, nozzles that turn off too soon.
A/C; Buy the gauges and follow specifications, or pay a pro.
A/C is not one of the things where "More is Better." In fact more is a good way to cost yourself a mess o money.
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