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87dak
Dodge Dakota
12/08/2001
23:41:01
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 Subject: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
Hi, I just recently bought a 87 dakota. It's got the 3.9L V6 and its automatic with 150k on it.
The engine is pretty cruddy looking and I have been reading the posts here on how to clean it out, but I am also wondering what parts often wear out and need replacing. I'd rather do it now rather then when something goes wrong. I am looking to keeping this truck around for a long time and I am going for durability, not speed or high performance. I am still learning about engines and cars/trucks in general so don't be afraid to explain even the simple stuff, I want to learn :) Its got new belts and the plug wires look pretty new, although I cant say for sure. I plan on getting a complete tune up soon but I'm not even sure what that entails. So what parts often need replacing and what can I do to keep my truck running for a long time?
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87dak
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
11:47:06
|  RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
moving this up - any suggestions?
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Knobbyman
GenIII
12/09/2001
11:55:27
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Heh to clean out the engine? I'd go to AutoZone and get some engine cleaner take it to the local car wash.. Spray the cleaner all over the enging *don't forget to cover what ever is electrical in the engine bay in there* let it sit for what ever time the can says.. then spray it off.. I also use the degreeser that the car place has. That usually cleans all the really nasty stuff off. Depending on how bad it is you might have to do it a few times. But that's where I'd start.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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87dak
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
12:05:56
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
Thanks I got the part about cleaning it, but what I am really wondering about is what parts I should look into replacing. What fails most often? I'd rather replace it now rather then when something goes wrong
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JLW
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
17:35:59
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
Belts, plugs, and plug wires are a good place to start. Change the oil an oil filter just to be sure. I would also replace your ditrib. cap and rotor along with your fuel filter. Check on your air filter and replace that if its looking pretty dirty. Also check on your transmission fluid level and differential oil level. Grease up all the grease points in the front suspention as well as the drive shaft. You can get a haynes manual of ebay.com for about 10 bucks, this will help you out w/ the maintenance and repairs as well as understanding your truck better. good luck and let us know if you have anymore questions,
-Jason, 88 3.9 4x4 5spd
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87dak
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
17:52:29
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
Thanks very much Jason. I change the oil and filter reguarly. The air filter is nice and clean. Can you give a rough estimate of what the distributor cap and/or the fuel filter and rotor would cost to replace? (I don't even know where/what the rotor is or does, hehe)
The fuel filter would probably be a good place to start for me, as I have been having problems with the fuel cutting out on me (see my other thread) I'll look into getting a Haynes manual. Thanks again for the help
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JLW
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
18:55:27
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
They are both relatively cheap items. the distrib. cap & rotor = ~$10-$15, fuel filter = ~$15-$20. The distrib. cap is the thing right behind your carburetor that has all of your plug wires running to it. The rotor is in side of that, it attaches to you distributor and rotates sending spark to the correct plug at the correct time, in order for you engine to fire.
-Jason
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87dak
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
22:03:43
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
Ok I understand... thanks again for the help. Where would you reccomend I buy these parts from? Are they easy enough to install on my own or should I take em to a mechanic?
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JLW
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
22:39:39
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Any autoparts store will have them. There pretty easy to install, it depends how comfortable you are w/ this stuff, but my guess is you shouldnt have too much trouble w/ them especially w/ a repair manual on hand.
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
23:23:03
|  RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
Hey, congrats on you Dak. They are nice little pick ups. I have a 90'. Love the thing to death. You should have the Trans. looked at and checked for any probs. Dak tranny's are notorious for being weak. Normally, that is one of the weakest parts on the truck.
Get rid of the Cat. conv and replace it with a high flow, or just weld a straight pipe in its place. Those CATS are really clogged up after 13 years. Your HP and MPG will improve alot.
Good Luck.
Joe E.
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TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
12/10/2001
09:57:01
| RE: 87 dakota engine maintenence questions
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Message:
If you want to clean up the engine's appearance, I'd start with removing the valve covers, having them sand blasted, and then paint them black or Mopar orange or something. Then get some new aftermarket, high performance plug wires for some dressy color too. If the engine runs fine for now, you could just do some cosmetic touch-up work like what I mentioned.
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Byron
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/16/2003
18:52:06
| 88 dakota engine questions
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Message:
I just bought a 88' dak 2x4, 5spd, 2.2 4cyl. I'm haveing trouble maintaining speed on highway hills, I.E. the engine seems to be way under powered for the size of the truck. this is also a rebuilt engine with only 23,000 miles on it. the truck its self only has 190,000+. I don't know if the 2.2 engine has always had this problem or not. I also would like to know how big of a pain it would be to put a larger engine, would I need a new trans also? I just need more HP!!
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