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08:13:16 - 11/17/2024
Dakota Performance
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Jackson
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2006
01:06:40
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 Subject: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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Hey guys. I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 Sport Truck that I drive to work and back and here lately I have noticed that the truck has less power and I checked the MPG and it has went down about 2 MPG!
Let me tell you a little about the truck and what it was like before.
First off all if has a cold air intake on it, 5 speed transmission and a 3.9L V6 engine. All stock except the cold air intake. Anyways it has 56,000 miles on it. About 3,000 miles ago I changed spark plugs and I installed the Bosch plugs. About 1,000 miles ago I changed oil, but I changed oil brands also. I went from Castrol to Quaker State.
Can you guys help me firgure out my loss in power and MPG. Where I live, I do some highway driving, but mainly mountain driving so I know my MPG sucks, but I was getting about 20-22 MPG and now I am getting about 18MPG and a seat of the pants loss in power. I have to gear down in places that I nomrally could "keep on truckin."
I wouldn't think the spark plugs would be the problem because the truck idles well and does not hesitate at all. I use the same gas station to fill up. I have tried some of the fuel cleaner treatments thinking my injectors might be clogged, but no luck with those either. My tire pressure is good also. The only thing I can think of is the oil brand change. Would this cause me to loose this much power and MPG? Please help guys! Gas is killing me!
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zzark
*GenII*
7/19/2006
09:35:32
| RE: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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Message:
First, go to Advance or Autozone, etc. and get them to scan the computer.
Any codes?
While you are at the store, buy a can of Seafoam. Use it in the gas tank, and put some in the TB.
Go to Seafoam web site for details.
It can also be used as an engine oil flush, btw.
Check ALL your fluids, esp trans and axle.
All ok?
Air filter clean?
Check a couple plugs. Look good?
What weight oil?? Should use what the Dodge says, probably 5W-30 or 10W-30.
zzark
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2006
15:18:00
| RE: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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Message:
Knowing which engine you have would help, or you'll mostly get generic information. 4.7L engines sometimes don't like "the Bosch plugs".
If it's within your budget, switch to synthetic oil at your next oil change. Mobil-1 5W-30 works well, and is highly recommended in many forums.
Amsoil is way too expensive, and Redline (the stuff I've seen anyway) doesn't carry API certification, and it costs even more than Amsoil!
Castrol Syntech is OK, but it's not a true synthetic, so don't stretch change intervals with it.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2006
15:25:31
| RE: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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Message:
bosch plugs are ok on the 3.9. i run them in my '00 3.9.
could be a lazy/weak O2 sensor. but i'd check it first. you don't want to buy an O2 sensor if you don't have to.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2006
19:28:33
| RE: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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You don't need a scanner to check for codes in an 01.....
Just cycle the key - on, off, on, off, on and read the codes in the odometer window.
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
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7/22/2006
20:30:57
| RE: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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Message:
Change gas stations for a while. Go where they sell a lot of gas. Could also be the "summer blend" or they may have switched from MTBE to Ethinol. The change will screw up mileage for a few tankfulls.
You do know the brand and higher octane do not matter, don't you?
I just replaced the MAP sensor on my 3.9, because the torque was gone (sounds Motown, doesn't it) and I was doing things like using throttle, downshifting and cruise wouldn't hold a setting.
Be sure before you throw a c-note at it.
MPG: I get high 18's to 19's year round. I recently carried 1,200 lbs from San Jose to LA and averaged 21MPG.
If I check MPG on a half tank fill up I usually get 16.
I think you should calculate average miles per gallon over a few tanks to be accurate.
Ps; I have used Amsoil 0W-30 oil for 520,000 miles in my engine because I can go 25,000 miles or longer between changes and that costs way less than changing every 3,000 miles. Or 5,000 miles.
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Get Over It
Dodge Dakota
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7/22/2006
22:27:25
| RE: Power and MPG Loss, Help!
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Message:
Oh! Oh! Help me too! I was going up a hill and I noticed the mileage was not as good as when I was going down the hill. What could be the problem? How do I adjust that gravity thing?
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