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Jay
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
09:02:32
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 Subject: Looking for a little help...
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I have a 2000 V6 3.9L Dakota Quad Cab. I think my odemeter was at 83,000 miles as of this morning. Over the past year I have switched to the valvoline max life oil, put on new tires and got a new tonneau cover. I have seen my MPG go from ~16.0 to 17.8. I am please with that, but I think I could get over that 18 mark. I have not yet replaced the spark plugs or oxygen sensor. Do people think I should do that soon? If so, myself? What type of spark plugs do you recommend? Also, I checked the manual and there is no diagram as to where they are located. Can someone help describe their location to me? How many are there?
Thanks!
Jay
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duh
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
09:34:05
|  RE: Looking for a little help...
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duh
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
09:39:28
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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Hey Jay,
Not trying to be a smartas$ or anything, but what are your driving habits? All interstate, combined interstate/city, all city? Also, what kind of mph do you normally drive? These are factors that need to be considered. Higher speeds cause lower gas mileage as we all know (yes, Mr. Obvious could have said that).
FYI..I read good things on this site about the drop in K&N air filter. Most people see an increase in gas mileage anywhere from .5 to 2 mpg. If you aren't getting any codes for the O2 sensors, I wouldn't touch them yet. Others may disagree, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Don't know about the placement of the plugs on the 6 cyl Dak, but since it's a V-6, there would be six plugs. Like I said, I have the V-8, but I check out the V-6 board ocassionaly because you can always learn something new.
And since you asked how many plugs there are on a 6 cyl engine, you're probably gonna get some $hit from people...ignore it. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
10:25:48
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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I thought that a V6 would mean 6 plugs, but I wasn't positive. Since it is not mentioned at all in the manual, I figured I would ask on here. I knew that I would be able to get my answer - even at the risk of sounding like an auto-novice.
I drive ~70 miles round trip each day (M-F) mostly on highway where I probably average 70-70MPH. I realize you get the best MPG when you are at 55, however, the increase I have seen from 16-17.8 has been without me altering my driving style or route.
I am getting an emissions code of P0442. The last time this code came up (few months ago), my gas cap was loose. I got it again now so I picked up a new Stant cap just to be safe. The seal on the old cap looks pretty worn. If the code doesn't clear, do you think the P0442 could mean something with the oxygen sensors?
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
10:41:01
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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Jay,
I also had the same code before. Replaced the gas cap and cleared the codes and haven't gotten the code back since.
Remove the battery cables to clear the codes or you can go to autozone and they can clear them for you. The code won't clear by itself.
Don't worry about sounding like a novice. The folks on this board are more than happy to help. The trolls just cause trouble and as you see above, duh proved my point.
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
10:54:44
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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Adam, Actually the codes do reset if you have something like 40 starts without another failure reading. Let time it took just over a week, so we'll see. If it doesn't clear by Friday I will disconnect the battery as you mentioned above.
Thanks!
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
11:20:38
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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the general consensus here is to use autolight plugs. I have been using them for years. I also use autolight wires. Most people on here upgraded their ingition, cap, rotor, and thermostat and run plugs that are one range colder than stock.
if you are not doing any of these upgrades, I would use stock plugs and a good wire set (autolight works well for me). You can get autolights at wal-mart. wal-mart also sells champion (some people here still use champion plugs as that is what the factory used)
Pick up the haynes manual. You can get them at any auto parts stores.
Usually the # of cylinders = the number of spark plugs. there are a few rare occasions though.
- Dan M
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hum
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
17:37:28
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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do a search for "injector sync" that may help your mileage.
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schmidtmike
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2005
21:29:22
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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I would recommend NGK's. They are a far superior plug, compared to the Champions and Autolites everyone keeps nutting over. Plus they come with a sleeve that protects the electrode from damage. I've consistently checked the gap on the NGK's, and they are always perfect, right from the box.
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2005
09:49:23
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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Ironically, the engine light cleared when I went to the gym at lunch time yesterday (Monday).
Is the Haynes manual generally better then the Chilton one? Those are the two I see listed on auto parts websites.
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cuzindoug
GenIII
9/13/2005
12:56:24
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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From my personal experience, the Haynes is ALOT more detailed than the Chilton. The Chilton gives you just a general overview, while the Haynes actually breaks it down.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2005
13:20:15
| RE: Looking for a little help...
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Haynes makes you feel good all under!
Sorry, couldn't resist lol
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