just hit 90,000 miles and concerned

Subject: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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I have on 02 3.9 dakota that just hit 90,000 miles it looks imaculate but u know what they say don't read a book my its cover. what should i be keeping an eye out for now that it hit this point I hear of alot of dakotas goin downhill after they hit 90,000 miles.

I have kept the oil changed reigiously and all other fluids and maintnance.

Adam
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2007
22:47:19

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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I'm at almost at 128K and the only thing I've done so far is replace the O2 sensor twice, now I'm going to replace the Cat, Replaced timing chain thinking the other was loose but wasn't, replaced intake plenum, replaced front brakes and caliper due to one being stuck shut and rotors being warped and now I have a small oil leak. I look at it for almost 128K not bad and all this happened after 110K. I'm not the first owner so the first 99K I have no idea though.

dakota49
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2007
20:44:43

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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Dakota49 88 3.9 5 speed. reman engine.
The only problems I had with mine was it was wore out when I bought it 172000 miles. I put about 100 miles on it, pulled the engine stripped it down to bare block, and heads then took it to a machine shop. Someone didn't take very good care of the engine, but the rest of the truck was in great shape.
I think if you just keep doing what you have been you should be in good shape. Check drive belts, hoses, radiator, and heater, and all fluids.
Good Luck,
Dakota49

Problem Child
GenIII

8/28/2007
21:19:43

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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I turned 115 on mine this morning, I'm the only owner, and mostly highway miles. I've run Synthetic oil since factory oil has been drained after 3000. I have quite a few mods, replaced O2 sensors, tps sensor, map sensor, throttle sensor at 108,000 (Not that all of them where bad).

Engine, knock on wood has been good. My only real problems have been the front brakes, replaced it all 3 times. Last time with the 03 durango brakes (with that job I had to replace the steering knuckles, ball joints) I'm very pleased with that, but something I prefered, something you may not. I had to replace the fuel pump at 98,000 but I can't blame that on the pump, I got some bad fuel, but regardless, I had to eat the fuel pump because I can't compete with the oil companies. I noticed lately of the water on the floor pan on the passenger side. I haven't had the time to get into it. I am dreading that battle. (and it's not the AC, I don't run it enough for all the water that is there at times)

I may waste the money but for my birthday every year, I buy myself new plugs, dist cap, rotor button, and alternate years on plug wires. And only feed it 91 plus octane.

Each one is different, we all Drive em different, we all maintain em different. Watch the fuel gauge and run the numbers, once it starts slipping from the normal mileage of your truck, start looking.

02stx
Dodge Dakota
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8/29/2007
22:30:07

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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that sounds alot more comforting to hear now. I had the same problem with the wet foorboard on the passenegr side I don't know what the problem was cause I don't use AC at all. (saves gas despite what others think.) I just lift up the carpet and pad and let the water evaporate evry few months or so. I took it back to the dealer while it was under waranty and the did a **** job cause the sealant they used didn't hold at all. Don't ask where or what they sealed I have no idea I just know it worke for a few months and then after that it was back again.

Kate T
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2007
20:22:02

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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I've got a 98 Dakota - 154K+ - Just changed the Cat, not really
sure it needed it. Serpentine belt last summer, fuel pump in
2004. problem with intermittent stalling, major concern was the
ball joints, replaced 3 times. within 2 years.

keep up with all the fluids.

I'm hoping to make it to 200K. Still a good little truck. Better
than my Caravan was - although that hit 205K before she died.

silvdak17
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2007
12:29:19

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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I have a 99 dakota 2wd 3.9L - 84,000 mi

so far:
Replaced sensor that goes on rear differential (forget what it's called, but it caused my speedo to stop working and the check engine light and parking brake light to stay on)

replaced tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt (the original pulley rusted out, didn't provide enough tension on the belt)

replaced the catalytic converter twice (both under federal 8-year 80,000 mile warranty)

replaced thermostat. It sprung a leak and I was leaking coolant. I didn't know it was because my temperature gauge never went to dangerous high levels.

and just a few days ago I replaced the battery. I've had the truck since she was new and this is the first time I remember replacing the battery. 8 years isn't too bad!

I do wonder about the ball joints though. When I'm making a slow, tight turn in a parking lot I'll feel a bump, like I'm driving over a hump in the asphalt or something. Then it goes away once I take her on the road. Is this a ball joint issue?

oz
Dodge Dakota
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9/10/2007
16:00:03

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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My 01 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V6 Automatic 3.5 Liter just recently hit 99,900 miles and suddendly I get p0171 code (Lean left bank) rough idle and loss of power on inclines at freeway speed. Fuel mileage went down the tubes so first thing I check out was for vacumm leak, check hoses, checked plenum, shot propane around manifold, nothing....I then change PCV, air filter, spark plugs, etc. and problem still there.

So i finally take it to a trusted dealer, they hoop up to diagnostic and there's engine misfire on two cylinders.....they rule out vacuum leaks, fuel system problems, etc.

They think problem is in cylinder heads $900 just to open valve covers and remove heads to inspect, plus addition $1000 to $1500 if they find problem and they need to re-surface or replace parts....total estimate $2,500 dollars...

My other car has 100K Plus miles, and I need at least one good car so I opted to trade it in for an 06 Nissan Frontier instead......got $5,000 trade-in value (Kelley's had it at $6,000 for a clean truck)

gulfwarsubvet
Dodge Dakota
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9/11/2007
07:21:54

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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Water on the passenger floorboard was a common problem. The hose running to the outside has either a clog or a kink in it. Seems the way they routed the hose caused it to clog with mung. When you run the truck on defrost setting the A/C cycles on and off, no matter what the temp setting is. So even if you don't use the A/C a lot you can still get a buildup of condensation. The dealer replaced the tube and carpet in my 03 because of this. 3.9 is a good motor, basically a 5.2 (318) with 2 cylinders lopped off. These motors routinely last 200-250K miles with proper maintenance.

05 QuadCab 3.7 4x4

Had:
01 QuadCab 4x4 4.7 5-speed lifted on Swampers
03 RC 2wd 4.7 5-speed lowered
99 RC 2wd 3.9

Relf
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2007
20:51:35

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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02stx, 240,000 on my 1998 Dakota 4x4 v6. Just regular ol' maintenance. Still pretty strong.

Relf.

02stx
Dodge Dakota
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10/28/2007
19:02:22

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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wow im not as worried now.

J and J Auto
GenII

10/30/2007
00:05:14

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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The 3.9 has a reputation for lasting 250,000 miles
easily as long as the mantainance is done

The weak spot was the timing chain instaled
without the tensioner on the earlyer models

I don't remember what year but they started
instaling the tensioner at the factory that solved
that problem

I have so many customers with over 250,000 with
just a new chain and tensioner instaled still
running every day most use no oil but a few use
a Qt in 3000 miles

I just replaced the plugs cap and rotor on a 94
with 357,000 miles on it chain was done at 120,000

I have one guy who stops by that has just over
500,000 miles this one had a dyna gear roller chain sprokets and tensiner put in at 220,000
but this guy I sware never drives over 50mph

These little V6 motors will take a 100 shot of
nitrious or a super charger with 8 psi boost and
hold up fine running stock or with all the mods
your not going to tear up this motor easily

compare this to the chevy s10 V6 run one of those
hard and you will be picking up shrapnal off
the road I seen it so many times and laugh every
time someone brings a blown one in and its not a
rebuild its replace the motor time

Larry
J&J Auto

TobyWD40
Dodge Dakota
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11/01/2007
13:30:29

RE: just hit 90,000 miles and concerned
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1992 Dakota 3.9 Turbo MPI 2wd automatic stock.
I have one suggestion. I have 169,000 and am just having an electrical problem, not running.
I asked a question on here and since then have started rebuilding my truck one sensor at a time. It was just an old Dodge pickup, now I don't want anything else and as Larry said it's a fine machine,(not exactly what he said HA!), I have a friend that just got a new chevy V8. I drove it and thought the space in the engine compartment was nice and organized, but I honestly think I would out run him with my V6. His will just barely pull more than mine and you can tell it's just not made as well. I wish I had just started changing a little something every month a year or so ago so now I wouldn't be tempted to try to change everything. You might want to get a Haynes manual and start changing or fixing one thing at a time. Read here and get a handle on wire splices that fail, sensors and little stuff these guy's do and you probably won't have to worry about the big stuff for some time. Thanks TobyWD40

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