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iDakota
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2008
17:36:55
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 Subject: Recommended Engine Replacement
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99 Dodge Dakota V6 3.9L 4x4
160,000 plus miles
Anyone have a rough estimate for engine replacement (rebuilt or new)? Should I bother? Truck body is in excellent condition.
I have been having trouble with my truck for a while now that seemed to be intermitent. Truck would idle rough at red lights. Engine codes were multiple engine misfire in cylinders 4 & 6. I replace plugs, wire, rotor, distributor cap, O2 sensor, but nothing worked.
Took the truck to a reputable mechanic:
Tests:
- 4 and 6 misfire, P0420 converter failure
- Compression test (1-155, 2-135, 3-125, 4-55, 5-140, 6-135)
- Cylinder leak test (#4-95% leak past exhaust valve)
Diagnosis:
- Bad exhaust valve or valve seat at cylinder #4
Recommendation:
- Engine Replacement (milage on vehicle makes repairing risky and could cause lower engine problems)
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2008
09:26:58
|  RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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Message:
why don't you just have them rebuild the heads? clean up the ports on the heads and intake manifold a little, new gaskets and you could probably get another 100k outta that motor.
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dakota2112
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2008
11:21:48
| RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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Message:
daddio's recommendation is a gamble. I was in a similar situation with my '97 recently. It lost compression in #5. In my case, the suspected problem was down in the block unfortunately (oil added to the cylinder temporarily restored compression == rings/cylinder wear). But before I had discovered that, I had already told myself that even if it was up at the valvetrain level, I was still going to get rid of it instead of investing a lot of money into a vehicle with 172k miles already on the clock. Lots of other things were overdue to go out... oil seals, fuel injectors, all original sensors, etc.
I would have loved to have kept my truck and gotten a reman'd engine, but reliability is a requirement for me and with that many miles on it, I released the truck from duty before it had the chance to leave me stranded somewhere and turn into a money pit. Electrical gremlins, rusted brake lines, radiator, rear axle, all those things will wear out eventually. I got my money's worth out of the truck so I quit while I was ahead. Your mileage may vary of course :)
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shadetree
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2008
13:01:58
| RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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There is always a chance with that many miles that if you seal up the top end you could cause the bottom end to have problems.
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Jeff VanSlyke
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2008
16:30:45
| RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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i did that once with my 85 ramcharger 360
did the heads, lasted the fall ended up doing the hole thing over. apparently it did not like having compresion again.milage on it was 92000
miles.
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dakota49
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2008
23:29:52
| RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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Message:
iDakota, if you really like the truck you do have a few options, try looking on the internet to find someone who sells rebuilt engines, find a shop near you to rebuilt it for you, or a cheaper way to go is go to a junk yard and see if you can get a good used engine and change it out yourself. Or you could pull the engine and tear it down your self and find a machine shop to do the machine work then put it back together yourself.
I'm sure you could have other options as well, just some things to think about.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Good Luck
Dakota49
1`988 3.9 4X4 5speed
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shadetree
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2008
07:43:58
| RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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I would recommend a remaned unit if it's within you budget. Because from looking at the compression numbers you posted the #3 cylinder is not far behind the #4. What I mean is that you should never have less than 100 psi on each cylinder, but you should also not have more than 40 psi difference between any two cylinders and you have 155psi in #1 cyl and 125psi on 3 thats already 30psi difference. You could fixed cyl 4, but you may be doing the other side in a few months too. Plus with most remaned engine you get 3 years warranties. However, if you are getting tired of the truck you may just want to trade it.
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iDakota
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2008
08:45:56
| RE: Recommended Engine Replacement
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I may just trade it in on a used truck. I have been looking at used Sierra pickups but have not test driven any. Really hate to have two vehicle payments at the same time but if I want to pull my camper this summer looks like I may have to break down and get a diffent truck.
Thanks for the responses. They have been very educational and greatly appreciated.
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