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kazoo
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2002
10:26:22
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 Subject: lack of power
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Hey guys, I have a 89 3.9L and it lacks power. If I am going up a hill I lose speed so I down shift, reving 3000 still have a hard time keeping the speed limit. Last time on the highway with a head wind I was in fourth gear for 2.5 hours reving 3000 so I could do about 70 mph. Every time I shifted into overdrive I dropped down to less than 60 mph and even floored, the truck would not accelerate. Someone told me it might be a fuel problem so I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, fuel pump and most of the fuel hoses. Its still the same. Also if I try to start the truck a couple of minutes after I turned it off it will not start. I have to sit there for a couple more minutes before it decides to start. It will turn over, it just wont catch. I have no idea what it could be so I hope you guys can help me. Thanks for any info.
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Todd W
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2002
11:36:54
|  RE: lack of power
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How many miles on it? I had a friend in high school who had an older Chevy half ton with a V8. It wouldn't make headway in a headwind in 5th (stick) at all, and had trouble starting. Turned out to be low compression in several cylinders. Does the truck burn oil? Have you noticed oil in the coolant? Coolant in the oil (you'll see that as foaming along the dipstick immediatly above the oil level after running). I'd do a compression test, check the plugs and wires too. Could just be nasty plugs and wires.
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kazoo
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2002
13:10:34
| RE: lack of power
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Message:
I have a 162,000 miles on it. I checked the compression a while back and had between 150 and 160 psi in all cylinders. Does not burn oil just leaks it. When I did the compression test I looked at the plugs and they look normal. I have the bosh platinum +4 in there now. In my next course of action I was going to replace the plugs with autolite plugs, get some new wires and change the cap and rotor.
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Todd W
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2002
13:54:19
| RE: lack of power
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Message:
Hmm... here's an idea. Check the spark. Unscrew one of the plugs and rest it on the block (have the spark tip not touching anything!) and have a friend crank the engine. DO NOT TOUCH THE PLUG. If it's a fat blue spark, all is good. If it's weak, then check the wires, cap and rotor, and coil. You may have weak spark leading to incomplete burn and lack of power. Also, run some injector cleaner through it. Clogged injectors could be an issue as well. Make sure the timing is right, ect... just check the minor stuff! It's likely something simple if you've got gas, spark, and compression.
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BlkV6
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2002
00:11:09
| RE: lack of power
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Message:
Hey theres probably a little difference between an 89 dakota and my 97 but i pretty much had a similar problem like yours and took it to the shop and they changed out a few things on my transmission it cost about $700 to fix it so i would start looking at your trans for the probable cause., but then it may have nothing to do with it LATER
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King Rat
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2002
13:17:17
| RE: lack of power
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I have a 1990 Dakota SE, 2wd. It's got a 3.9L with 112,000 2 owner miles. I have been experiencing a lack of power going up hills as well. I can ussually get up to speed at around 2500-3000 rpm's. My biggest problem is in fuel efficiency. I used to get 18-21 mpg's. On the highway I am now getting a pathetic 14-15 mpg's. I haven't found the problem but I will be changing my bad Idle Control Motor and cleaning and re-gapping my 6 month old plugs. I'll let you know if this helps.
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BlackDakRacer
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2002
13:48:48
| RE: lack of power
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Message:
As harlow would say, Buy some autolites, hee hee
~~Eric
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DodgeBoy
Dodge Dakota
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11/06/2003
23:56:30
| RE: lack of power
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Message:
It's a fine Chrysler product. Use regular Champion plugs and set gap 5/1000 over spec. Replace electrical system (wires, cap, rotor). Cut some holes in your air filter pot and toss the cold air induction hose (it's a choke).
PS: the 3.9L hates Bosch plugs
'88 Dakota 4x4, 220 000 mi, 26 mpg hwy.
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J and J Auto
GenII
11/07/2003
11:14:32
| RE: lack of power
IP: Logged
Message:
Was the O2 ever replaced
Larry
J&J Auto
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