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Lynn
Dodge Dakota
10/15/2001
07:43:35
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 Subject: V6 engine life?
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Considering buying a 1992 Dakota Sport for my son. Has a 3.9 V6 with 160,000 miles on it. 1 owner, well maintained, does not burn oil.
Wondering what the reputation is of these engines.
Is it realistic to expect to run this past 200,000 miles?
Thanks, Lynn.
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cbsdakota
GenIII
10/15/2001
11:24:03
|  RE: V6 engine life?
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When I was 18, I had that exact combo (92, 3.9, 160,000+ miles, 1 owner). It was an auto. The catalytic converter rattled. Took that off. Had to change the fuel pump. Fairly simple. Ran it pretty hard (brake torgueing, full throttle alot, hauled stuff, pulled a trailer) for over a year. The engine and transmission held up awesome. I knew little about trucks so I bought a new '99 and now have a 2000. I wish I would have kept the '92 because it was a sweet truck. Even put a Viper blue w/ white racing stripes paintjob on it!
Project QUIKV6
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Lattimer
Dodge Dakota
10/15/2001
16:22:24
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I've seen at least 3 3.9L V-6 Dakotas run beyond 200,000 miles. That was one of the biggest reasons I opted for the V-6. I know of one that has been beaten severely for all 280,000 miles, with few oil changes and even fewer problems. The truck still runs, but the body is so rusted (its a 1988) that it won't pass PA state inspection.
By the way, mileage really means nothing if the vehicle was treated properly, especially if you're talking hiway miles.
Just my humble opinion,
Shawn
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Rob
Dodge Dakota
10/15/2001
18:15:25
| RE: V6 engine life?
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My uncle is a marine mechanic so he is always towing boat and having motors in the back, he's got over 450 000 KM on it and it's still going strong.
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justin
Dodge Dakota
10/15/2001
21:21:35
| RE: V6 engine life?
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BUT YOUR SON A 2-STROKE DIRT BIKE WITH CRAZY POWER BANDS!!
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Spyder343
Dodge Dakota
10/16/2001
02:30:48
| RE: V6 engine life?
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My '89 3.9 V6 Dakota Sport has 210,000 miles on it, and it looks and runs like it's new. With routine maintenance, I have never had any problems with it. Dakotas are great trucks, and, based on my experience, I would highly recommend purchasing one.
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Burke
Dodge Dakota
10/16/2001
16:53:12
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I work for a major auto parts store and know of several 200,000 + mile 3.9 dak's. It should be no supprise that these motors hold up so well. They are a 318 with two cylnders chopped off and we all know how long 318 can and do run. My advice, go for it.
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Burke
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/07/2004
18:04:12
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I work for a major auto parts store and know of several 200,000 + mile 3.9 dak's. It should be no supprise that these motors hold up so well. They are a 318 with two cylnders chopped off and we all know how long 318 can and do run. My advice, go for it.
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Eva
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/07/2004
18:31:16
| RE: V6 engine life?
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look up 92 v6 stall and backfire on this forum... and there are several others with the same prob... there are also many who don't have the prob... but mine is only at 100,000 and seems to be dying... I just bought it four months ago at 98,000
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aaron_eb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/07/2004
21:53:57
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I have a '97 dakota 3.9, and mine was having the same problem, after it got warm, it would start sputtering and backfiring, etc. Anyway, it turned out to be a crankshaft position sensor. I don't know if the older 3.9's had the same problems or not. Anyway, just my 2 cents. Aaron
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look
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/07/2004
22:26:52
| RE: V6 engine life?
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all the 3.9's that seem to be seeing over 200k or 130k for that are the pre mag motored daks..but why get ur son a truck like that? atleast get him a mag motored dak so he can have sum power, even if u will have to replace the comp/tranny/and everything else that has to do with the drive train, and electrical cuz its $hit. the motor will last tho, maybe if ur lucky..on second thought buy him a v8 malibu, he will get better gas mileage, have more power, and have less probs
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sepac
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
16:47:52
| RE: V6 engine life?
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Ive got a 97 dakota it has 647000 kilos on it the origial motor ran up to 513000 kilos.It still has original trans in it and still gets me to where i need to be quite well.
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J and J Auto
GenII
1/09/2004
01:05:02
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I have seen a ton of V6'ers with over 250,000 and
still running very well.
If the truck was well maintained go for it they
are great little trucks
I have a 1990 pre mag with 257,000 and still runs
but is burning a qt every 2000 miles now and it
had the crap beat out of it, This truck has not
even had the timing chain changed and still gets
20mpg
Larry
J&J Auto
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Robert
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/09/2004
14:07:24
| RE: V6 engine life?
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My father has a 92 3.9 Dak with a 180K miles and is still running fine. Talked to him yesterday, says it has no heat, radio is broken, thing looks like death warmed over, but he won't unload it because "it is running so well"
He has the means to buy a new truck.
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Wadak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/09/2004
16:22:21
| RE: V6 engine life?
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We have had a total of 4 dak v6's, 1987 with 180,000 miles on it when sold, it was well maintained. Another 1987 with a 150,000 miles when it was sold, still ran well. My son has a 1992 with 140,000 miles and still runs well.
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Sandy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/27/2004
20:58:28
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I have a 92' with a V6 Dakota its the best little truck but after 140,000 miles i've had to replace the whole distrubtor. I don't know if if the timing is set right exactly or not. Does anyone know the timing degrees ? its been kinda doing some valve clattering latley. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Sandy
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cbmoose
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2004
09:48:52
| RE: V6 engine life?
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My '93 Ext Cab 4X4 has 154K on it, and it runs fine. The original cat still makes PA emissions, and since I started using Delvac oil it no longer uses 1 quart every 3000 miles. It had 68K on it when I bought it in April 2000. Have a good mechanic you trust check it out, especially the cylinder compression, and if he gives it the thumbs-up, go for it.
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capone
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2004
11:54:35
| RE: V6 engine life?
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I've had two '94 3.9 Dakotas. The first one has 80,000 on it and
then it hit a tree. It was in great shape though, I'm going to be
selling the engine from it soon if anyone is interested.
The one I have right now has 150,000 on it. I just drove it
halfway across the state towing a Jimmy on a dolly behind it. No
problems at all. Only had to shift out of o/d on the uphills.
These are great trucks. The engines last forever. I'm planning
on putting a 5.9 in once my current engine dies, but I expect to
have at least another 100,000 left in her.
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Dianes 88 Dak
GenI
2/29/2004
01:12:43
| RE: V6 engine life?
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Message:
SANDY,
Should be 10deg. I believe.
Diane's 88 Dakota [MOPAR RULES...other's... well, you know] http--dodgetrucks.org-cgi-bin-index.pluser=1054&cat=500&thumb=1
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Greg
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2004
16:46:57
| RE: V6 engine life?
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Well, I don't know the life expectancy of these trucks however I can tell you from mine as long as you take very good or atleast try to maintain it, it oughta last a very long time... Mine at 80,000 miles still has all of the original crosshatching in the cylinders... Of course since 60,000 I have been using Mobil 0-30 full syn along with two treatments of Auto RX... The inside of my engine is nearly spotless and looks just as good as new...
I also talked to an old engine builder who said as long as it's mopar, you can expect to see the crosshatching way up into the 100,000 miles mark... He said all the one's he's ever pulled apart still looked as good as new inside...
Now I personally had one cylinder that had a partially stoped up injector that leaned out the mixture and caused my head to crack right through the valve seats, but I also bought the truck this way... Whish is partly why I always say all used is, is another persons problems, so just be a good judge over it and hopefully you'll get a good one...
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99DAK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2004
00:15:36
| RE: V6 engine life?
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Sandy (and Diane) - ignition timing is controlled by the PCM, rotating the distributor affects injector sync (cam timing). You really need someone with a DRB III to set it properly. I think there's a way to get it in the ballpark with a DVM, but the point is you shouldn't mess with it unless you really know what you're doing.
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