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01:19:42 - 12/20/2024
V8 Dakotas
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Ajrettke
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2010
16:14:35
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 Subject: Restoring some power
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I have a 99 Dakota Sport 5.2L. It's lost a lot of it's pep over the years and I was wondering what are some inexpensive replacements I can do to help restore some of the power? I'm not looking at dragging or anything. I just don't want it to have to downshift everytime I go up a slight grade on the highway.
Also if it's relevant, I'm in Colorado Springs with the altitude of ~6500' I had the vehicle in Missouri prior and the problems were the same, but I just thought I'd mention I'm high altitude in case it matters for anything.
Thanks,
Aaron
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well
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2010
17:24:05
|  RE: Restoring some power
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How many miles on this motor?
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Ajrettke
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2010
17:31:49
| RE: Restoring some power
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125,000
Is it almost a lost cause? I'm not looking at dumping 1,000 into it, just maybe a few tips tricks, new plugs, maybe injectors...ECU reflash etc
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Chris G
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2010
12:17:34
| RE: Restoring some power
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Aside from a tune up, here's an interesting trick I've come across that does help if you have problems with carbon buildup - mainly if you spend alot of time at lower RPMs.
Have the engine running while parked, take a spray bottle and filled with water, and slightly hold your throttle plate open and spray water into the intake. You're probably gonna end up playing the the throttle so the engine doesn't die, and don't dump the water in, just spray. Yes, it'll take awhile, but it'll help. Usually a .5L to 1L works decently.
The idea behind this is to remove alot of carbon buildup from the combustion chambers without tearing the heads off. The water raises the temperature in the chambers and atomizes the carbon, allowing it to lift and escape out your exhaust.
If you do this at night, you'll probably see your exhaust manifolds glow.
But, if you spend most of your time at high RPMs (4k+) then this probably won't help, since the carbon probably won't be much accumulated.
This trick does in fact work, despite the idea of pouring water down your intake is kinda taboo. But if you don't like this idea, then a few tank fulls of a fuel system cleaner will do some good, I heard the V-Power worked pretty well for carbon.
I had a dieseling problem once when I first got my truck and this solved it quickly and inexpensively, before I adjusted the timing and etc. But with almost 200k miles on it, I plan to do it more thoroughly (maybe 3L).
But even if you don't wanna do either of those two, shift into FIRST and drive around town for awhile - sure, your gas mileage will tank, but the force in the combustion chambers will knock out alot of carbon. The idea here is: high RPMS = good.
There's no reason an engine with 300k miles can't look cleaner than an engine with 100k miles without tearing off the heads.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2010
13:03:39
| RE: Restoring some power
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New injectors, the Bosch 4-hole design will help.And they're not that expensive. Try fivemotorsports.com.
Cleaning the combustion chambers with water is a good idea and good instructions posted above. You could also do the same with Seafoam.
You didn't mention if you had any mods or not but opening up the intake and exhaust will help. Either a cold air kit or an old fashioned Open element round air cleaner. And for exhaust, just a freer flowing, performance muffler. Not expensive and you can get freer flowing without being louder.
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