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Nammy
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2005
15:39:33
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 Subject: 4.7L Idle Fluctuation and Stalling
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I have a 2002 Dakota Quad Cab 2WD with the 4.7L engine. I'm having similar idle and stalling problems that have been discussed here in the past, but I don't recall ever seeing fuel grades mentioned. After reading previous posts, the general consensus seems to be sensor problems. I had my truck serviced by a Dodge dealership at 30,000 miles (I am now up to roughly 37,000 miles), and I was not able to duplicate the problem for a mechanic. Given my description of the problem, they did clean the fuel injection system, but that didn't resolve the issue. I later discovered that the truck would display varying symptoms based on the grade of fuel used. With 87 octane, the engine idle will fluctuate regularly, and it will stall almost every time I stop at a traffic light or a stop sign. With 89 octane, the engine idle will still fluctuate quite regularly, but rarely will it stall at a stop. Finally, the engine runs normally on 93 octane.
I would like to know how or why the different fuel grades are producing different results, and if there is something simple that I can do to get it to run normally on 87 octane fuel. I'm not engine savvy by any means, but logic tells me that because the engine runs normally on 93 octane fuel, I don't have a sensor problem (or any kind of problem for that matter.) I feel that I would be wasting my time and money with the dealership should I try to pursue this any further with them.
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davec
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2005
16:03:59
| RE: 4.7L Idle Fluctuation and Stalling
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Doesn't sound like a sensor to me either. I've never seen severe idle fluctuation and stalling due to a different grade of fuel.
Where do you buy your gas? The only thing I can think is that the 87 and 89 holding tanks might be contaminated. Do you notice any smoke or unusual odors from the exhaust? If it were me I would analyze a fuel sample. If you take it back to the dealer, have them pull a sample and check it for contamination such as water, dirt, and diesel fuel.
Dave
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Nammy
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2005
16:44:38
| RE: 4.7L Idle Fluctuation and Stalling
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I regularly fill up at the same station most of the time. I have been running on 93 octane for some time now, and I can't remember if I got that tank of 87 at my regular station or not. However, my wife regularly fills up her Stratus with 87 at the same station and I've never noticed any problems with it.
I never considered the fuel itself as the cause of the problem, though. I might try another tank of 87 to see what happens since it has been a while, but I'm almost afraid to.
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davec
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2005
16:57:59
| RE: 4.7L Idle Fluctuation and Stalling
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I would try another station. Maybe by chance you got stuck with a couple bad tanks from your regular station. It really is the only thing that makes sense. Sensors don't know what octane you're running. If changing the fuel fixes the problem, it has to be the fuel.
I can't come up with anything but fuel contamination for this one.
Dave
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Nammy
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2005
17:37:49
| RE: 4.7L Idle Fluctuation and Stalling
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I'll try that.
Thanks Dave!
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Kowalski
GenIII
10/11/2005
17:54:45
| RE: 4.7L Idle Fluctuation and Stalling
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Got to second the bad fuel. Higher octane fuel is actually slower to burn; that's how it resists knocking. Shouldn't make your engine idle any better.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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