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David
Dodge Dakota
7/05/2001
08:50:06
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 Subject: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
As I slowly purchase all the tuneup parts for my 2000 Dakota 3.9L, I've been spending a lot of time with my head under the hood "scoping" out what I'll need to do to change the plugs, cap, rotor, wires and PCV valve (which I haven't found yet--service manual at $90 is a bit too pricey for me at the moment).
I can see already that plug #5 (driver side near the firewall) is going to be the toughest plug to get at. Any suggested tools to make this plug a little easier to remove/install?
The cap and rotor look a little more intimidating. Not much room at all to work with and its way back behind the engine. I can't even see what kind of bolts/screws holds the cap down and I also hear the Borg Warner cap is a little thicker than the stock and that much harder to install. Any advice/suggestions from the seasoned Dal veterans here?
Comments are most appreciated as always!
David
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Bernd
Gen III
 
7/05/2001
09:06:10
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
David,
$5 is a pain but can be easily removed with a standard 5/8" Spark Plug Socket and a flex-head ratchet. On the BW cap, no...they are not any thicker than the factory ones and take the same amount of effort to replace. The easiest tool to use for the cap is a long phillips-head screwdriver.
On the service manual, check out: http://www.alldatadiy.com
Online FSM's and much less expensive. (Only draw back is that it's online...but you can print the pertinent pages whenever you want.)
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged @ 10#
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Zaurusman
Dodge Dakota
7/05/2001
11:33:15
|  RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
PCV valve's in the hose coming off the passenger valve cover if I recall, FYI. Goes into the engine from there.
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DAK2
Gen III
7/05/2001
12:09:12
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
Be prepared. The first time I pulled the plugs
on DAK1 and DAK2 they seemed to be overtorqued.
I had to use a small pipe on the ratchet handle to get enough leverage to break the seal.Also
put a little antisieze compound on the threads
of the new plugs they will torque down better
and you'll be able to remove them easier in the
future.A #2 phillips about 4 to 5 inches long
will work best to remove and install the dist. cap
Y2K DAK 3.9L 5 Spd OS/2 Keeps going&going&going
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David
Dodge Dakota
7/05/2001
16:49:29
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
Thank you, kind gentlemen, for your information. Now if only my arms were a foot longer, I could get at the cap a lot easier :-)
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Lattimer
Dodge Dakota
7/05/2001
17:24:03
|  RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
When I did my tuneup, I replaced my throttle body atthe same time. Boy was the cap easier to change with the TB out of the way. I would go so far as to say I would buy a gasket and pull the TB loose from the base the next time I do a tune up. I have really large hands, and I need all the space I can get.
Shawn
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David
Dodge Dakota
7/05/2001
21:36:24
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
I noticed that, too, but I'll admit that I'm not yet ready to tackle a TB removal. Getting the air hat and air assembly out of the way should help a good deal for plug removal on the passenger side, but the cap and rotor look like sardines in a can. It would be nice to be able to remove the hood for that matter so I could squeeze in a little closer to the back of the engine.
Incidentally, I'm 6'3" and keep hitting my head on the plastic grill. I keep telling myself to remember to crouch a little once I get my head out of the engine, but inevitably, I still forget and--whack! Fortunately, it's plastic :-)
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intense99dak
Dodge Dakota
7/05/2001
22:37:53
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
David,
I just changed my cap and rotor and it is tight back there. I found it easiest to remove all the spark plug wires and slide the cap sideways towards the pass. side (under the heater hose). If you're not comfortable with removing all the wires from the cap then take some masking tape and mark each wire (L front, L rear and so on).There's enough room to slide the cap and wires out.
I also found it worked best for me (I'm 6') if I knelt on the radiator support and leaned in, resting one arm/hand on the wiper cowl. You can see right down and it takes the guess work out of if your screwdriver is on the screw or not.
Lastly something that wasn't mentioned above is dialectric grease. A dab on each end of the plug wires will make them come off a lot easier the next time and will also help with potential moisture problems.
Chuck Robbins
'99 Sport
www.intense99dak.com
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Lattimer
Dodge Dakota
7/06/2001
15:33:31
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
Excellent point from intense99dak. Another good hint is when you are putting plugs back in, use an old discarded plug boot from an old set of wires. It makes starting the plug much easier, especially if your truck has the little sheet metal tubes guarding the plugs. Incidentally, those little tubes long since vanished on my truck. Too much of a pain to work around.
Also, I have the same problem with my head hitting the grill. I'm 6'2", and I'm completely bald, so I don't have any cushioning up there!!
Also by the way, the PCV valve on the 2000 3.9L is on the right hand valve cover looking from the front of the truck. Mine popped in and out with no hassle. Not to mention the replacement was like $2.99 at Auto Zone.
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David
Dodge Dakota
7/06/2001
16:44:53
| RE: Suggested tools/advice 3.9 tuneup...
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Message:
Just had to pop in and say another thanks to all! You guys have been extremely helpful and really do appreciate it!
Take care now,
David
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