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tad w
Unregistered
4/05/2001
13:43:51
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 Subject: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Besides changing the plugs (plan to change to autolite), what else needs to be done at a tuneup?? (Already have drop in K&N air filter)I want to be able to do it myself and not be overcharges by chrysler. what about the engine light? Will that come on eventially if i don't take it in for an "official" tune up? i just hate getting overcharged by dealers for simple things that I can do myself. I am a novice mechanic with basic tools.
2000 4.7L 4x4 quad cab auto tran
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14wntr
GenII
4/05/2001
15:51:55
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Gas filter, PCV. Cap and rotor, lube, check other fluid levels, rotate tires.
Take out dash and remove the light. :-)
Guns cause crime like flies cause garbage!
92 4x4 5.2L Auto 3"FM
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tad w
Unregistered
4/05/2001
16:12:01
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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cap and rotor?? Is this just a replacement or are their adjustments once the cap and rotor are replaced?? Where's the gas filter??
2000 4.7L quad cab 4x4 sport
14,000 miles
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joe
GenIII
4/05/2001
17:07:50
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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There are no cap and rotors or wires on the 4.7.
There are individual coils that sit on top of the plugs. When changing the plugs make sure the "O" ring on the coil is still good shape. You might want to change them any way.
2000 Quad Cab 4.7L
4x4 Sport
Fully loaded
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tad w
Unregistered
4/05/2001
17:17:58
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
so is a tune up basically changing the plugs?? Anything else? What is the gap setting for autolite plugs (3923)?
2000 4.7L quad cab 4x4 sport
14,000 miles
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MAR
GenI
4/05/2001
21:26:23
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Plug wires. Fuel system clean. Clean throtle bodies. Grease chassie and hinges. and if it runs good it is good. The light wont come on unless the computer detects somthing so if everything is working. YOu will be fine. Have a 99 durango 5.9 and never took it in for tune up. Only changed the oil and filters. It has 200000 on it and it still kills the chevs. See ya.
MaRty
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Jeff
Unregistered
4/05/2001
22:28:32
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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How do you get 200000 miles on a 99? Thats like 100,000 a Year!!! Or did you mean 20,000
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Tad_W
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
12:59:57
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
OK, have reached 30k miles. time for tune up. Do I really need to change the fuel filter and pvc valve at this amount of miles? If yes, where the heck are they on the engine????
2000 4.7L QC Sport 4x4 auto tran
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Dr.Q
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
13:28:27
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Not to bust on you dude, but didn't that fine piece of American metal come with an owner's manual?
Q
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
13:30:47
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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The fuel filter is in the gas tank so you would have to drop the tank. So i would suspect your not going to do that. Plus you dont need to do that. PVC takes about 2 secs to change but you dont really need to but i would.
Remember if your going to top up tranny fluid only use mopar ATF 4 anyother type will hurt the chrysler trannys..
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andrew
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
20:28:34
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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I have a 93 dakota with the 318 and I have a filter on my frame rail. Does that mean I also have one inside my tank or is that only fot the newer Dakotas?
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Zaurusman
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
23:59:18
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Tad_W, to add to Mar's post, it's also less expensive than lunch. It's off a valve cover; plastic elbow with a little valve or flap in it on my 3.9 - passenger side. Probably different on yours, just to complicate things. If yours is at least similar to mine, you can follow the single hose coming out of each valve cover to a 90-degree bend. One goes into the air hat to pull in fresh, filtered air, and the other goes into ... the block if I recall. Pop the latter open at the tight bend and your PCV valve should be there. Should be very close to the valve cover. Buy one first, and you'll know what you're looking for.
andrew, that means you're lucky, I'd think. Of course, on the later ones they're "extended life" items - like the upper ball joints I replaced at 50K miles, or the fuel level sensor in the tank that ran me out of gas a few weeks ago at 59. I figure I might as well replace my uncloggable fuel filter while I'm in there, as soon as I can find someone foolish enough to help me drop my gasoline vapor-filled tank... :-)
--
Zaurusman
'98 RC Red Sport V6 5spd 3.21 15x8's
http://www.tiborsrealm.com/Dakota/Index.htm
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Tad_W
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
11:36:31
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
In response to DR. Q, Yes, I have read my manual that's why I know it is tuneup time. But, many times when I ask questions on this webpage, I get answers from people who mean well but don't know what they are talking about. For example, someone mentioned changing the cap, rotor, and plug wires and there is no cap and rotor and regular plug wires. Also, someone mentioned - change the fuel filter and now I know it is in the tank and I won't attempt to change that. Another reason for my post is the grief dealers cause to people dumber than me who are willing to pay the $500, $300, or $100 quoted for a tune up. Go ahead and call the dealer and be entertained by the different levels of "complete tune ups" they will say they do. THey want $100 to change the plugs and reset the computer. If you read this webpage enough, we should all know how to reset the computer. I post questions to expose my lacking mechanical skills but I know my question will also help others who read this.
I am using schedule A of the owners manual which says change spark plugs and change trans fluid at 30k miles along with other things I have already completed. THanks for the help y'all.
2000 QC Sport 4x4 4.7 auto tran
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CB
Dodge Dakota
10/21/2001
12:45:11
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
I don't think anyone has provided the correct location of the PCV Valve on the 4.7 engine. It is on the side of the Oil Fill Tube. It does not pull right out. It must be rotated about 90 degrees to unlock it before you pull it out.
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Knobbyman
Dodge Dakota
10/21/2001
13:41:57
| RE: How do tune up myself??
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks CB .. I was wondering if anyone was going to post the correct location. I was about to go to the parking lot and look for it.
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Jimbo
Dodge Dakota
10/21/2001
18:07:51
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
About greasing the chassis, I took my Dak to the DC dealer and asked about a lube and was told that it wasn't needed on my truck because everything was sealed. Anybody know anything about this?
2001 CC 4.7 5-Speed 3.55 2WD SLT+
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/21/2001
21:39:56
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Yeah unforturatly most of the stuff is sealed and you cant grease it. There are a few grease fittings that you can pump up but thats it. Its a good idea to buy some spray grease and spray it all over the suspention joints. If the ball joints ever break on you replace them with MOOG or somthing with a lot of fittings.
TAD_W Here are some pointers on how to make your truck run really good long.
-Every 6000km change oil and lube chassie
-Every 50000km change spark plugs.
-At 70000 go to the dealer and get a tranny service.
-And inbetween make sure the motor is clean buy giving it an engine shampoo.
Change little things everynow and then like PCV valve.
And twice a month top of fluids.
But thats it. Otherwise dont mess with it.
Dont take it to the dealer unless its somthing out of your hands. Thats were most problems start and no the engine light wont come on unless a trouble code sets it of. The computer wont need reseting unless a problem comes up.
To reset the computer simply disconnect the neg battary cable and tune key to START (Not run) And hold it in that position for 30secs. Then reconnect the bat cable and thats it. But you wont need to do that unless trouble is spotted or performance mods are added.
Dont fiddle with the engine and dont change or touch anything else till it breaks.
Fuel filter. Dont change this till it clogs or until for some reason your tank needs to be droped. If you use high quality gas it might never need to be changed.
Use a good oil Change to a syntechtic oil if money provides.
Dont use any oil additive you see in the stores and dont use fram filters.
Allow for 2 min warm up on the inital start in the morning. 5 in really cold weather.
JUST DRIVE IT.
-
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nbfdexp901
GenIII
10/21/2001
22:13:45
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Mar...
WTF is with this "km" $hit...??? Were in America here! hehe....j/k.
Just out of curiousity, why do you say not to use FRAM filters? I have been using FRAM on all of my vehicles, and my father has as well...no problems. Just need an explanation here...thanx!
Brad Sippel
Black '98 SLT 3.9 V6
Thunderform with 500W Legacy Amp
K&N Filtercharger, Dual Exhaust with Rhino Muffler
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ILLI RT
Dodge Dakota
10/22/2001
14:07:28
| RE: How do tune up myself??
IP: Logged
Message:
I'd like to know about the fram filters too please.
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/22/2001
14:50:08
| RE: How do tune up myself??
IP: Logged
Message:
First off. Im only talking about the oil filter. Especily the one with the suregrip orange.
They are built like garbage. They use card board insead of aluminum. There anti drain back valve leaks so when you start up in the morning for the first few secs your engine gets no oil.
Basiclly there quality is only suited to go on a ford.
Some really good filters are
1. ACDELCO, K&N, WIXS, Mobil 1, BOSCH.
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/22/2001
14:52:07
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
Also the reason your father might have had good luck with them is because this fram low quality thing is new. THey used to be very good. Plus engines from the past were not as demanding as the new ones with all the emmitions and crap.
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Tad_W
Dodge Dakota
10/22/2001
16:20:45
| RE: How do tune up myself??
IP: Logged
Message:
Mar, thanks for your help. I appreciate people who really have the answers that are specific to Dakotas. Afterall, that's what this website is for.
2000 Sport 4x4 QC 4.7L auto tran
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swerrrr
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
15:47:46
| RE: How do tune up myself??
IP: Logged
Message:
FRAM IS CRAP
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
21:48:46
| RE: How do tune up myself??
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Message:
I have a 2K Dak and a 2002 Dak both have the 4.7 automatic, replace plugs easy as pie,just reinstall new plugs with some Anti Sieze compound on threads, this is a must when instaling steel into aluminum. fuel filter good for 100,ooo miles located inside gas tank. actually there are two of them inside. pvc is easy look on sticker underhood shows where it is located. cost is 12.00 dealer only at the moment. remove the TB to clean, reuse the rubber seal torque bolts, be carefull to not overtorqe, spraying TB cleaner inside TB while engine runs doesnt do a good enough job and some of the cleaner sits inside manifold and deteriorates the gaskets.
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Bruce P
Dodge Dakota
1/05/2002
21:07:05
| FUEL FILTER
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Message:
As mentioned above, the fuel filter(s) are within the gas tank and are part of the fuel pump assembly.
According to factory shop manual, the computer will flag a faulure code when (if) the fuel filter needs attention.
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