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Dodge Dakota: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
cowtownkid
Changing Oil is a pain with the 4WD with skid plates. There's an access hole for the plug and the filter about 4" diameter, but of course neither will drain without also draining into the skid plate(the oil plug) or the front 4.7 access cover(the filter) and onto a portion of the front suspension. I can get around the skid plate problem by removing it, but what about that front access cover. Admittedly, I was afraid to pop off those plastic connectors(I didn't want to break them). It also may be that there's some tool out there(i.e. a special funnel?) that fits into the access hole to allow normal draining. Anyone out there got any ideas or experiences? Thanks in advance.
is used specifically for those plastic buttons) but did not remove the skid plate. In retrospect, they are sorry that the skid plate was not removed
as clean up took more time than the removal. The technician made a funnel out of a gallon plastic windshield washer fluid jug. Worked okay more or less. It's a messy job at best, since the OEM filter was installed by "superthumb" and it is a difficult task at best. This is on a hoist, and I hate to think of this job as being accomplished in the driveway.
Bookitty
loud that the engine 'sounds' as if it is
over-reving for about a mile (or until about 2500 RPM is acheived long enough to 'disengauge' the durn thing. ). (And I have the manual xmission so I KNOW it is not the automatic making the sound.)
THe electric fan is hard to hear from inside the
truck. Are you SURE that you were listening to the
proper fan?
I just do not want you to head down the wrond
"roar road" (automatic xmissin)
edwardqc: Hope this helps.
Mailman
A friend at work has the same truck with a full-time transfer case. His mileage has just jumped to the 15-16 mpg range with 10,000 miles on it. Both were delivered within 1 month of each other (his older). He said it just started getting better for no reason????
Monday I take it in to have safety recall fixed for the transmission (overflow hose may be pinched causing fluid to escape out the filler tube). I will be showing them the posts about this subject and see what the response is.
Let you know what happens.
Before 8K miles, If I got better than 170 miles between FULL and HALF tank... I considerd myself lucky.
Today, I regularly get over 200 miles before half a tank and over 310 miles before the fuel light comes on. (Spirited driving included!)
I too am curious about the FLASH. Clearly, there is room for improvement in my rigs present programming. (There are specific conditions under which I KNOW it will stall!)
I had a '92 dodge van w/a 318 & it for the 1st 100 - 150 yds it growled every time it was started on a cool - cold morning until I sold it w/150K miles. Even did it after a xmsn overhaul @ 115K miles. No problems w/the vehicle or xmsn because of the noise. I just got used to it & took it easy until warm up.
OIL CHANGE WITH skid plates - the best solution I found (and use) was to go to
http://www.fumotovalve.com/ and order their oil change valve. (I think the one I ordered is the F106N - you also have to order the "adaptor" because of the shape of the oil pan)
I ordered the one with the nipple ("N" designation)& it works great. just put a piece of 3/8" rubber hose on the nipple & drain into the pan with a 1/4 turn of the lever. VERY NICE!!! and nothing hangs low enough to wory about "dragging" it off on the ground. The company works over the net or by fax & they are very good to work with - I am very pleased & I do recommend them.
Hope this hepls
Cowtown Aggie
I had a '92 dodge van w/a 318 & it for the 1st 100 - 150 yds it growled every time it was started on a cool - cold morning until I sold it w/150K miles. Even did it after a xmsn overhaul @ 115K miles. No problems w/the vehicle or xmsn because of the noise. I just got used to it & took it easy until warm up.
OIL CHANGE WITH skid plates - the best solution I found (and use) was to go to
http://www.fumotovalve.com/ and order their oil change valve. (I think the one I ordered is the F106N - you also have to order the "adaptor" because of the shape of the oil pan)
I ordered the one with the nipple ("N" designation)& it works great. just put a piece of 3/8" rubber hose on the nipple & drain into the pan with a 1/4 turn of the lever. VERY NICE!!! and nothing hangs low enough to wory about "dragging" it off on the ground. The company works over the net or by fax & they are very good to work with - I am very pleased & I do recommend them.
Hope this helps!
Cowtown Aggie
it has changed the shift points of the trans. and
the speedometer is off 2-3 miles per hour. My dodge dealer says on the 3.9 you can not adjust this by the computer. They say you have to change
a gear in the trans. and my truck is as close as
they can get it. Does any one know if all this true? Can anything be done?
If others have seen this and there is a remedy, please post.
any recommendations on ext warranty is it worth it or not? thanks
Boy does this steam me. If they have a recall, how about getting the parts they need before giving people appointments? I wasted half a day screwing around with rides to and from work and all that, and now will have to do it again! And from the recall, I understood the service to be the shortening of a hose. What parts???
Negherbon Dodge in Oakland, CA service dept. has done this type of thing every time I go in for service. They ask the problem, than give me an appointment, then just confirm the problem, and send me away. Is it a ruse so they can bill DC for more warranty jobs? First it was with the Wheel grind TSB (still not fixed, after 3 visits, parts are on order for a TSB that's been around longer than my truck), then the loose weatherstripping (3 visits to clear that up) and now the recall. I'm spending too much time with these a**h***s.
Sorry for the venting post, but everyone might want to remind your service writers to have parts on hand before they give you an appointment. Especially with a recall that the mailer says might start fires...
Be safe & good luck.
Anyone know a good dealer near Oakland, CA?
Ben
dealer that really steams me it would be this!
EVERY time, they have insisted that I "bring it
in" before they would order any parts. I know what
is broken and tell them what part is needed....
"sorry, you have to "bring it in" so we can get the
serial numbers" Those BONEHEADS had my serial
numbers in their computer BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY.
Even for a burned out HEADLAMP BULB that I
replaced myself during a trip was troublesome. They
insisted that I re-install burned out bulb and
make an appointment so they could replace it under
warantee.
and they are the OEM manufacturer, and a private underwriter who sells after market types. The extended warranty is nothing more than an insurance policy. Another roll of the dice. I have a 7 year/75,000 Daimler/Chrysler extended warranty with a $100.00 deductible. My cost was $689.00 at time of purchase but reflects a discount offered to offset my problems with the ordering of my Quad. When my wife purchased her 4 Runner, I showed them my check entry (without divulging the reason for the discount) and after some consulting with the general manager they matched it. Do I think that it has merit, yes and no. Yes, if you encounter problems, no, if you don't. It's like buying blackjack insurance when the dealer has a face card showing.
Bookitty
I was really surprised to see your post on the transmission vent hose recall. As a previous post of mine mentioned, I just had that fixed on my Dakota. Very simple procedure for me. I called the dealer, told them I received a notice, they gave me a time to come in, I went, they shortened the hose, the end.
Sounds like you may have to find a new service center. Those guys don't know which end is up the way it sounds.
Best of luck in the future
Max
I took mine in Thursday at 3:00 was out at 3:15. Took 3 minutes to put it on the lift 3 minutes to lower it only to realize he could do it from under the hood 5 minutes to B/S.
I stood there and watched the Tech. clip 3" off the tranny hose vent tube. Re clip it and send me on my way.
Sounds like a crock to me, what gives??
Allen-
"Forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Bookitty
a loaner for vehicles in the shop for more than 24
hours or under exceptional circumstances. There are 100,000 mile plans and plans with a greater or no deductible. This plan seemed to suit my needs based on miles driven, etc.
Bookitty
Carl
Carl
I think blubelle was scheduled for this same problem to be fixed on 9/11.
Any news?
Yank2 also had a msg about not letting them move the rear end because of the whine problem. Yank2, did you get the bed aligned properly?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. This is the best site to visit for info.
They also corrected a "sittin' too high" tranny dipstick that had rubbed through the paint on the inside of the hood.
Aligning the box shouldn't be any big deal. Good luck with yours steel45!
fat_fenders
I'll also take a look at the oil stick height. Seems like such a simple thing for DC to measure the space under the hood, doesn't it?
I am so in love with this truck. I've washed it twice in one week. It's black over silver so you know the problems with keeping black clean.
My wife and I are heading up to the local watering hole for a couple of drinks. I'm waiting for dusk so I can drive with the parking lifhts on. Yeah I'm vain, so what, these are neat trucks! There aren't enough o's in COOL to describe a Dakota!!
Good luck with your truck steel. I'm sure it will be fine when your local 5* is done.
fat_fenders
("Recalls" are ONLY for safety reasons, while "TSB"s are for all other items)
HERE ARE THE SB's;
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/servicemmy1.cfm
HERE ARE THE RECALLS;
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recmmy1.cfm
Some of the info on NHTSA is poorly logged into the database and must be "coaxed" out with intelligent searches.
(HINT: use the RIGHT side of the search screen with the SUBMIT QUERY button.)
Everyone could improve their data-mining skills. You will be rewarded with oceans of information. The secret is to understand the search engine and what it actually 'looks' for.
I know that some performance cars come with synthetic in them new, but I just don't think that the benefit is worth the risk on very low mileage vehicles.
catalytic converter replaced on their dodge dakota pickup? I have only 35,000 miles on my
pickup and i have had my catalytic converter
replaced 2x's and each time i've had to wait
atleast a month per time for them to get one into
stock. Th reason i was given was that it was on
back order and the supplier couldnt keep up with
the orders they had. I wanted to know if this was
a cronic problem with that years model and wether
or not dodge had made any plans on fixing this problem ? I have written dodge but havent gotten a response yet. I would really appreciate your
input. thanks
I will appreciate any words of wisdom.
Carl
I am not aware of any 'scientific' data on the effectiveness of fuel additives. (except de-icer which can save one from being stranded on a COLD COLD day.)
I have tested injectors. (actually removed and observed the spray-patterns) after many thousands of miles and have NEVER found a "cleaner" to improve a poor injector.
Carl
I realize that not everyone has access to this stuff.I beleive Sunoco and Exxon may also have this 'feature' in their hi-grade fuels. Sunoco used to have a FILTER on each hose. (Have not been to Sunoco station lately, perhaps somone else can confirm)
I am NOT saying that ALL hi-test will help to clean your fuel system. Think about WHERE the crud comes from in the first place....THE FUEL (Poor handling, dirty trucks, pooly maintained ungerground tanks...etc)
The worst fuel problem I ever had was on my motorcycle... I bought fuel from a no-name station near a lake....I barely made it home and found a 1/2 inch of water in the fuel tank. I suspect their underground tanks were leaking.