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cj
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
03:34:24

Subject: My poor 99 dakota .. help appreciated
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Well once my 1999 dakota 4x4 3.9 auto hit 80k its been pissing out... im 18 and dont have the money for any more service, but i have a few questions about my truck to help me out

1) yay my rear end ( diff) is whining...so i take it its gonna be some big $ to repair... anyone else with the problem ( a lot of you i hear...) have any hints to tipr hit me up.

2) when i turn left only my power steering makes a lot of noise and can feel the power steering within the steering wheen ( sorry cant discribe it well). just wondering if that ment anythnig

3) well there is a black cylinder shaped object that is RIGHT NEXT to the windshield washer fluid container.. what is it? i noticed when i opened the hood ( for question number 4 coming up..) that it was covered in moisture ( not like normal) after it was drivin 20 minutes.. but it didnt have a scent so i dont know what it is.. should i get it checked out as well?

4) my engine makes a constant pff.. pff.. pff.. when each cylinder fires, like a air compressing sound that started recently, as well as when i turn off the truck, it started to idle down like a lawn mower, ( when i turn the key to off, the engine "puts" off like a lawn mower a few times ) instead of turning emediatly off like it used to..

sorry for the long concern but if any of you have any help for any of the questions i would love it. I really appreciate your guys help..



Jag
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
07:07:04

RE: My poor 99 dakota .. help appreciated
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Go back to school...please.



Noltz
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
08:48:30

RE: My poor 99 dakota .. help appreciated
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Ignoring the useless posts of others, this forum is meant to help.

1) Rear Diff: Have you checked your diff fluid level? While there's little you can do once it's started making noise, you should at least check it. At 80K, you could safely change it but at least check. Any garage that does oil changes (not a quick-lube place) can check that for you & top it up for a very small fee (less than $10) with your next oil change.

2) Power Steering noise: Again, have you checked your power steering (PS) fluid level? Directions to check the PS fluid is in your owners manual, but again a garage can check that for you in about 60 seconds.

3) Is this cylinder steel, with two lines comming out the top? If so, this is part of your air conditioning (AC) system. Even if it's not turned on, the AC system runs from time to time when you have your vents in the truck turned to "Defrost". Condensation (water forming) on the outside of this can is normal. Next time you see it, touch it & see if it's cold - that'll confirm everything is okay.

4) The engine problems are called "drivability issues". The truck runs okay otherwise? Starts right up? Poor mileage? Are the spark plug wires original, or has the truck been tuned-up recently? The Pfft sound, like escaping air, is probably a vacuum or exhaust leak. Without being there, it would be impossible to try and diagnose.

Unfortunately, driving comes with expenses. Maintance is one of them. Don't let them all pile up on you or you'll end up selling the truck for much less than it's worth because you can't afford to fix 'em.

Let us know how it goes.





cj
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
15:14:16

RE: My poor 99 dakota .. help appreciated
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thanks noltz i very appreciate your help...question 2 and 3 seem to be fine as i ca nsee ( fluid levels r the first thnig i checked) but the rear diff fluid are fine, my friend and i checked, so i am gonig to take it in to see if a bearing is going out. and yes i did have an exhaust leak before right after the manifolds connected to the main pipe. so it wouldnt surprise me if it happened again somewhere else.. thanks



Mopar318
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
00:43:33

RE: My poor 99 dakota .. help appreciated
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Man, I wish those were the only "problems" I had...

Don't worry too much, I'm 19, and I really care about my truck, and do all of my own maintanance and repairs. One day you'll get were I am, and realize it's a truck and isn't always going to be perfect, but it will last, and you'll just be happy it's running.

In the meantime, Noltz gave you good and accurate advice.



cj
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
17:05:50

RE: My poor 99 dakota .. help appreciated
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thanks noltz and mopar318, appreciate it.. yeah its funny all the things i have done to the engine yet I am so clueless on other things and diagnosing... everything seems to be ok, i just installed new brakes ( pads and rotors) w/ my friend and the rear diff is the last thing on my list for this year , but I cant do that and plan on taking it in friday... hopefully its just a bearing about to go out or something.. thanks for your help fellas



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