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Andrew
Unregistered


3/06/2001
01:04:41

Subject: New to Dakota's
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I'm looking at buying a 99 Dak Sport 5.2L auto, and just came back from test driving it, and have a few questions I was hopeing the experts could help me with.

1) Is it normal for that motor to "ping" so much under acceleration? (If so, is there a fix?)

2) The front diff has a vent tube that was blowing oil, just to the left of the rad, the mechanic said it was due to no warmup before driving (I'm in Canada, it's cold!)and the front diff will build up press. due to the oil being so thick, it will hold it in untill it warms up and then blows it, makeing a big mess under the hood. Fact or Fiction?? Is this for real? Or is there a bigger problem here.

3) Why in 4 HI does it claim to be in part time 4WD, according to the dash light?? What does this mean??

4) Any other common things to beware of on a 99? (Is it just me or is underbody rust a big problem on these trucks??)

Thanks for your help in advance.




95DakotaV8
GenII
 User Profile

3/06/2001
05:37:31

RE: New to Dakota's
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Pinging, not too normal but is fixable with spark plug changes, etc.

Front diff does not build pressure b/c it is cold, it builds pressure when the ring/pinion are turning and the fluid is spinning around, that diff is probably overfilled or the vent is partially plugged, the vent hose is supposed to relieve the pressure so that is not normal.

Part time 4wd is correct b/c you have to engage the front axle via the transfer case. Full time means the front wheels are always powered. Part time the fronts are spinnig but the Transmission to Tcase connection is not engaged.

If the underbody rust is surface rust, no big deal, I'm from Colorado so experienced lots of snow and surface rust. Fixed that with a stiff brush and black spray paint.

Kevin Rants
95 Dakota CC SLT 4x4, 5.2L, 5spd, 3.90 rear end


Andrew
Unregistered


3/06/2001
19:55:06

RE: New to Dakota's
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Thanks for the input Kevin.

As for the "pinging", I see that there are a few TSB's out by Dodge for this (#090699, 180600, 180600A, 180600B, 090500,) anyone know what they involve? And does it work?

There is also a TSB for the oil vent from the diff case, #030499, would this take care of the problem?
The mechanic said that when the oil is cold, and therefore thicker, it can't flow up the tube, therefore plugging the vent until it warms up and thins out, but by this time it has but up enough pressure that it really lets go, instead of slowly releasing. Is this a line of $%^& or what?
I said that the vent tube shouldn't have oil in it to begin with, hence why it is a vent tube.
I see in the service history it just had "seal, rear output shaft" and "oil seal, drive pinion" done. What seal's are they refering to and could this have caused them to have to change the front diff fluid and possibly overfilled it?

Any help would be appreciated, as it is very tough buying a used truck these days.

Thanks again.



Nick
DakotaEnthusiast
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3/06/2001
20:07:15

RE: New to Dakota's
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If your a total jerk, its quite easy to buy a used teruck. Bought mine a few months ago, took off 1K on their no haggle price. Just be firm, and be willing to walk out.

Mine doesn't ping really that much. Its a great truck. But if you have any misgivings about this praticular one, there will always be another. Be sure to try and grab service reports of what they did when they brought her in. And most importantly invest the 100 bucks in a very through inspection.

And what I did was dig around the onwers manual, and the orginal pink slip fell out. Happened to have the guys number on it and I called him. It was leased, and he was very sad to let it go. Said he took good care of it, even used synthitic oil. WHich on a leased truck told me, it was taken care of.

Good Luck.

I run 87 (because in COlorado all we have is 85, 87, & 91)

1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2-V-8
Duel Exhaust, Growler Mufflers

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