Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
10:50:14 - 03/29/2024

General Dakota Board
FromMessage
Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/14/2002
14:23:00

Subject: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Has anyone ever used JB Weld to help seal their belly pan to the manifold. I just replaced the gasket and it still leaks. Worse now than before. I do not want to keep doing this job over and over. I used the Felpro gasket kit and a good amount of sealant and followed the TSB on all torque specs. Any other suggestions?



Mark M.
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/14/2002
14:52:21

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Simpleman96,

I personally think your idea with JB Weld is a mistake. Once that stuff is hard if a small piece would happen to break off it's going to get sucked right into the combustion chamber. I'm getting ready to do my first one this weekend. I have a 98 5.2 with 85k and the bellypan just started leaking. I'm just going to use the gasket with copper RTV sealant. I'm also going to check for warpage on the bellypan and the manifold using a measureing bar and feeler gauges. If they are warped then they're both making a trip to the machine shop. It sounds to me like maybe you have some warpage assuming you got it sealed correctly in the first place. There are several people that frequent this web site that are much better mechanics then me. CW and Bernd Ratch would be my choices for advise. Good luck I hope you get it fixed.



McClane
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/14/2002
17:35:40

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Forget about replacing/fixing the belly pan gasket. If you have the 5.2/5.9 engine, look into purchasing the M1 intake manifold. The M1 has no belly/plenum pan thus no belly pan gasket to worry about.

If you have the V6, look at Hughes Engines for their ported intake manifolds. I am positive that on their website they state that the belly pan is welded to the manifold, thus no gasket to worry about there either.

My belly pan gasket on my Dak 5.2L was leaking, and I was considering a belly pan gasket fix. After much research, I felt it was a better to install the M1 rather than risk the gasket failing again.



drtswinger
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/15/2002
02:08:45

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
how do you know if its leaking?



McClane
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/15/2002
10:51:51

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
From my personal experience, I looked down the TB, and at the bottom of the plenum pan, I saw oil on one side of the pan. That is a good indication that the gasket has failed.



Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/15/2002
14:45:47

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Thanks for the input. I am just venting my frustrations with crazy ideas. I am running the 3.9 and cannot utilize the benifits of the M1. I went to hughes engs. and saw that they do not weld the pan to the manifold, but I will get the reenforcement kit this time.



McClane
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/15/2002
15:28:34

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Here is Hughes Engine's description of the intake manifold (http://www.hughesengines.com/www/hughesengines/general/intakes/magnum_intake.asp) :
"The intake is supplied bare, with an oil shield tack welded to the plenum base plate."
You may want to contact them for more info on that.

I've read various posts stating that one reason the belly pan gasket fails is because of the heat involved which causes warpage in the belly pan. So just replacing the belly pan gasket may not be enough because the pan is already warped which creates an imperfect contact surface between the plenum pan and manifold.

Other methods you may want to pursue is :
- puchase a new belly pan or have a machine shop make a new belly pan for you similiar to http://www.buymopar.com/magnum/magnum.html

- TIG weld (??) the belly pan to the manifold. This involves prepping the manifold properly by ensuring all oil is removed from the manifold or else the weld won't hold (expensive !).



joel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/15/2002
15:52:46

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Perhaps the pan is warped and if it is, that is your problem.

Joel



joel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/15/2002
15:54:58

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Never mind my response above. :) I just now realized your probably using forced induction and that is why its leaking.

Joel



Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/15/2002
16:09:16

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Before I get into this job again, let me ask you this. I have a 96 3.9 that I picked up an airhat from a 97, but did not hook up the crankcase breather hose to the intake. I let the hose hang down and rest on the wheel well. would not connecting the hose into the intake cause some oil to get into the intake through the pcv valve? It seems like there is a good bit of mist in the pan around the pcv port on the manifold. PCV is new as well as all of the sensors. The engine is running very strong and smooth but I get sh&%y gas milage (8-10mpg). Ive had milage problems ever since I replaced the pump. Just put in the FMS injectors the other day and am letting the PCM relearn the fuel curve. What do you think???



McClane
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/15/2002
16:19:57

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
That is a good question. I recently purchased an airhat from a 1999 Dakota 5.2L for my 1995 Dakota 5.2L as well. I did a test fit and found out that the air breather hose will not reach the intake on the airhat. I have decided either to purchase a longer hose or buy one of those KN crank case filters.



Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/16/2002
02:24:12

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
To fix this, yesterday I used a piece of garden hose to reconnect them. I will watch them for a few days and see if oil still seems to be geting there.



McClane
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/18/2002
11:24:01

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Simpleman96
If you can, could you post an update ?



Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

3/18/2002
13:01:11

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Well here she goes. I just started to pull the top end off again. I susspect I may be leaking coolant into the intake as well(I have to keep filling my overflow bottle up, and it seems to be a little to much water coming from the exhaust). I ordered extra gaskets the first time I did this just in case I had to do it again. I will do my best to keep it from happening this time. I wont use any Permatex on the belly pan gasket, Ill use just the gasket alone this time. I hope for the best.



McClane
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/18/2002
15:40:52

RE: JB Weld on Belly Pan Gasket???
IP: Logged

Message:
Simpleman96
I don't know if this is worth anything to you, but before purchasing the M1, I asked a speed shop regarding the plenum pan gasket fix.

I also inquired about Permatex The Right Stuff, and the guy just shuddered and told me that he did try that product, but without much success. He just sticks with FelPro gaskets because he knows they work and they work well.

Have you looked at the Hughes Engine plenum pan re-enforcement kit ? What about getting someone to weld the plenum pan to the intake manifold (expensive, but worth it in the long run) ?

Wish you luck !



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.