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18:58:53 - 04/25/2024
V6 Dakotas
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DaveRS575
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2004
14:16:46
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 Subject: Very High Milage 94 V6
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This is my first post here so bear with me if I am asking a stupid question...
I just recently purchased a 1994 Dakota Sport Magnum 4WD V6 Manual trans, no frills (No ac/no power windows, locks, etc)
I think I got a great deal on it ($1400 bucks) and it is in very good condition inside and out. It runs and idles fine and seems to have good power for a V6 and doesn't leak a drop of anything.
Here's the downside... It has 189,000 miles...
The previous owner had NO information for me on the maintanance of the vehicle whatsoever, and knew nothing if the previous owners (Carfax showed about 7 previous owners)
I am very diligent when it comes to tune ups, fluids, etc, but wondered if any of you had some good information on the weak points that I may want to look into right away, and maybe any tips or hints as to what to look out for and where I can gain performance, milage, and overall strength of the vehicle.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. I will search the forum here for more details as well, but thought some of you might have some wisdom to share.
Thanks in advance!
Dave
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DaveRS575
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2004
14:42:55
| RE: Very High Milage 94 V6
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PS: Any resources that would be helpful would be great too if you know of any!
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J and J Auto
GenII
9/08/2004
16:54:40
| RE: Very High Milage 94 V6
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Do a search on this board and you will find every
thing you want to know
The only thing I would worrie about with that
many miles would be the timing chain. If you bend
down like your looking under the front bumper
while its running and hear a rattle changes are it
was never replaced.
You also will need to install the chain tensioner
you will find directions on this on this sites
home page under how to's
Larry
J&J Auto
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chain rattln
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2004
17:33:54
| RE: Very High Milage 94 V6
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If you do hear the chain rattling, what are the consequences of not changing it? Is it just annoying or will it break (I've never heard of a timing 'chain' breaking, only timing belts)? If the engine seems to be running fine and the 'rattley' chain is not stretched enough to throw the timing off, should it be changed? Its a fair amount of time and effort to just fix a little rattle, but if its more serious I would like to know.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2004
17:50:41
| RE: Very High Milage 94 V6
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It's also a helluva lot of work to either fix it on the side of the road or have it towed so you can fix it at home. These chains are supposed to be changed at approx. 50,000 miles, but seldom are since they hold on much longer than that...unlike belts. By the time 50K rolls around, there's more than enough slack to deflect the chain 1/4 inch, which, according to the books, means it needs replacing. Most often, the chain will "jump" timing, usually on startup, or during engine revs. On statup, it'll usually hit a few times, then quit, and won't run well, or at all on further attempt to start it. But if you're winding out on an onramp, it'll jump and disaster will strike. This happened to me once with my dad's RamCharger 318 with the plastic-toothed timing gear. That thing jumped and it was a sickening 13 miles home as I listened to the horrible noises that 318 made. I was very easy on the throttle to avoid upsetting it further. It was BAD! Every piston had valve outlines in the carbon, all the pushrods were bent, 3 rockers were pierced by said pushrods. I replaced all the damaged parts, as well as the water pump (one badly-timed disaster was enough). Luckily, the valves weren't bent, and the cam was okay. She fired up, and, on the plus side, with a tight valvetrain, mileage went from 11-12 mpg to 15-16 mpg. Replace the frickin' gear and chain already.
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daveo
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2004
21:26:47
| RE: Very High Milage 94 V6
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gen1dak is right on! Change the timing chain if it rattles. Chances are it WILL break. Mine broke and did severe damage, so bad I finally bought another used engine to put in it.
Better safe than sorry.
Daveo
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what?
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2004
17:21:15
| RE: Very High Milage 94 V6
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"These chains are supposed to be changed at approx. 50,000 miles, but seldom are since they hold on much longer than that...unlike belts." Where did this come from? 50,000 miles, I know belts will break eventually but a chain under normal driving (not lead footed hot rodding peeling out all the time)?
daveo, how hard did you drive that truck and how many miles did it have on it when it broke?
I know most say to change the timing belts around 60,000 - 100,000 miles, I changed the one on my '91 Shadow at 120,000 miles (it was 6-7 years old at the time) and it looked fine when I pulled it off, would have most likely would have went another 40-50,000 miles.
I had a '78 Ford F-100 with a 300 inline six that had the original timing chain on it, ran great after 25 years and over 220,000 miles of use. So whats up with the Dakota timing chains?
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