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Stella
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2004
22:58:06
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 Subject: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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I have a '93' Dodge Dakota V6 automatic, which has always run great until lately.
It has always started with just a turn of the key and has not needed a "warm up"
time before being able to run. Now it won't start unless I pour gas into the
carbureator (actually, it is part fuel injectors and part carbureator) and needs time to warm up to an idle.
This is what happened:
A few months ago, I took it in for an inspection and also had the spark plugs and oil changed and the battery cable clamps cleaned. Afterwards, it seemed to run a little rough and sounded like the carbureator had been adjusted down some.
(I know these newer vehicles don't have that adjustment screw anymore but that is the only way I know to describe it.)
At first I thought it might be the battery because it wasn't tighten on properly but
that wasn't the problem and it is a brand new battery.
Then a few weeks later it wouldn't start at all and sounded as if it were out of gas. My neighbor poured gas in the carb. and it started. He told me to try some STP. That really helped for a while but before that tank of gas was used up the trouble of not starting was back.
For a while it would start if I took the airfilter off and opened the butterfly, I didn't
have to pour gas in every time.
I took it back to the mechanic and he tested the fuel pump and filter - they were fine. He hooked it up to a computer and did some other tests but it indicated that the sensors and everything was working OK. He couldn't find anything wrong and said maybe I just need to run a higher octane gas. I filled it up with "super plus" at the recomended station but it has not made a difference. It still will not start with out pouring gas into the carb. Now, it takes longer to warm up each time I start it.
It idles rough (up and down) so I think it is getting worse.
It runs fine after it gets going though and will start like it should throughout the day until it sits for several hours or over night. Does anyone have any suggestions? It is my only transportation and I would like to get it fixed
especially before winter. Thanks Stella
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2004
00:26:19
|  RE: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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Message:
My guess is, the injector is bad. It is just a guess though.
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93Dak
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2004
11:31:05
| RE: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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Message:
I would guess a clogged injector or possibly a clogged fuel rail.
You also might want to visually inspect all of the o-rings on your injectors to make sure that they aren't split and bleeding off your fuel pressure.
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Just Looking
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2004
12:22:05
| RE: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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Have u checked to make sure all the spark plug wires are connected securely and to the proper cylinders?
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2004
12:30:58
| RE: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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Have you noticed any other issues? Like acceleration loss? Drivibility issues? Any odd sounds? Ever had the injectors checked as someone said above? You can also have fuel injection service done on it, that will clean the injectors some. This is much better than pouring a bottle of clean in the tank.
- Dan M
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2004
13:26:50
| RE: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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"I took it back to the mechanic and he tested the fuel pump and filter - they were fine."
This sounds like *maybe* the mechanic tested the fuel pressure. However, was the fuel filter ever changed? Ever? It should be done about every 30,000 miles. It may be clogging.
Also, you do not have a carburetor, it is actually a throttle body. No gas flows through it, only air. Gas is introduced into the manifold below by the fuel injectors.
Someone should check the magnetic pickup at the distributor, check the fuel timing. This is a weak point for these engines.
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Stella
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/05/2004
19:29:55
| RE: 93' Dakota V6 Please Help
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I checked the spark plugs and they seem OK.
Yes, I have noticed an odd sound. After it starts there is a loud hissing noise that seems to come from the carburetor (throttle body), like air spewing it’s more of a hissing noise though. But after the truck gets warmed up, it runs fine.
I doubt that the fuel filter has ever been changed.
I asked the mechanic to change the fuel filter but he said if it were clogged, the pressure would not be as good. He thinks it could be that little part behind the throttle body that regulates the airflow. He said that the needle was not sticking at that time, but maybe it does after the truck has been sitting for a while. He also told me that if running a higher octane gas doesn’t fix it, I should leave the truck there overnight so he can check it the next morning when it is not starting. It will be difficult to get a ride back and fourth so I was hoping for a different solution.
If air-flow or regulation is the problem, why does it need gas poured in?
Does anyone know of any on-line “how to” manuals that could show me how to check some of these things? or maybe an “easy to follow” book that would be at the library?
Thank you all
I really appreciate your help.
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