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Eadd
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2005
00:19:05

Subject: TSTAT
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I bought my truck six months ago and i've only been getting 11mpg. I heard that a 185 tstat kills gas mileage. I've also noticed that my engine temp has been running consideriable under 210 degrees. What is the ideal engine temp? How do I find out whether I have a 180 or 195 tstat in my truck? And is my gas mileage average for a dakota?

98' 3.9L
Dayton, OH



Dan M
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11/24/2005
01:08:50

RE: TSTAT
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11 mpg on a V6? That is low. When was the last time it was tuned up? Plugs, wires, cap, rotor.

To see what t-stat you have, you have to pull it and either read what it says or test it in boiling water.

Have you checked the oxygen sensors? Diynet.com has instructions on checking them.

How many miles does it have?

- Dan M



Adam
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2005
01:36:12

RE: TSTAT
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Yup gotta pull it to find out what your T-Stat is. Stock is 195. I went to 180 and started getting crappier gas mileage so I put the 195 back in to see if it will help or if I have a different problem. The worse gas mileage I have gotten so far is 15.2 Before things changed I used to get around 17.5

'00 CC Sport 4x4 3.9



Eadd
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2005
01:44:11

RE: TSTAT
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it's got 118,000 on it. it was "suposedly" tuned-up seven months ago.




95V6
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11/24/2005
03:24:43

RE: TSTAT
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very approximate way to find out what tstat you have: look at the temp gauge. When I had 195 tstat, the indicator was approximately at the middle of the normal range on the gauge (after engine warmed up). After I installed 180 tstat, the indicator does not move beyond lower 1/4 of the normal range. And btw, I didn't notice any mpg drop, though some small drop could be expected. I doubt that tstat can cause 11mpg.

95 3.9L 4WD V6, K&N, Gibson exh, JBA hdrs, JET stage II, MSD 6A, Rancho shocks and more..

Joe M.
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2005
09:32:59

RE: TSTAT
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hey Eadd
I'd look into that "supposed" tune up first hand
and i'll bet the cap and rotor are carboned up

and if so get ones with brass inserts
a decent set of wires and some good plugs



Eadd
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2005
14:03:32

RE: TSTAT
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I checked the distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs, wires, and air filter. All are good. And if it's the O2 sensor bad shouldn't I get a check engine light? Aslo replaced my heater core and am now runnig just under 210 degrees meaning that i probly have the 195 Tstat. Any one have any more Ideas on how i could improve my gas milage? `This 11mpg is killin me.



GB2000
GenIII
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11/27/2005
17:17:33

RE: TSTAT
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O2 sensor doesn't always throw a code





Josh Blackshire - Founder, OhioDakotas.NET
Red 98 Dakota Sport - Check it out!

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