Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
10:18:29 - 03/28/2024

V6 Dakotas
FromMessage
nfrederick
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/07/2009
08:32:20

Subject: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
I am getting some pretty bad gas mileage on my 3.9 98 Dakota.

I recently changed the wires, plugs, and changed the oil (I switched to full synthetic Royal Purple).

Could it be that having 1 quart too much oil is causing this (I have been busy and have not had a chance to drain a little out) I have heard different things about having too much, some say its not a big deal, some say my truck will seals will blow.

I used to be able to go close to 300 miles on a tank, right now im lucky if I can go 220-240.




Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/07/2009
08:47:51

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
How is it running? Did you get the firing order correct? Check fault codes.



nfrederick
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/07/2009
08:50:11

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
I probably sound like a moron but I have never really done my own work before, how do I check fault codes?



Engine - Blew
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/07/2009
09:53:18

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
(I have been busy and have not had a chance to drain a little out)


Well I guess you will have plenty of time to drain it when the engine stops.

Are you going to sell it for parts?



?
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/07/2009
13:38:56

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
May well have more to do with which plugs you selected , or the gap they are set at.
Also , I believe there is now alcohol in the gas which actually reduces fuel milage , unless mods are done to compensate.
Also possible - O2 sensor getting 'lazy'
and also cold weather ?



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/08/2009
08:29:01

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
Fault codes can be scanned at Autozone for free, no obligation; or you can check yourself:

http://allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html




93dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/08/2009
17:30:16

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
Too much oil in the crank case can cause severe power loss if it is coming into contact on the crank...so yes that could cause that problem.

I did some testing with this issue on 4-stroke outboards with a dyno, the extra oil will not damage the engine, just add a lot of parasitic power loss.



daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/08/2009
17:42:42

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
"the extra oil will not damage the engine"

i don't know about that statement. if there is enough oil in there to get frothed up by the crank counterweights throwing it around, what's the oil pump going to pump? foam? not good.



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/09/2009
08:18:29

RE: Bad gas mileage...
IP: Logged

Message:
Extra oil can in some engines get sucked past the valve seals and cause leaks that didn't exist before...

A girl in our high school class once checked the dipstick in her car to find it at the ADD mark. So she looked up how much the engine holds and added - 4 qts.



   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.