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Joe
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2003
22:38:57

Subject: Help w/thermostat
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I have a 92 Dakota 3.9 auto and decided to change to the 180 thermostat. Well I pulled the radiator hose off and loosened one bolt then started on the other and it broke. So I went back to autozone and got a screw backout kit and one of those broke out. Ive been drilling on it for some time and can drill out the broken drill bit. I was thinking of putting RTV all over the housing and tighten the one remaining bolt but am pretty sure that would leak. Damnit this sucks. It seems evertime i go to fix something, like this easy 30 minute job, I break something and takes a lot longer. And why the hell did that one break off and the other came out smoothly.



noitall
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2003
22:57:26

RE: Help w/thermostat
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c u should hav left it alone that 180 wont help u 1 bit



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2003
00:04:31

RE: Help w/thermostat
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Alittle too late for that advice. It does have a 140k on it so it was probably about to go anyway or maybe not but the fact and damage still remain.



J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2003
10:40:52

RE: Help w/thermostat
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Ouch,

You are going to have to break the easyout out
with a small punch drill it to size and tap it.

At this point it may be better to buy a set of
gaskits and remove the manifold and take it to
a shop and get it repaired unless you think you
can do it yourself.

Good Luck

Larry
J&J Auto



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2003
04:35:46

RE: Help w/thermostat
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Ill probably put in on the trailer tomorrow and get my buddy to pull it to a mechanic in the Ram. Im sure it'll cost a lot, but I guess I can learn something from this, but I cant. Or maybe I can look at it like, I saved a lot more than Ive broke by doing it myself. Im just eager to see how it will be removed. And how can it be done any better. If a bolt is rusted in place, how can you get it out w/o breaking. Anymore ideas or genius, lay it on me. Thanks J and J, but I looked at the intake manifold and it doesnt look like fun to disassemble, but I will if i cannot find an easier fix.



Hexx
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2003
11:29:24

RE: Help w/thermostat
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Hey Joe,
I have the same issue with fixing stuff (or upgrading i should say) and then it all going to sh!t....it sucks.

Anyways, how do you go about changing the t-stat, and where is it located? I have a '93 3.9L dakota.



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2003
17:29:58

RE: Help w/thermostat
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Drain some coolant then take the upper radiator hose off and there it is. I tried some ease out, and guess what, it broke off to make matters worse. I just had a guy here to fix it but no luck he recommends doing what J and J suggested. While the intake if off, is there any performance mods I could perform??? Might as well since I'll be out some money and the labor will already be done. All I can say Hexx, be careful cause if its rusted then it'll snap. I dont want any of you to feel the same pain. I guess I'll get used to driving my Aspire for a while.



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2003
00:42:40

RE: Help w/thermostat
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I finally got my Dakota back. I called many places and machine shops and got a"traveling machinist" to come help. He said it is impossible to get it out without taking the manifold off and putting it under a honer. I was getting ready for the task, but my Dad knew a guy at work. Still discouraged, but he got it out and left it on my seat as a souvenier.



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