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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2004
14:53:55
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 Subject: Engine Stuff
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Getting a new set of Taylor Spiro-Pro plug wires, hoping to fix a rough running engine.
I was thinking about it though....
If I have a cylinder that's not firing properly, it would richen the mixture that O2 reads from the exhaust, correct? Then the comp. would lean out the mixture, kill my power, mpg, etc.
But do you think 1 bad cylinder would make enough of a difference to actually do this? I doubt it would on a V8, but the little 6 might actually do something.
Anyone seen big gains with new plug wires that fixed a rough running engine.
J-Man
1996 3.9L Ram 1500
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?
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2004
15:28:41
| RE: Engine Stuff
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You would probably gain more by checking the plug gaps , possibly run better at .045 !
Are plugs new ?
Also how old is O2 sensor ? - may be going bad ?
How is power on highway ?
possible ' cat ' getting plugged up ??
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2004
16:08:58
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Plug gaps are good. Nice tan color all around. Only 3 months old. It feels almost like a misfire. I have a new cap and rotor to try as well, and failing that a new coil maybe.
As far as I know, original O2. Might be part of the problem, but I'm going to try the wires anyway. Only 94k miles on it.
Might be cat as well, but I'm starting with some cheaper things first - Plug wire and maybe O2.
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Seth
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2004
22:28:04
| RE: Engine Stuff
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If one cylinder is not firing you will get a check engine light, your model truck falls into the OBDII standard. If one was not fireing you would get a troble code like po300 to po308. whice are misfire codes. Take your fuel rail off and clean, ive seen many of these full of trash, so check that, check spark, you can pick up a spark tester at almost any automotive parts stores for cheap, might wanna check fuel pressure, etc. Really need more information on what its doing besides running rough, like cutting out backfireing etc. But check the other things first, it could be somthing really simple.
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
12:14:13
| RE: Engine Stuff
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I think it firing, just not completely. I don't always trust the fact that there are no codes. I can't even seem to be able to pull codes (should at least get the 55 or whatever the 'end of codes' code is, but I can't).
The engine just idles rough. The idle doesn't fluctuate, but it randomly shakes. It's strong enough that it is easy to feel inside. Putting my hand over the exhaust, I can feel some kind of a pulse that coincides with the "misfire".
I just really want to get it fixed. It's annoying when sitting idling, and I'm sure it's not doing my engine any good.
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Big Dog
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
18:54:06
| RE: Engine Stuff
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bad or dirty IAC (sensor on the back of the throttle body) will give you the illusion of a misfire.
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
19:05:06
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Just cleaned whole TB, and IAC, when I ported it about 3 months ago. Same time as I changed plugs.
I have had the truck for a little over 2 years, and as far as I can remember, it has always done it.
I wouldn't think it would be the O2, just because it happens so quickly and frequently ("misfires" at least once every second) that I don't think the computer could react that fast to the readings from the O2 sensor.
Fuel rail pluggage maybe, but all the plugs are burning tan, just like they should, so that kinda doesn't make sense.
Geez, me and my problems!
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piston
GenIII
7/13/2004
19:23:37
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Have you always had a truck? I ask this because a truck has a bumpy cam then a car and will idle a little rougher. Put the truck in gear(if an auto) and let it idle for a few minutes. Does it still do it. If not its just a charecteristic of the engine and the camshaft. If it still does it then I would check on the things listed above. But obdII will pickup the slightest engine hickup so there is no need to worry. Also check to make sure all your vaccum hoses are good(not dried out or cracked) and make sure they are connected
Keep The Shiny Side Up
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Big Dog
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
19:42:50
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Leaking belly pan gasket will also give the illusion of a misfire
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
21:45:12
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Yeah, I have always been around trucks. This doesn't seem like a simple characteristic. It's a 5-speed, does it in neutral all the time. Most noticeable at idle.
Big Dog,
That just might be the break I was waiting for. I was going to gasket match the intake soon anyway, so I will probably just replace it, but is there a way to check it out first?
Thanks a lot guys.
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Jeff
GenIII
7/14/2004
00:39:45
| RE: Engine Stuff
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I had some pinging and general engine crappiness a while back, so i put some 3923's in. worked great for a few days, then went back to the same old shiite. month later finally got around to changing the cap/rotor to brass, and put on new wires (taylor spiro-pro 8mm).
now the truck runs better than it ever has before, smoother than new even.
for a <$100 DIY tuneup, thats not too shabby.
:)
Jeff
'99 3.9 clubcab
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Big Dog
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2004
19:58:27
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Yes you can check to see if your belly pan gasket is leaking...shine a light down your butterfly on your throttle body and if you see a oily grimmy mess it needs replacin.
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J and J Auto
GenII
7/17/2004
00:22:29
| RE: Engine Stuff
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Things to check
Wires
cap for carbon track looks like a small piece of
hair,
plugs
dirty injector champian injector cleaner is the
strogest out there
Vac leak
o2 is recomended replaced at 60,000 miles free
scan at auto zone they get lazy and do not
change throw the flip flop voltage .2 to 1 volt
.1 to .9 in that range in closed loop engine at
operating temp
Larry
J&J Auto
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Vincent
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2006
11:04:07
| RE: Engine Stuff
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1996 dodge dakota - 3.9 engine wan't starter, it hassn't fire...please any help.
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joe M.
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2006
09:39:06
| RE: Engine Stuff
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have you checked the wire splice at the underhood fuse box?
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