Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
10:45:33 - 03/29/2024

V8 Dakotas
FromMessage
modain
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/11/2006
23:00:23

Subject: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
Long story, bear with me...

I have a buddy with a 2000 R/T CC. I installed (one of) my Superchips tuners onto it. He had filled up with 91 octane in preparation for this day. When we gave it a test run he was amazed at the power difference. But, it pinged like crazy. I'm was thinking he has the dreaded "blown belly pan gasket"...

We get back, I check the radiator support and the PCM. Sure enough, a recall notice and "Authorized Software Update" on both places... Death flash.

Just a couple of months after buying it he got a recall notice so he took it in to get it done. He thought it should get done, after all, it's a safety/emissions recall. Funny (not really) thing is he remembers it ran noticably stronger before the flash. Yup.

I explain what the belly pan gasket issue is and DC's "fix" for it (software vs. mechanical) entails. We inspect the TB and manifold: full of gunk. He tells me hard accelleration is accompanied with a puff of smoke. He loses oil between changes with no leaks. Blown BP gasket.

Anyway, I put the 87 octane program on, and with 91 octane gas it runs like a rocket compared to before. He's happy. He's gonna buy one. But I'm guessing it'll ping when run on 87 octane.

OK, back on track. He and I are going to tear into the gasket replacement job sometime in the near future. It looks plenty involved; gotta basically take off the top end (fuel, cooling, accessory). I have a 1999, 2001, and 2002 FSM so we should have all the technical info needed. Any help and direction here from those that have done this would be most welcome. You know: gotchas, things not in the FSM (but needed), shortcuts, etc.

I see that Hughes Engines has a replacement kit that I seem to remember people saying good things about. I'll try to steer him this way so it's fixed for good.

Question is: when replacing the BP gasket is it also advisable or necessary to change the intake manifold gaskets, and use the new bolts in the kits (7714, 3205B)?

What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


N56629
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


7/12/2006
06:44:12

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
"Question is: when replacing the BP gasket is it also advisable or necessary to change the intake manifold gaskets, and use the new bolts in the kits (7714, 3205B)?"

It's recommended but not necessary. The only bolts that should be replaced are those that go thru the water jackets. I believe there are two of them. Other than that the bolts are some of the cheapest things you will get from the dealer, about eight bucks a set for the manifold and plenum bolts. The newer gaskets seem to work much better than the old ones. You can also get a tube of the "Right Stuff" and use it in place of or in addition to the the gasket. The Hughes cover is good but not necessary.



Adam
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/12/2006
12:32:22

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
All I did when replacing my BP gasket was replace the intake manifold gaskets also. They were only like $25 so it wasn't too bad. I had a fuel injector o ring pop off on me when removing the fuel rails, guess it decided to stay in but one of those cost $8. Not too bad of a job though.



N56629
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


7/12/2006
13:16:04

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
There's no need to pull your injectors. Disconnect the fuel line and remove the entire assembly.



toolmanuno
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


7/12/2006
19:40:58

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
i have a suggestion : after you install the new b.p. gasket put the heat gun to it and heat things up and re torque the b.p. then install the manifold and go thru the proper torq sequence. then drive it and get it up to operating temp. then retorque manifold again!i have been thru this before i did it on my 1997 5.2! if you dont do it this way then you will notive a gas mileage drop and power loss!



modain
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/13/2006
14:58:12

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
Thanks for all the help. I'll share this info with my buddy, and I'll report on how it goes.

What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


Mark
Forum Moderator
 User Profile


7/13/2006
18:03:26

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
I did my BP gasket in 2001. I found this very helpful:

http://hometown.aol.com/gnkim3/bellypan1.html

-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto




Shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/16/2006
04:22:01

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
What is a belly pan gasket?



modain
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/16/2006
18:43:02

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
Would the real Shatto pay for a membership so these people with identity problems leave him and us alone?

What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open


shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/17/2006
02:04:09

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
modain,
Really, what is it?
My experience says under the transmission of a Jeep, but we never called it that.



STUART
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/19/2006
14:57:49

RE: Belly Pan Gasket Replacement
IP: Logged

Message:
Was this problem fixed after the TSB in 1999 ?

Here is a good step by step.

http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/forums/topic.ten-id-111910-s-got_my_plenum_gasket_replaced_w_pics



   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.