98 Dakota 4x4 pro's and con's

From : tbonedonal parrish

Q: tbone sez i doubt that hung rings have anything to do with it. i can only hope. i dont know which is why im here polling the collective knowledge. fair enough. if that were the problem you would see noticeable changes as it warmed up while it was running such as seizing. yeah its weird. it warms up and runs great and idles fine. no noises what so ever. how long is the engine stopped before you try to restart it are you sure that you are always getting fuel or too much fuel this could also be a possibility. i dont think its getting too much gas to little maybe. but i would think if that was the case when i squirt some in it should start right up and run for a second or two. i thought this was going to be a good year. i have the extra coin to get carbs regulators or anything else it needed. i certainly did not think i would be looking at a new motor. i doubt that a new motor will be needed. did you try connecting a timing light to it when it refuses to start no not yet but can do. that will tell you if you still have spark and where the timing is. it is always better to check the obvious before beginning random engine rebuilds. i usually try to subscribe to that approach myself. but i guess i cant buy my head in the stand if the evidence is right there in front of me. the carb is also affected by heat and you claim that yours is already giving you problems i would look there first. perhaps your float is sinking and causing a warm engine flood condition. that is a possibility. ill have to dig around and see what i have or score a junk yard piece. i just hate throwing money at something that is something else. i like to pride myself on not being just a parts changer guessing until something work. lol thats why i dont mind running any test someone might suggest. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving .

Replies:

From : ken

on mon 27 oct 2003 232150 -0500 donal parrish wrote i am looking at a 1998 dodge dakota 4x4 slt club cab - 5.2 mag. it has all everything the owner could order on it. 60000 miles and real sharpe. anyone know the pros and cons - good and bad on this year dakota ps he is asking top price. i have this model well mine is an slt+. overall it has been a good truck. i have hard commute miles and easy highway miles on it; but i only have 45000 total miles. i did encounter some problems over the years 1 electrical console in drivers door failed -- i had to lower the window for a toll booth and it wouldnt go back up. 2 transfer case started making sqeaking noise -- replaced under warranty. 3 catalytic converter started rattling -- replaced under warranty. 4 the hub covers little plastic discs kept falling out of the front wheels -- at $30/each i dont bother to replace them. there have been numerous tsbs on it -- the dealer should perform them without charging you; however it might be safer to have the original owner do it before selling you the truck. also check edmunds.com or something similar for pricing -- by top price i hope you mean the recommended price for a private transaction. mine is in excellent condition and has everything except cd and two-tone paint -- $11300 is all you should pay for mine. .