OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
#1760583
02/22/15 04:29 PM
02/22/15 04:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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I've had the Dakota about a month now. I filled the tank up about a week and a half after I bought it. Topped the tank off again today partly because the needle floats so bad, I wasn't sure how much I had. First full tank of gas, MPG came back at 9 MPG. Yes, NINE. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot??? Granted, I haven't given it a full tune up yet, just changed the oil and filters so far, BUT, with that being said, its not belching black smoke, it starts and runs very smoothly, brakes aren't dragging....... I will admit a majority of my driving is in town, but still, NINE from the V6? I was hoping for around 14. As soon as I get a clear weekend, I'm going to take a closer look at a few things (like the plugs), but, if this is the best I'm gonna get out of it, I'm gonna have to sell it off. The 440 in my wagon does (did) better. Kinda bummed and shell shocked right now.......
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: moretoys]
#1760586
02/22/15 06:36 PM
02/22/15 06:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,999 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,999
Salem
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Start with pulling out your O2 sensor and clean with oven cleaner. Put it back in and try another tank. Usually awful fuel mileage is a plugged air filter or the O2 sensor. Plugged cats is also an issue on these trucks as well, so good chance that's the prob. During the Magnum era, the V10, 360, 318, and V6 are all within 1mpg of one another. It was -5F yesterday and I got 14.8mpg out of my 360 Mag in a full-size quadcab, all highway, about 60mph. If it was town it would probably be 12mpg in this kind of cold. Edit* Shoulda' got that white one.......
Last edited by Grizzly; 02/22/15 07:10 PM.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: TrxR]
#1760588
02/22/15 08:31 PM
02/22/15 08:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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I'm wondering if there is a temp issue. It hasn't been hot out, but, the factory gauge barely moves, and the heat is never really hot (even the hoses to/from the heater are just 'warm') no matter how long its running. If it is indeed running cold, my short (5 mile) commute to work sure ain't going to get it fully up to temp. As for the catalytic convertor, when I bought the truck, there were two installed inline, the original one, and back where the stock muffler was supposed to be, another one. The new one was less than two months old, so, when I had a stock muffler installed, I had the shop replace the old stocker with the new one already on the truck (moved it from the back up to the stock location). I know this thing will never be a Neon in terms of MPG, but, single digits is unacceptable. Grizzly.....shuddap.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1760590
02/22/15 09:11 PM
02/22/15 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,728 places
79powerwagon
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,728
places
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I'm getting 18mpg with mine, all country/rural driving, 7 mile each way commute. I think a nice, fresh bottle of sea-foam added to your tank, new tune-up stuff, and a front end alignment will do you wonders! Plus, drive the crap out of too! Mine sat for a long time before I bought it, and I made a point to use up the first tank of gas that first week-end! LOL! It just keeps getting better and better! Even starts reliably at -22°f!
Mine too warms up slowly, but it does warm up. I have a new thermostat for it, I just didn't get it installed soon enough for winter. I'll do it in the spring.
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: 71yelladustr]
#1760592
02/22/15 10:25 PM
02/22/15 10:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,999 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,999
Salem
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2 cats? Geez, might as well have just stuffed a rag in the pipe to "clean" the air. Good you got that out. What 71Yella sez: it's running open-loop on you because the ECM thinks it's cold. Easy fix, but there's a bit of crap to get out of the way to get at the t-stat. A/C doesn't have to be discharged-it will lift out of the way.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: Grizzly]
#1760593
02/23/15 02:29 AM
02/23/15 02:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,538 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,538
Freeport IL USA
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My 3.9 4x4 auto gets a consistent 13-14 around town in the summer, and around 10 in the winter. My old carbed 360 4bbl 80 Dodge 4x4 got 8-9 all the time. I was and am thrilled with 10-14 mpg. Its all in perspective. On the highway, for the first few miles, it seems like I really have to push the truck to get up to 65, but after a few miles, it loosens up and runs. After a 1/2 hour of highway driving I need to watch my speed, it runs easily at 70+. I'm getting 17 + on the highway. I really never have driven for great gas mileage, I seem to be in a hurry all the time, or maybe its my lead foot..
Don't blame the truck because of a bad thermostat, or short drives, and don't make a judgement call on one tank of fuel. Gene
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: poorboy]
#1760594
02/23/15 03:05 AM
02/23/15 03:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043 State of Confusion
hp383
Just a normal tag again
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Just a normal tag again
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043
State of Confusion
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One of the biggest issues with the magnum engines is the intake plenum gasket.
When that starts to leak, the mileage goes down the toilet.
When I first bought my 92 Dakota with a 5,2 it got 9mpg. I did a tune up, thermostat, and temp sensor change, no better mpg.
Then I learned about the plenum gasket issue, sure enough that was the problem. Fixed that and I was averaging 17mpg with 95% highway driving, with 26" tall tires and 3.55 gears.
I now have 4.30 gears and the same tires, and still get 15mpg.
Join the Penguin Liberation Front!! Stop the Hippo Occupation!
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: mopars4ever]
#1760597
02/23/15 11:13 PM
02/23/15 11:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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So far it doesn't seem like its using any oil, I may get the plenum repair kit from Hughes just as preventive maintenance. I'll work with it a bit and see if I can get the number to come up some. Heck, it took three years of fiddling to get my Caravan's MPG back up to what it was supposed to be. The main difference between the two vehicles though was that the Caravan had obvious issues. The hard part was finding the not so obvious issues the obvious ones caused. I really don't want to kick this truck to the curb, I like the truck too much. I've wanted a Dakota for quite some time, and hope to be able to keep this one for many years. Thanks for the replies...
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1760599
02/24/15 04:18 PM
02/24/15 04:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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Your t-stat is an obvious issue, either it is old and failing or someone drilled a bleed hole in it. Get a 205 stat for MPG 195 for a compromise and 180 if you want more of the same.
Also seems like you had possible trans issues when you bought it, that can kill the mpg also. Might want to do a full service on it, fluid, filter, adjust bands, tighten line pressure a bit, type F fluid. Can you feel the lock up engage?
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: BIGGERED]
#1760602
02/24/15 09:27 PM
02/24/15 09:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,922 Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,922
Grand Prairie,Texas
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Temp has nothing to do with trans od. Wrong. My bad see my post down a ways.
Last edited by stumpy; 02/24/15 11:10 PM.
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: mopars4ever]
#1760605
02/24/15 10:40 PM
02/24/15 10:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,225 ILLINOIS
volaredon
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,225
ILLINOIS
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my 93 with a 318 is better on MPG than my 94 with a 3.9/ but I have never had one 9 MPG-bad. except my 88 D 100,318, 1st year they had TBI. My 94 (3.9 auto reg cab short bed 3.55s) got a best ever of 18-once- usually 17 on a solid highway run, 14 in the winter in mixed driving, my 318 one (club cab, converted to 5 speed by me, also 3.55s) gets 20 on the highway and 17-18 in mixed driving. never did worse than 15, even towing, with this one. both trucks 2wd, my 90 (3.9 pre magnum long bed also 2wd, 3.55s) got 16 in town/20 highway, like clockwork.
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: stumpy]
#1760606
02/24/15 10:41 PM
02/24/15 10:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,728 places
79powerwagon
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,728
places
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Quote:
Temp has nothing to do with trans od.
It sure does when it's WAY below zero! Mine is merely a 3 speed with no lock-up when it's beastly cold out. When it gets to be 10° above zero or higher, it works as it should.
You should hear the rear end SCREAMING in the cold! It sounds like a UFO!
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: stumpy]
#1760608
02/24/15 11:47 PM
02/24/15 11:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,810
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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Yes, the OD is working, and so is the lock up. In certain situations, its noticeable enough that it feels like a 5 spd. As I mentioned in another thread, I think the previous owner thought the trans was 'bad' because the truck doesn't have the 'snap' of a new vehicle. To me, it feels fine. It shifts as it should. To me, it actually shifts better than the 2002 I used to have. With the '02, I practically had to mat it to get it to drop a gear and pull (like if I slowed way down and wanted to get back up to speed quickly). With this,same scenario, and it drops down a gear without even coming close to matting it, pulls hard up to speed, upshifts, OD kicks in and you're at cruising speed. No fuss, no muss.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: stumpy]
#1760609
02/24/15 11:52 PM
02/24/15 11:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,325 Truckville, the capital of NY
85_Ram_4speed
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,325
Truckville, the capital of NY
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My '96 ext cab v-6 got around 15ish around town, 19-20ish highway. I once--and only once got 22 on a 600 mile round trip after it was given a full tune up. I owned the truck from 54,000 miles to 135,000 miles(9 years). Obviously the older the truck got, the worse it got, but it was pretty consistant to the end.
Sounds as if the T-stat is a little faulty, replace it---factory 195 is adequate IMO.
Outcast Dodge guy.
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: WO23Coronet]
#1760613
02/25/15 10:40 PM
02/25/15 10:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,163 Plymouth, MI
Blusmbl
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,163
Plymouth, MI
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On my 05, if it's colder than about 25F outside the converter stays unlocked for the first mile or two of freeway driving.
'18 Ford Raptor, random motorcycles, 1968 Plymouth Fury III - 11.37 @ 118
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: 79powerwagon]
#1760615
02/25/15 11:39 PM
02/25/15 11:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043 State of Confusion
hp383
Just a normal tag again
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Just a normal tag again
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043
State of Confusion
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The internals of the transmission no not really. They use the same clutches, and hard parts.
Main difference is in the valvebody with the OD solenoid, and electric lockup (If applicable).
Join the Penguin Liberation Front!! Stop the Hippo Occupation!
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: Blusmbl]
#1760617
02/26/15 02:30 AM
02/26/15 02:30 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,254 Canada
WO23Coronet
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,254
Canada
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Quote:
On my 05, if it's colder than about 25F outside the converter stays unlocked for the first mile or two of freeway driving.
Sorry I should have added that once it warms up after a couple of miles it will kick into OD
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Re: OUCH!! Hope this isn't permanent.........
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1760619
03/04/15 02:11 PM
03/04/15 02:11 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Over in the Q&A section, I had a lot of guys disputing me that the V6 does crap for mpg. Less power than the 5.2, same mpg. I think it just takes a certain amount of hp to drive these things down the road. But 9 is bad, worse than it should be. You should at least be seeing teens mpg. Have you checked it fill to fill straight highway driving? Town driving, warm-up, short trips, etc will kill mpg.
FWIW, my buddy and I took his 97 ram 1500 extended cab 5.2 4x4 auto on a 3000 mile round trip. When we were on the flat lands in North Dakota, we ran a tank full of gas at 75mph on the interstate, got 13.5mpg. Slowed down to 55-60 for the next tank and mileage perked up to 18.5mpg. We stayed around that speed the rest of the trip. On the way back home (1500 miles) we were towing my boat/trailer, combined weight about 2200lbs. The poor 318 struggled with the extra weight and drag behind it on the hills coming up through the Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska area. Constantly shifting up/down unless I let it slow down going up the hills or went fast enough to keep it reving higher in 4th. Either way mpg was crap, don't think we broke 14mpg towing. Maybe once we hit the flat lands it had the chance to pick up a little.
My 94 Ford Explorer 4.0L 5sp manual 4x4 would do 17mpg on the highway when towing the same boat. She was real low on power doing it but got the job done. Good thing the highways here are flat and boy did the 5sp ever make towing better. That would have been a miserable tow rig if it would have had the auto trans.
My 99 Ram 2500 5.9 cummins 24v auto 4x4 long box extended cab truck towed the same boat at a consistent 17-19mpg on the highway.
Then later on same buddy bought a minty low mileage 2001 ram 2500 v10 5sp 4x4 extended cab long box. I borrowed it when going to pick up a dart sport I was buying. On the hour drive dragging the tow dolly out there, the overhead console showed a typical 12-13mpg. On the way back with the car on the dolly the mpg remained unchanged and I sure never felt the car on the back.
So basically if you're only getting 9mpg, that's worse than a 3/4 ton v10 truck with 3x the power and towing capacity.
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