Hello, first post here....
Looking to buy a 1991 Dakota 2WD Ext cab w/ 5.2 and AT
Has 185, 000 miles

Pros_ Engine runs very good, oil looks great
Transmission shifts like a new one and the fluid looks good
Body is rust free and straight
Brakes feel good
Interior was taken well care of
No leaks under motor or tranny

Cons- The steering wheel has a little play, but not too bad.

When just starting off it feels like there is some hesitation almost like
its not getting enough fuel, kind of shakes a little..but once it gets past that point, it runs fine.
It does not die out or anything.

Is there anything I need to look for in problem areas?
Seems like a solid truck and taken care of.
The person is asking $900
With that many miles, either it has already been fixed..or the tires are getting ready to fall off. So I know problems will be a coming..sooner or later.
Thanks

 

First and foremost, welcome to DodgeForum!!

The hesitation could be it needs a full tune up... plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, coil. It may also need an o2 sensor and MAP sensor and TPS. Its hard to say without running tests on each sensor, but a good place to start is an ignition tune up.

The steering play could be (in order of likelyness from my experience) worn out ball joints, worn out tie rods and/or worn out rack and pinion (hopefully not this).

 

Thank you. Is there a quick way to check the R&P to make sure its O.K.?
That sounds like a major job if that is the case.

Looks like someone put a new coil on recently,,maybe they were trying to find the cure to the hesitation problem also?
Would a bad or stopped up fuel injector cause this?

 

A bad fuel injector could cause this, or a worn out pump, or clogged fuel filter. The fact that you said it overcomes this issue makes me wonder if its really a fuel delivery problem though. But it wouldn't hurt to run a fuel injector cleaner through the engine for a tank of gas or two and replace the fuel filter. I like the Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner/Upper engine lubricant, but there are many of them out there. If you have the ability, check the fuel pressure too.

Obviously I haven't seen the truck, so I won't try to tell you whether you should get it or not, but for $900 and a few parts, it sounds like a good deal. As long as the engine has good compression and doesn't burn oil, and as long as the transmission still works great and has clean looking fluid, that truck can easily see another 100,000 or more. I've seen a dakota in my area that had over 400,000 miles on the original motor.

 

Thats a low price compared to what mine was ($1700) and mines older and has the 3.9, so you wouldnt be doin to bad though mine does have a good amount less milage but even yours isnt too bad, and these trucks do last as long as there takin care of and just follow up on what Brian said, he knows a lot of usefull things and most of the time he knows what hes talkin about

 

I forgot to answer one of your questions... I don't know how to test the rack and pinion, but I seriously doubt thats the problem... I was just covering the options. My suggestion is eliminate the following, and if they all pass inspection, the only part left that could be bad is the rack and pinion unit. Check the ball joints first for excessive play, if they pass, move on to the wheel bearings (I forgot to mention these earlier). If the wheel bearings pass, move on to the tie rods. If the tie rods pass, check for free play in the steering column itself (have someone turn the wheel while you look at the shaft where it comes through the firewall and connects to the R&P. Then, there is always the option that the tires are misaligned or inproperly inflated.

 

What?!?!?! I always know what I'm talking about... doesn't mean I'm always right, but I always know what I'm talking about :P It must be other people that have trouble interpreting the infomation I give :P

Just kidding Zack!

 

Guys, thanks for your help here. I'll have to let you know my bubble has burst.
When I went back to give it another once over, after starting the truck a huge smoke ball came out of the exhaust. The valve seals must be completely gone. I left it running for awhile and it was still smoking some. Its hard to tell how much as it has turned cold here already in Nebraska.
I'm going to find out how much it will cost to replace the valve seals, but I doubt it will be worth it. I'm very sad as this is really a nice truck and the motor starts and runs very well.
They must have had it running already when I first looked as I did not notice any smoke from the start up.
Got my eyes searching for another one....thanks again!

 

Got a quote of $500 to do the valve seals...wowee!
If I were to get the truck I think I would slave myself over those
heads for that price. I don't think its that hard is it? Just a little time
consuming.
I may go back to see if they still have it and get it out on the road to
check for further exhaust smoke...hopeing the rings aren't gone.

 

Well goodluck with the truck if your still goin with it



LOL man
I think when i wrote that that i was thinking that everyone has there good and bad days though you seem to have better days than i do becasuse some days i can be stupid as **** and the next thing ya know i know a whole ****load about something because somethin popped back into my mind