I need a little help. I have an 89 Dakota. 3.9 liter V6. It has a lot of miles. There's a bottom in knock at first initial startup. But goes away within a second or two. Then engine idles smooth and quiet. What could it be exactly?

 

Almost anything..... Moving this to first gen dakota for ya.

 

Hopefully others will jump in, but how is your oil pressure? Is if after each start up, or only after cold start up?

 

the oil pressure seems good. It's only after the cold startup. Occasionally it may do it after it's sat all day. I'll start it up in the morning, get the noise. And gets quiet it's fine all day. I let it sit for a few hours, sometimes it may make the noise again

 

Not knowing anything else it is probably worth it to just do an oil flush and change with a quart of Risolone replacing a quart of oil.

 

Help us help you by stating all your vehicle info, maintenance history, etc.

 

Also as a suggestion - don't use a Fram oil filter.

I'd stick with Wix or Mopar. (Or Motorcraft, which is what I use personally).

See, a lot of oil filters don't have a drainback valve; so the motor drains of oil and it starts dry. The factory Mopar, Wix, and Motorcraft filters that fit ... do.

RwP

 

I to, was going to suggest a oil change with a new filter.... In addition, I would keep the old filter and cut it open, look for brass inside, but I would be surprised if it had it, since the oil pressure is good when hot. Never the less, I would check the insides of the filter....

 

I was having oil pressure issues with my one Dakota. I've been using Lucas Heavy Duty Engine Oil Stabilizer since a little after I bought it at 200k with original engine. Still going at 260k, going to outlast the frame at this point (sniff sniff). If you decide to use it, put the other three quarts of oil in FIRST, the Lucas has the consistency of molasses and it'll temporarily jam up the drain/return holes when you pour it in the valve cover. If you put it in before the three quarts of regular oil, you'll essentially be dry starting the engine (don't ask how i know. Yet she survived that, along with my driving.) I'm figuring in your case, the Lucas is so thick, it might take up some of the worn clearances in your cold engine on startup.