go with copper cored plug, i use champions and yes the pre cat o2 sensor is most likely bad, no it won't throw a code necessarily

 

Jake,
there is a HUGE differance between the spark plugs they put in GM cars/trucks from the factory vs what the 2000Dodge's is putting in theirs directly from the factory. My Saturn calls for replacement of anti-freeze,spark plugs, and gas filter at 100k BECAUSE GM uses sparks plugs and Anti-freezethat actually last that long from the factory.

I am a maintanance freak and I would never wait until something BREAKS to fix it...I do maintanance according to the manufactures recommendations----thats WHY I dont have BREAK DOWNS!

I will buy some copper core plugs,replace the 02 sensor and see what happens.

 

Easy dude...
It's just my opinion.
You fix something when it is broken - You do maintenance to prevent things from breaking.My point is changing plugs every 30k is absurd. As far as GM providing vehicles with equipment "from the factory'"lasting any longer than Dodge providing vehicles with equipment "from the factory" is a load of crap. Again my opinion. I can buy the same plugs and antifreeze GM uses anywhere as well as plugs used in my Dodge. ACDelco, Champion, Bosch,NGK they will all last 100K under the right circumstances. I too believe in maintenance and I also do not break down. 2000 Dodge came with Champion I provide it with Champion. I just believe every 30K is nuts.
Do what you like and have a blast!

 

i do mine every 20-25k...tranny every 10k... guess its a mater or knowing how things work that helps ya understand why not to wait forever...

 

Have you changed your fuel filter in the dak yet? And as far as the coolant goes, why do you think people are switching back from dex-cool to regular green...

 

oh and just do a little search on this site about the bosch +4's, i think you'll be surprised about what you find.

 

There is no fuel filter on my Dakota that im aware of. If there is one, I sure cant find it..

As far as the Dex Cool goes? My wifes 2003 Saturn has 80 K on it and we are the original buyers [2003 model] ...I took it into our local Radiator shop last week for a anti-freezeflush/fill and the owner said it looked as good as new and its protection level was also excellant---Dex Cool is some good stuff IMO.

 

they also recommend once a week that you rotate the tires including the spare, remount and dismount and balance them every other week change, the air filter twice a month and blow the dust out of the cabin vents every other month, otherwise the warranty is toast...and throw baseballs just to make sure the plastic is holding up addiquitly...

 

Not that I've noticed. I'm still not familiar with the Dakota yet as I've only had it a few months, so I don't know if it has a knock sensor or not to retard timing. I have an aftermarket knock retarder in my Focus that has a display that lights up if it senses deto.

Jason

 

Mine runs just like it did with the factory plugs. I'm not sure what brand was used, but they seem to be doing fine thus far. It's been a week and I've driven the truck every day since then.

Jason