my 98 v6 4x4 has pinged since the day i got it new. dealer blamed it on cheap gas. with 79000 on the odometer, i guess i should do something about it. dealer wants to re-flash computer for $90, but i wonder if there is something i can do to fix this myself. and NO i'm not going to start using 93 octane to try to mask the problem! any ideas? -thanx

 

DONT LET THEM FLASH YOUR PCM.... all this will do is downgrade your performance and make your truck run like swhit. The problem u are speaking of sound like its and intake manifold gasket leak. Actually im almost sure of it. What u want to do here is take off your airhat and shine a flashilight into your throttle body. If your seeing oil in there than this is most definately the problem. This is one of the most notorious problems for 2nd gen dakotas and the only way to truly fix this problem is either upgrading your intake manifold to a mopar m1, or visit hughesengines.com and purchase his intake plenum cover kit.

 

I have the same prob with my 98 4x2 when it is under strain like pulling or hauling heavy. Is the fix the same? Thank in advance

 

The intake leak is most likely the problem. It usually sucks in the PAPER gasket underneath the plenum and then starts burning oil (that you won't see). To correct it easily, go to the dealer, get the steel plenum gasket and an intake gasket kit, rip the intake off and replace the paper gasket. I've done probably 150-200 of them. 2-3 hour job if that. Don't forget the thermostat/gasket and a tune-up! Good luck!
p.s. pay attention to the torque specs!

 

I'm seeing same symptoms with my 98 Dak 5.2 Liter. How do you confirm it's the plenum gasket before doing the replacement? thx

 

Look down into the throttle body. Open the throttle blades and look inside with a flashlight. If you look to the edges of the bottom of the intake, you can usually see the paper gasket sticking out. Also if there is excessive oil in the bottom of the intake, that is usually a good indication. As I said, make sure to replace you thermostat if it hasn't been done and also do a tune-up (if it hasn't been done). You can take the truck to the dealer and have them check the fuel syn also. Later...

 

I have a 99 sport 4X4 just got it. The pinging noise is there also, but sounds like it is in the front of the motor? I have heard the timing chain can also make this noise? it has 71000 miles V6 Mag. I am trying the high grade of gas now to see if it clears up? if not what else could be causing the pinging noise other than the gasket leaking? This seems to be a common issue with this motor and year mod? Should I be concerned? I have also heard that using a low grade of gas for a long period of time causes this noise by building up carbon deposits around the inside of the valve covers and pistons? Need help before spending to much money at the dealer?

 

Dodge has issued several Technical Service Bulletins, TSBs, on the pinging issue for the 3.9 and other Dakota engines. The number one fix is to reroute the coil wire so that it is NOT parallel to other ignition wires. Apparently there is a major crossfire problem. Route the coil wire along the upper side of the valve cover. At the rear of the engine route the coil wire so that there is maximum distance between it and the plug wires. Where they do cross make sure that the coil wire is perpendicular to the plug wires, NOT parallel. The complete TSB with illustrations is available at http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18-48-98.htm.

They also address the intake manifold leak and some diagnostic procedures in http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm.

Some practical ping diagnostic advise and better intake diagnostics are available here: http://dodgeram.org/tech/gas/Trouble/ping.htm. The author's rant about 14.7/1 A/F ratio is slightly overstated. 14.7 is just how it has to be today.

These may/may not apply to your situation. But as ignition wires age and move around a little they might be more likely to pick up a little inducted current from adjoining wires. Sometimes a good combustion chamber cleaner followed buy a few miles of "intense" driving helps. [:@] As alway, your mileage may vary. No warranty expressed or implied...

 

Thanks for the info on the gasket. I was starting to think it was a fuel or timing problem. Looked down the intake and there was a pool of oil. I guess this solves more than one problem that I have.