just bought it used. it's my first Dakota. has the 3.9L V6. I bought it "as-is", 107,000 miles. I've noticed there is a sluggish, hesitating feeling when I'm at cruising speed in 4th (overdrive) at 1500 to 1800 rpm. Seems like it could have more power. I replaced the TPC sensor, no change. I did a compression check on the cylinders, this is my results:

1=180
3=150
5=180
2=180
4=120
6=125

The Haynes manual says the min psi is 100 with no greater than 40psi variation between cylinders. I did a vacuum test with good results 48psi.

My compression result for 4,6 cylinders lead me to believe there may be a blown head gasket. I am going to do a cylinder leak down test to determine.

anyone done a head gasket repair and can tell me how it went?

how about swapping the 3.9 V6 with a 4.7L V8, what all does it involve?

Any comments about my compression test?

 

I don’t know the V6 or V8 but I think a blown head gasket is not the problem I think sticking piston rings or valves is more like it.

Try Gunk engine flush and then recheck the pressure again https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-dakota/301489-gunk-engine-flush-wow.html

 

Did you spin it over with the throttle blades open? We found out the hard way on the racecar, that having the butterlies closed will make a big difference on the numbers, for both leakdown and rotating compression.

That said, mine is sluggish down low, but screams at 2200+