Dodge Dakota, 3.7L, 109000 miles. For the last few weeks when i start my truck in the morning I would get a lot of steam / smoke for the first few miles then it would clear up, It was colds outside so ifigured this was normal. There would be no smoke / steam after I left from work as it was warmer. Talked to a mechanic buddy of mine and he told me it was probably condensation since I had not lost power or had no indication of coolant in my oil or oil in my coolant.

3 days ago i drove to work and parked the truck, when i left work that evening the truck was chugging and miss firing pretty bad. Sounded like i only had 1 or 2 pistons firing. I put my code reader on it and it showed Misfire in #2 and #4. First thing I did was put in new plugs and changed the oil. Wanted to get a good look at both. Looked normal except for the #2 plug which broke in the head and I had to wait until the next day to get it out (took a #6 easyout and the biggest I had was #5) So I finally get it out and replace with a new plug. I start the truck and it's still the same, not as bad but still bad. The next step for me was to replace the over plug ignition coil on number 2. Still running rough. Did a pressure check on the #2 and #4 cylinders, #2 read 120 and #4 read 145, spec is between 140 and 180. The 120 worries me but i am thinking thats enough to run better than it is. The truck is my only transportation and i work so i drove it to work today and when i get home i let it cool off and take the plugs out for a look. #2 looks like it has thick soot on it and #4 was normal. I checked for fire and both are firing but i cant tell if they're firing normal, i just know theres fire. I read on here that i should check my cat. Question is how do i do that? I also read that it could be a bad fuel injector. Money wise cheapest to most expensive the injector is my next step. Any HELP will be greatly appreciated.

 

I will move this to the 2nd Generation Dakota Sub-Forum.

 

Thanks, for the response. I am relooking the compression test results today. Ordered a fuel injector but that won't be in till Tuesday. I will take out the injector today and have a look. Want to do a leak down test on #2 also.

 

Removed the #2 and #4 injector and switched them. Still get the P0302 code and still running rough and misfires. Misfire is coming through the throttle body. Injectors actually looked pretty good for 8 years old. Small amount of soot shoots out the tailpipe when it misfires (noticed it on the driveway). Could this be a bad CAT? Bad plenum gasket? or blown head gasket?

 

Possible that a rocker arm fell off pull the valve cover and check.

 

Thanks man, I would have never thought to look for a rocker arm that had slipped off. Thats exactly what it was. Engine is running smooth as ever. Thanks again

 

I have the same code. Tried testing all coils, switched some coils around, took off the valve cover but the rocker arms were in place. changed spark plugs. Can't find what it is. Any suggestions?

 

Have you ever overheated the engine? When my truck was 2 seconds out of warrentee I was on the road and had my waterpump go bad. I drove it short spurts until I could get it home refilling the coolant along the way. Took me 3 hrs to drive 16 miles, drive cooldown, drive cooldown. Anyway since then I have always had a code that the passenger side O2 sensor was bad even though i replaced it and I do lose about halfgallon of coolant every 3 weeks or so. I think i have a hairline crack in the head/headgasket. I am looking to replace the engine soon so i havent fixed it as it does OK as long as I ensure i keep coolant in it. I have no indication of coolant in my oil and have even driven it foe 1000 miles with no issues. Code is still there though. Some times the check engine light starts blinking and my code reader says that i have a misfire in number 2 and 4 cylinder head. As a test i put some bars leak in the coolant and i still have the O2 code but the misfire codes went away. Also the number 2 and 4 spark plugs are always a real problem when i change them. Looking to replace the 3.7 with an 8 cylinder anyway so I'm just waiting till I have enough money saved.