I just bought a 1998 Dodge Dakota with 36,000 miles. It has the magnum V6 and 5 speed tranny. When I test drove it, it sounded good. Now that I have bought it, the truck is constantly pinging under load. I have read the TSB on the plug and coil wires. And also the plenum (sp?) gasket for the intake manifold. Now if it is the gasket it said there would be excessive oil consumption, I have driven the truck for a week and the oil is still full to the top. So I would like to know what excessive mean, goes down alot in a week or what. Also if there are any suggestions on other fixes if that is not the case they would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Forgot to mention, it doesn't seem to ping when I first start it in the morning when its cold, and I am only running 87 octane maybe I should up it to 89?

 

If the plenum gasket is leaking it will make it ping, my 97 did it and it would not use but a pint of oil in 5000 miles , but i've seen them use a quart in a 1000 miles. Look down the throttle body, if u see standing oil it's blown. A little film is normal, but not a puddle. Also check the breather and pcv valve and hose. I don't know if 89 Oct gas will help but 93 will.

 

I had the same problem and just started puttin mid grade in and it went away and the I stepped up and went with the programmer and Now I run premium and I dont have a spark knock ever unless I run mid or regular sure it hits the wallet a little hard but thats the price I pay you know.

 

Thanks for the replys guys. I put in 89 octane up from 87 and the pinging seems to have stopped, gonna try and run a colder plug like I have read other people do. See if that does anything. I really hope this truck doesn't require supreme or the 94 octane, cause that is the reason I bought this truck, so I would have to. My last car need 94 to run and it got sick costing $50 to $60 to fill up a 4 cyl. Volkswagen.

 

Yeah but a 1.8t should get about 30mpg.

I disd the same trade because I got tired of electrical problems.

 

30mpg would be nice. didn't have a 1.8t. Had a 92 Gti 1.8l. The reason for the 94 octane was cause of the work, cam, chip, pistons, decked head, running alot higher than the 10.1 to 1 compression. And it had 240,000 km which is about 150000 miles. On a full tank of cas was lucky to 350 km which is about 218 miles. Where as the Dakota I get nearly 500 km or 320 miles.
But anyways don't have to worry about that now, truck is in the body shop, got smoked in a parking lot exactly one week after I got it. And no witnesses or a note. Man I hate some people.

 

that sucks! is your insurance taking care of it or is the bill coming out of your mod money?

 

gonna pay for it out of my pocket. Deductible is $300, and it is only about $700 to fix, so would rather not have the claim made against the insurance. Save it for if something bigger happens