Let me start by saying this truck has been a constant battle to keep running good ( T-case, wheel bearing, etc... all within the past month ). It's a 99' Dakota with a 99 Ram 360 engine in it with headers, and a 99 318 computer.

My temp gauge hasnt worked great since I got it ( tpyical late 90's dodge cluster ) and I havent been running a tstat.

It started to leak coolant from the water pump, and I'm suspecting it may have overheated, but I'm not completely sure? It took about one gallon of coolant when I noticed the leak ( figured that seemed reasonable? )

When I noticed the leak also, I had shut the truck off at the gas station and it did not want to restart at first. Lots of backfiring, studdering, wouldn't rev over 3k rpm, then hesitant till 4k, then came out of it.

First start of the day it starts HARD. Turns over fine, and will fire for a second, the motor will try to keep running but it just putts a couple revolutions and dies and it gives you the sound of compression releasing. Eventually it starts, idles rough for a couple seconds, then idles great and runs great.

So I know I'm more than likely dealing with a compression issue here. All numbers were taken MULTIPLE times ( Tested each hole 3-5 times ) and here are the numbers I came up with:

BACK
150 - 115
130 - 130
155 - 135
165 - 110
FRONT

I know I obviously have some abnormal numbers here and there's an issue. Don't know if I'm dealing with piston rings, or a valve issue...maybe both?

I'm pretty broke right now, so I'm thinking I'll have to save a little and bite the bullet and just buy a motor to do a swap with.

I will also say I'm an OK mechanic but I'm only 19 and don't have the experience to diagnose some issues.

 

compression is ok. not the cause of your problem.

try pressing the gas pedal when cold starting. that opens the normally closed throttle plate and bypasses the IAC.

try giving it a shot of starting fluid when cold starting just to see if it helps any. whether it does or not - test your fuel pressure with a gauge at the fuel rail test port. some local parts stores will rent them out.

do you have a cat and could it be plugged up?

how's you plug, cap, rotor, wires? reasonable condition?

 

Well, since most people that resolve issues don't post up after ( leaving search results useless ), I'd like to give my diagnosis and resolution:

Timing chain jumped several teeth
Water pump basically exploded

Resolution:
Replacing timing chain + water pump

Runs good as new!

 

How many miles were on that?

 

Good question. The body of the truck ( 99 Dakota 3.9 ) has 230k, the guy claimed the motor had 50k ( As if I believe what everyone tells me ). I'd guess it had more than that, but the timing chain had been prior to me doing it ( opened it up and found a double roller chain and a felpro gasket ).

This truck doesn't exactly see low RPM very often either. Our roads are 50-55mph almost everywhere I drive, and when it's not on the main roads it's off the road hitting rev limiter.

 

A double roller chain jumped teeth? Wow..... that would be a LOT more than 50K miles. I have never seen one jump, even at 200K+ miles..... interesting.

 

I'm surprised it's running as good as it is on a 318 PCM with no tuner.