Dodge Dakota engine problems

engine problem

10.0

really awful

Typical Repair Cost:

$2,700.00

Average Mileage:

129,500 miles

Number of complaints:

2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. had to pay for new engine (2 reports)

Helpful Websites About 1997 Dodge Dakota oil sludge resulting in engine failure

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #2

2007Jun 06

(reported on)

Dakota EX-CAB 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Oil sludge caused the engine to overheat, cracking the cylinder heads, which leaked oil with the anti-freeze and killed the engine. After some research, I found that it's a common problem with the 3.9L engine due to a flawed cooling design. The engine block doesn't cool adequately, resulting in hot spots which cooks the oil to sludge in some areas. The sludge builds-up and restricts oil flow which raises the engine temp even higher. Dodge replaced the oil pressure sending unit because it was indicating a loss of oil pressure when there was enough oil. I soon learned there wasn't anything wrong with the sending unit because it was alerting me that a serious problem was occurring. Dodge denied the engine had a design flaw and accused me of not changing the oil regularly. I'll NEVER buy a Dodge or Chrysler again!

davema

Natick, MA, USA

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problem #1

2007Feb 19

(reported on)

Dakota Sport 3.9 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

I bought the Dodge Dakota new in 1997. It's a 4x4 sport extend cab with a 3.9 V6. The engine locked up in it at 36,000 miles it was not under warranty because of the year. It happened again in 2002. The engine shop said the oil pump quit pump because of sludge. I told them I changed the oil every 3,000 miles. The engine shop said it is a problem on those 3.9 V6. But the Dodge will not own up to it. I had a new engine put in it. I have 80,000 miles on the new engine and it locked up now.

pirk

Killeen, Texas, USA

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