1993 Dodge Dakota Trouble

[Arthur Trueblood]

I have 1993 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9 liter engine. This truck has gone through at least 4 or 5 catylitic converters. The truck seems to clog them up. The question is what clogs them up is the truck running too lean to rich, what. The truck also will misfire at the most unopportune times like at freeway speeds it spews blue smoke and looses power. You have to pull over to the side of the road. Now after a while you can drive away like nothing has happened. Now, the fuel pump has been replaced, the truck tunes new plug wires.new air idle motor has been replaced fuel filters. Question could a engine backfire intermittently like if a intake valve did not seat all the way and the vaporized fuel mixture be ignited by the spark plug or plugs and explode through out the engine, causing the blue smoke. please help if you know anyone with a similar problem or if you have had such a problem Please contact me with any info that you may have. thank you

[Gary Wallace]

Check your Coolant Temperature Sensor and all its wires and connections. A bad sensor or loose connection can cause the problem you described. It can also cause a severe rich condition that can clog your converter.

[Arthur Trueblood]

Thank you Gary for your suggestion. the coolant temperature sensor was replaced already, also the O2 sensor, we had the throttle body kitted, new intake manifold gasket, new fan belt, 2 new inkjetor connectors, replaced the fuel pump (in gas tank), distributer cap, rotor sparkplug wires, and plugs,pcv valve, still we are waiting for the truck to die again. This happens usually on the freeway a bang rattle rattle blue smoke and no power. You have to make your way to the side of the freeway and stop and wait. I really appreciate your input in this matter.I just hope that I find out what the problem is sooner or later I really like the truck we have had it since 1995 and do not want to replace it. thanks a lot you made a friend out here Arthur Trueblood