1999 Dodge Dakota wise buy?

JESSICARABBIT

MEMBER
1999 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

I'm in the process of buying a '99 dodge dakota v8 truck from a friend but I went to put antifreeze in the truck and on the passenger side wheel well we saw the antifreeze leaking out faster thn we were putting it in. What could this problem be? How much am I looking at for a repair? Is it safe to drive long enough to get it to a mechanic?

Saturday, January 17th, 2009 AT 7:12 PM

3 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

To better assist you is this just a Dakota or an RT model?

It depends on where it is leaking from. Is it coming out of the overflow container? A torn hose?

Can you be more specific?

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Saturday, January 17th, 2009 AT 8:06 PM

JESSICARABBIT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I honestly know nothing about trucks, all I know is I poured antifreeze in and it was coming straight out. The guy im buying the truck from said its a freeze plug, does that sound right?

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Saturday, January 17th, 2009 AT 10:45 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

If it is coming out of a freeze plug or expansion plug, then no, you cannot drive it. Your engine will overheat and be ruined.

Depending on the location it isn't that bad to fix. The part is only about 5 dollars.....

If you don't have someone that could help you with this then I would have it towed to a reputable auto repair shop. Call around and ask first to several recommended places. Have a friend verify that is what it is, then ask the shop how much they would charge.

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Sunday, January 18th, 2009 AT 12:29 AM