I have just bought a 01 Durango. I have noticed that when at idle the oil pressure gauges rests steadily at dead center. When I accelerate and maintain speed the gauge moves the to 3/4 line so I imagine still in the safe zone. I was told by a friend that I need an oil pump. Could this be a good diagnosis? Is there anything else that it could be?

 

As long as it isn't going to the 1/3rd line, you should be fine. Flux from 1/2 to 3/4 is no problem/normal. If that is what you are explaining/experiencing, your friend is wrong.

IndyDurango

 

Yes it's very normal for oil pressure to go up with RPM's. All cars do that, my TA pegs the gauge when I go wot. .

 

yep its normal the gauge will move based on rpms and as long as it stays between the two hash marks (1/3 and 2/3) you have nothing to worry about

 

This is because the oil pump speeds up and more pressure is created as the oil pushes through the bearings thus when the throttle is depressed more pressure. Also the owner could have installed the wrong oil so do an oil change with 10W-30 Fully Synthetic and a OEM filter both available through Wal-mart for cheap to ensure the integrity.