I have recently purchased a 150,000 mile strong SLT 4x4 that I am feeling like I made a bad purchase decision. Besides parting together what is turning out to be a full exhaust, all new guts to the drum brakes, needing upper and lower ball joints, hubs, discs and pads, leaf spring shackles (1 sheared yesterday and truck is lopsided), I am wondering what is left. I did notice alot of new oil components under the hood which leads me to believe they sold me this truck knowing of an oil pressure issue. I think.

Start the truck and you get a near 70 reading, five minutes later it drops to near 40 (maybe temp induced). Hear comes the problem (that damn chime). Pressure drops to zero, "check gauges" light comes on, sometime later it comes back up to 40. Could drop out again immediately or stay on for a minute or two. Sometimes it goes out and stays out for miles (highway)and many minutes (city). Highway is less likely to bring many interruptions but some do occur and the duration is much longer. Thought I could control it by throttle control, sometimes seemed to work and sometimes I had no effect. After searching for an explaination, I tried to add some "mystery oil" or something to that effect and though it helped reduce the frequency, it still happens (something about "sludging")

When the light is on and the Oil Pressure gauge reads zero, I do not hear any valve chatter at all or no different from normal, to suggest lack of oil at the top of the engine. No matter what the duration, no noticable engine performance changes can be felt or heard.

I can't afford to fail state inspection if all the parts that I would change have already been changed. What else can I do?

 

Did you test drive this monstonsity beefore the purchase? I feel terrible for your bad luck, but maybe a little TLC will make her run for another 150,000 miles. I will move this thread to the first generation Durango section,
FF

 

Ya man don't blame it on the truck blame it on the previous owners and their lack of maintenance. Sounds like you have the sludge build up in the oil pan blocking the oil pump. several reasons why this will occur, cheap oils like havoline, Quaker state ext.. or the plenum gasket.

 

reading this the fist thing that comes to mind is SLAP"you should of been thinking with yur dipstick jimmy" COMERICIAL

 

forget about it, tired and misread

 

Change the PCV valve.

Heres some great info:
5.9L loss of oil pressure
5.9L sudden complete loss of oil presure under hot/hauling conditions:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...-pressure.html
Testing results:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...ml#post1778597

 

After reviewing both articles, I'm not sure the first is the same problem I am having. I don't tow and the outside temp is all over the place. Truck temp remains constant. I am realizing that I have no control what so ever over this problem, or I can't "make" it happen. The second I am all for. Love me some Mobil 1.

What about the plenum gasket? Where is it and what is involved with changing it? Cracked hose with cavitation? How do I remove the sludge? How do I find half this stuff w/o knowing where it's at?

Many helpful pointers but I think alot of the basic stuff seems to be done.

and Yes I did test drive it. Obviously my spidey-sense wasn't working that day, so next time, can I use yours?

 

Go and spend the $4 for a new PVC please? See if that works first.


How would you know you have sludge, and why would you think you even could?????