Hi everyone, I picked up a durango (2001 5.9 100k) a few months ago. Changed all the fluids including oil. Truck is spec'd at 10w-30, I put in 5w-30 mobil 1 for the first 3k miles and changed out back to 10w-30 mobil 1 afterwards. I noticed I had burnt close to 2 quarts when I did my first oil change, yikes. The knucklehead before me probably didn't take good care of the truck as he had BSed.

So what I want to find out is the oil pressure dropping right to the lower line when idling in traffic normal? My 4.7 never drops this low. I am right on the line here while on a drive thru line.

 

It's probably fine. I've heard that some years just had the gauge sit in the middle if the pressure was within a certain range. On my 99 the middle of the gauge is marked 40 psi.

If you're burning oil, look down in the intake. Chances are the plenum gasket is blown and it's pulling oil into the intake and burning it.

 

I have the older gauges as well. Mine usually reads between the lower mark and 40. So you’re probably good with where it’s sitting. And yes they will drop a little oil pressure at idle. My 5.9 always has dropped a little bit of pressure at idle. As far as it burning oil, yes check the plenum. And don’t put too thin of oil in these. I run 10w40 in mine with 262xxx just to make it not burn any oil within 3000 miles. If I put 10w30 in it’ll oil just like yours did. I’m not sure where it’s burning it but it has never smoked once since I’ve owned it.

 

In mine (same model and motor) I see around there at idle, but if I'm driving it's normally a little higher. When I see that level while driving I know it's time to add oil (slow leak). 10w30 here.

 

Thought I'd add too that I have a separate oil pressure gauge and the factory gauge isn't exactly accurate most of the time.

Idle warmed up.


Idle still warming up.

 

Ok just wanted to make sure on the oil pressure. Don't know much about the oil pump on these trucks and was worried.

Fearing the plenum leak I took a look today as I was doing my tune-up and luckily I don't see any oil deposits when I peek inside the intake looks pretty clear.

 

Warmed up and idling just half an hour ago.

 

I should have mentioned that I was in drive while on the drive thru line. This is also the case when I stop at a light.

 

It’s probably a little lower then knowing that there’s a load on the engine so your rpms will be slightly lower. But I still don’t think it’s an issue

 

I'd be more concerned by the 2 qt part, not the needle.