Purchased our 99 D, 5.2L 4X4 with 54,000 and 2 years this Memorial Day was pulling the boat and the oil pressure fell right out going up a hill. Wife said prior that the gauge was acting weird, go figure, I haven't heard the last of that. Long story short, found an old school mech. Should have found him b4 i bought the darn thing, he pulled theoil panand scooped off the sludge. $1500 later (crank kit) he said I get another 200K out of her. I'm at 120k it happened at 96K, I can honestly say that all the hoopla 'bout sludge is overrated. I just bought a D that wasn't loved properly.You sound pretty handy, so if your worried 'bout the sludge issue just pull the valve cover and take a gander. If I'm wrong with this thought someone please correct me. I hope it's just a sending unit, better be early than seized.

 

Well the oil pressure dropped to nothing while I was driving, had it towed to the dealer and they replaced the sending unit. Showing pressure again but when I start it cold there is no oil pressure for at least 5-10 seconds and the check gauges light is on. Then the pressure will finally come up and it will be ok. Also, during that 5-10 seconds you can hear a little valve noise like there is no oil getting to the top end. I am thinking it is either the oil pump getting ready to go or possibly the sludge problem I hear so much about. I think I am going to try some additives, switch to synthetic and if that isn't an immediate fix, its oil pump time. Any idea how much it costs to get the pump replaced?

 

Jimwal:
Based upon the updated info you have provided, I think if it were me I would pull the oil pan and clean out any gunk I found, and probably replace the oil pump. From the way it sounds, the anti-drain back function of the pump is not working, and you are taking several seconds to build pressure which is surely not good for the bearings. Even if you don't find any gunk in the pan, something is causing the pressure issue. I would kind of hesitate to just flush it out of concerns that what ever may be in there could break loose and clog things when you least expect it and cost you the whole engine.
I assume you are using an oil filter with at least the same quality of the factory filter so there is not question about drainback issues internally.

Don

 

Dude, that is what my wife described, as long as not 4x4 you can do what is said above and you'll be fine. With the 4x4 I took it to my mech, sinceI was going to have do so much work getting around extra axle. Drop the pan clean it and replace oil pump, you should be golden. Sorry, but good luck!

 

Current oil gauges on the Ds are not real good. If you are overly concerned, get a real gauge and drive around a week watching it and seeing what it does. For the less than a hours labor and less that $50 for even a good gauge, it is cheaper and easier. You may find out like I said, the D's oil gauges are not all that good or reliable. I forget what year you have, but after 2000 they got worse and worse and now on the Gen2s... are basically for looks ('98-'00s on the original D interior had good gauges.) The Gen1 interior redesign had cheap temp and oil gauges. Now, the face reading on a Gen2 has very little relevance to reality. Its a simulated gauge - not actual pressure

http://www.dodgetrucks.org/forums/vi...er=asc&start=0

IndyDurango

 

Oil pump is getting replaced this week. Only gonna cost $1000, fun, fun, fun.....

 

Do the labor yourself for a fraction of the price...

 

Big job, I also live in an apartment complex and we arent allowed to work on our cars, part of the lease. It was a lot easier when I was working as a mechanic, yourealizehaving the lifts and other mechanics advice when doin a job is a really good thing.

 

I hear ya on that. If my apts. ever told me I couldn't do my work I'd probably tell them to go to hell even though it's in my lease. But then again they screwed me over pretty good so I'd be happy if they kicked me out after that.

 

Jimwal:
Sorry to hear that the fix is a bit pricey, but glad to hear that you are making progress. Hopefully this will be the cure and you will then enjoy many trouble free miles in your D. BTW, how many miles on it??