Around 112,000. Yeah, I am thinking about getting a second car and using the D as a toy. I am either going to put some 32s on it this spring. I do want to do the body lift and get some 33's eventually.Anyone know if32x11.5s fitwith the stock 16x8 rims?

 

My mechanic just called me and said he was suprised to see that my durango had oil pressure at all. He called Dodge because he had never seen anything like the amount of sludge that was in my motor. I knew it! They gave him the lack of maintenance bit and he told me he was cleaning it out and replacing my pick-up screen as well. Said to run synthetic from now on. I am glad that I decided to just get it done. I can't wait to get it back tomorrow and see the difference! I am going to be poor for a couple weeks, but I feel better.

 

Jimwal:
Would be nice if he could take some digital pics of the mess before he cleans it up. I think you are making a good choice by going to synthetic for the remainder of its life.

I know that there are problem motors out there (DCX 2.7 and so on), but one does have to wonder if the previous owner either did not service it properly, and/or used crappy oil. IMO, I think many folks have taken the 7500 mile interval lised in the owners manual and used it when they should have been using the3k interval. Ibelieve that technology today is such that as long as one uses good quality oil/filters andchanges them every 3-4k, there should not be any issues.
I never could understand why anybody would risk an engine that could cost as much as 10K on some cars today by not doing good common sense oil service.

IMO there is a reason why MB, DCX, GM, and BMW spec synthetic oil forcertain vehicles. Unless the vehicle in question is a commercial vehicle racking up 3 k miles every week or two, I say spend the xtra bucks for the protection it offers

Especially if you do your own changes like I used to, the famous Walmart 5 qt jug and a good filter is less than 30 bucks. Here at home, we average 3-4 oil changes as year so the difference is ~$12 for dino or $25-30 for Mobil 1.

Now I take my D or the wifes GCV to the 5 star along with my jug, and they put the $5 factory filter on it and dispose of the old oil/filter for a grand total of $13. To top it off, I get a nice reciept documenting proper servicing should I need it for warranty service later on.

 

I would have your mechanic check the intake manifold gaskets. I think there was a TSB on the intake gasket for the 4.7's. Antifreeze can leak and mix with the oil causing sludge buildup over time so even with synthetic oil, it can still sludge up if mixed with antifreeze over time. Watch to see if your your antifreeze bottle ever loses antifreeze.

 

He tested the intake and head gaskets per my request and said that they were fine. He said it looked like some one hadn't changed the oil in 50,000 miles. He showed me the old oil pump with the slidge on it. It looks more like burned oil, it was really thick (almost dry looking) and black. If it is sludge caused from a coolant leak it usually looks more like grease (milkshake). This looked more like molasses that had been burned. It is running good now. Feels like it has more power, its not struggling as much as it was. I am changing the oil every 2500 from now on and using synthetic, with any luck it will just keep on getting better. That is a good idea with the picture, I picked the car up before I read you message though.