just got the truck it was at the shop getting new brake lines and now has no oil pressure, it is a 1986 dodge w150 318 anything you guys would know aout what could cause this or what to look for because i really did not even want to dump the money to get the brake lines done let alone getting the oil pressure fixed, there is no oil pressure reading on the gauge it stays on the low side with no movement even when started and i do not want to start it or let it run since it is getting no oil, the mechanic told me that there was no oil going under the valve covers that is all i know so far, so any help would be very much appreciated, thanks nick

 

Your oil pump could be bad, but I would double check the mechanics word first. Pull off a valve cover and let it run for a few seconds and see if oil flows. Usually a low reading is because the sending unit for the gauge is faulty.

 

it is not getting any oil under the valve covers when running, so basically if it is getting oil under the valve covers then it would be a faulty oil sending unit, but if its not getting any oil under the valve covers its most likely the oil pump--how much does the oil pump and the labor cost of fixing it cost? i would do it myself but it is below freezing outside and i do not have a garage to work on it, thanks

 

I cant see the engine just all of a sudden loose oil pressure, you sure the sending wire didnt get knocked loose.have you changed the oil in it lately. was there any sludge in it? maybe the oil pump pickup and screen is clogged. a new oil pump is around $60-80, labor should be between 1-2 hours at the going rate.

 

My question is have you double checked your mechanics word? Before I started tearing into it, I would check that for myself. He may just want the money for doing some unneeded work.

 

well......good news i just went over to the shop to give it one last start up befor i give up on it and started perfectly, still no oil pressure, gave it 2 swift steps on the gas and wham up went the gauge, there are major sludge problems i think

 

At least that`s easy to fix.