I have a 99 dakota 4x4 with the 5.2V8 "canadian version" (or so the dealer tells me due to the "GG" in the VIN). My girlfriend was driving my truck on the freeway when she noticed a "burning" smell coming out of the vents. Immediately she checked the guages and the CHECK GUAGES light illumated and my oil pressure was at 0. She immediately pulled off the freeway and turned the truck off, however she noticed a clunking/squealing sound coming from the engine before she turned it off. She got the truck home and when I got home I had a look at the truck and all the fluids are at the approprate levels. Not only that, I started the truck and I got slightly higher than normal oil pressure and a squealing sound out of the engine followed by a tiny knocking noise. I am very adament about keeping up on basic fluid changes and routine maintance on all of my vehicles but this one has me stumped. Any ideas as to what may be going on in my beloved 5.2??? Please help!!..

 

squealing is usually belt slippage or a bad something on the accessory line like an AC clutch or something. that wouldn't explain your check gauges and zero oil pressure. i will say that its common for the ground on the dash wiring harness to get loose and cause all of your lights to turn on, i saw it on my sisters durango. perhaps you actually have 2 problems. start by identifying the squealing since you can replicate that problem. look for a worn belt, check your fan clutch and A/C clutch. you should be able to find the squeal without taking anything apart. then check all of your grounds, refer to the wiring diagram in your repair manual for the big ones.

 

Every noise is internal. Im thinking "new engine" just to get rid of all the hassle. However I am open to other, more financially friendly, ideas..Anyone?

 

The no oil pressure could be caused by an oil pump going bad. The noise could be from weak oil pressure over a period of time just wearing things out quickly. Also check the sending unit for the oil pressure.

 

i bet you spun a bearing... thats worst case scenario. maybe when it happened, some junk got sucked up on pump screen in the oil pan causing it to lose pressure. then after you turned it off, and started it back up, it was able to suck in oil again.... just a theory. that is all based on the assumption that every noise you're hearing is in fact internal. i'd say drop the oil pan and if a bunch of crap falls out... you're in trouble.

 

Awesome. Im good for droppin the pan. Ill do it in the next day or two. Time permitting. Thanks for the options guys its been a great help!

 

let us know how it turns out.