My vehicle- 97 Dakota v8 5.2 148k automatic 4x4


For the past few months my trucking has been burning a lot of oil and I know I don't have any leaks. My oil gauge pivots when I stop but when I accelerate the pressure goes to 45. I had a mechanic look at the truck and he noticed my exhaust was really black which indicated burned oil I guess. He said, either I have a internal oil leak or the oil pump is failing and my bet is the oil pump. I'm going to replace the oil pump and clean out everything myself. Is there something else I should replace while I got the oil pan off?

What Do you guys think?

any tips?

Thanks

 

Main bearings and rear oil seal.

Replace the pump with a high volume instead of a high pressure, if there is a choice. If the choices are high pressure and standard, go with the standard pump. If a high volume is offered take that.

 

High volume pump better for dakotas? How hard is it to change main bearings and rear oil seal?