Need some help. Have a 2001 V6 Dakota with 124k miles when idling (either cold or warm) in gear at stoplights the oil pressure bottoms out randomly and the check gauge light comes on. Put in park give it some gas and pressure returns. I'm using high mileage oil. I have already a bad Sending Unit replaced, problem reoccured within a couple days, then had the oil pan removed cleaned out and gasket replaced. Problem returned quickly so as a last resort had the oil pump replaced last week. One weekly later at a stoplight the oil pressure bottomed out again. Has anyone had this problem before and if we're you able to resolve. For you mechanics out there do you have any idea what I should do at this point. Can't afford to get a new car and can't afford to keep dumping money into this truck.

THanks

 

Put a mechanical gauge on it before you do anything else. The PCM controls the dashboard gauge so there can be a problem with any part of the circuit.

 

Did the oil happen to be Valvoline NextGen High Mileage?

 

Boy I tell you some of the new synthetic oils out now are almost like water I just started using the new Mobil 1 extra protection and its like water.

Engine developed a tapping for a month then vanished and is quiet now.

If you replaced the oil pump Its probably OK but a gauge to check it is advised to be sure