Dakota gurus... help a newbie out
 

Hey everyone...

All the cards on the table, I am a huge volkswagen nerd so I am diving into the deep end when it comes to domestic trucks... owned a jeep here and there so I am not totally in the dark.

I am going to look at a 2004 Dodge Dakota this weekend.... beautiful body... owner says he doesn't have oil pressure and doesn't want to figure out whats wrong.... doesn't sound like a wrencher.

Without dropping the pan, is there any quick checks I could do to determine this more of an electrical/sensor problem? I have read the sensors are pretty bad on these vehicles... I'll look for any possible signs of leaks... oil level... fuses etc... but I am hoping this is a quick/inexpensive fix.

Cheers

I assume it's a 4.7L engine. If it truly lost all pressure, the engine would clatter from stavation. Usually it's just the sender, or oil pressure switch. On the 4.7L, you can find it underneath, right by the oil filter. You can check oil pressure by unscrewing it and attaching an oil pressure gauge.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/dodgefo...e0ac50c205.png

I suppose one way to test it would be to bring a new sensor with you swap it and see what happens if the owner lets you test it?

The owner might say thanks! No longer for sale.

Yea either test may void the sale if done on spot. Only thing that could be the problem other than the sensor is a plugged up oil pickup.

Thanks for the help everyone!

I am going to look at it Wednesday... I may just bite the bullet and take it home... if its bearings, I suppose its a summer project :icon_headbang: but the pickup tube and sensor are what I am reading and still within my automotive spectrum.

Cheers for the help! I'll let you know what happens.

If the engine sounds smooth and the gauge is at zero, it's probably just the sender. I'd still base my price as if the engine were done.

What is the asking price? And for that matter what are the particulars on the truck? V8? V6? Stick? Auto? Club Cab? 4 door? Inquiring minds want to know!

If the oil pressure was truly at 0 you would know it.. Would knock like no other.. If the guy is letting it go for cheap get it.. At worst since its in good shape you could always part it out..

Hey guys!

The vehicle in question is:

2004 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V8 Automatic 4x4
I am not sure what model level...

Has 135XXX kilometres on it with a match set of new tires... bought it for $1750. Here is the listing:
http://www.usedvictoria.com/classifi...blems_27743063

I am having it towed to the house tomorrow morning to take a look. I'll put in a sensor first and start it up briefly. P/O says the gauge was bouncing around and parked it. Also said he took it to a shop and they didn't tell him much other then it had no pressure but didn't want to pay for the pan to be dropped... wasn't clear if he had any work done. He just parked it. At any rate, its the original owner and the truck is immaculate so even if its a sensor, or pick up tube.. or pump (which from reading is rare?) or bearings, I think I'll have come out ahead.