When the 2001 dakota sits and idles it will go all day. As soon as it is put in gear once hot oil guage will go to zero until the accelerator is pushed. I have replaced the snesor. It also tends to start to overheat.
thoughts?

 

Welcome to the forum.

What engine?

Start by using a mechanical oil pressure gauge to verify the pressure.

 

it's the 4.7L v8 with 4WD & tow Package crew cab

 

How's the oil and what grade?

Check the oil pressure with a good mechanical gauge.

The overheating is not a good sign. Is the clutch fan working? It should start to roar if you're getting hot.

 

The oil and filter are new and I used Mobile 1 full synthetic 5w/20. The oil still looks fantastic. I will look into a mechanical Oil Pressure Tester.

 

I also have 2001 4.7L V8, my owners manual calls for 5w30 or 10w30. Not sure if the oil you put in would cause this issue, but it's not the recommended oil.

 

Dodge dealerships converted to 5W20 as standard fill for the Dakotas/Durangos many years ago. I've been running 0W20 for a long time. No oil pressure issues.

 

Oh, I was unaware. Why is that?

 

I should have specified...for the 4.7L. The trucks after 2004 with 4.7 were spec'd for 5W20. It wasn't like the engine really changed much and they eventually included all 4.7L, including the earlier ones. If you pull into a dealership for an oil change, that is what you will get.

Oil technology keeps improving. Have seen 0W20 outperform 5W30 and 10W30 in torture tests time and time again. 0W20 = 5W20 at normal operating temps, but flows faster on startup. My truck runs like a sewing machine on it and has original timing chain at nearly 300K. Oil changes are every 7500 mile and it's still a dark honey color, not black.

 

Have you checked you thermostat to make sure it's opening? Easy way to check it is to take it and put it in a pot of boiling water to see if it opens.