Quick Question:
I left this morning on a 800 mile trip in my 99 Dodge Ram 4X4 with the 318 engine.
Now I bought this truck in January and haven't driven it very much at all. Less then 2000 miles. Anyway about 140 miles into my trip I noticed the oil presure had dropped down to between 30 and 40 lbs. I checked the oil before leaving and again when I noticed it drop. The oil level is fine. So I babied it back home.
Does anyone know if this is a problem or is it just the warm weather and maybe thin oil from last winter. I haven't changed the oil since I've owned it because the dealer changed it prior to my buying it. Can somebody tell me if this is normal or might I have a bigger problem.
Thanks,

John

 

change the oil!! 30-40 is normal when driving.

 

It is preferrable to be running high pressure rather than low pressure. Mine wanders between 38psi and 43psi. I had the crankcase flushed the other day and the techs put Castrol high mileage synthetic in there. I was amazed at how clean the bottom end was when I dropped the pan.

Change the oil regularly lest you sludge up the engine.

 

Hmmmm

I had a buddy run a can of engine cleaner in the crank case when his old jeep had low oil pressure.

This is the clear crap in the can that they say let it run for 15 mins and change your oil twice to get it all out again.

I can only imagine the can of worms it might open up if you run it in a high milage engine but this stuff did clear the crap out of his engine and the oil pressure went up again...

 

Next time save yourself money and use either diesel or kerosene. Both are very high grade oil derivatives and can be used as lubricants. They are also ingredients of those high dollar engine cleaners.