I got a 98 Ram 1500 with 318.
Having some issues with oil pressure which I think is being caused by sludge in the oil pan and sticking to screen, So I was wondering if it's a good or bad thing to supplement a litre of tranny fluid in with next oil change as I have been told it is a detergent and can break down sludge and clean parts of engine.
So what do you guys thing is it something worth doing or bad idea?

 

I use motor flush periodically just before my oil change to help clean out my engine, which is effectively the same as using a quart of transmission fluid. I follow the directions on the motor flush can, but I typically let the engine run longer than specified on the can to give the engine a good cleansing.


In your case, can't hurt and might help.

 

I had similar problems but mine was due less to sludge and more to little bits of gaskets and random things. A LOT can happen to an engine in 200k miles.

Either way the stock pickup tube has a silly little cover on the screen with a iddy bitty slit in for the oil to suck up. Aftermarket just has an uncovered screen which makes a lot more sense to me

 

im going through this simular problem now,took the pan off this past weekend,found all kinds of crap built up on the screen,id say 75% of screen was clogged,but,just to be sure,im gonna replace all rod and main bearings as well as new oil pump and pickup screen,i was gonna try draining my oil at first and dumping a quart or two of some diesel or kerosine in and let it soak over night,then drain the next day and put oil back in,but,after looking at the inside of my pan,i dont think it would have worked,theres a huge nut that the drain plug screws to inside the pan,id say at least a half inch of oil stays in the pan during and oil change,so any debree is just gonna fall to the bottom and stay in there!! very poor design by dodge...

 

When I swapped my motor out a few years ago, my oil pan was badly rusted and I wasn't a fan of its design either. Luckily, I found a good used Milodon 5.9 deep truck oil pan, along with the pickup and dipstick. Been very happy with it.

 

good thinkin Atomic,i think im gonna check milodons website for a new pan..lol..