Hi,
I bought my first Dodge ram a couple of days ago and the first thing I want to do is new engine oil.

It is a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 4.7l V8 and manual transmission.

I thought okay oil change, no biggie so I started to do some research in the internet which oil is the best, but this was a mistake ...
Now I'm a bit confused and afraid of doing something wrong ...
I read the best is to stay with the oil which has been used in the past if it works good and use synthetic oil for this engine because of the sludge.

I talked to old owner he told me, he always filled in Castrol 5W30 synthetic.

So now my question:

I brought the truck to a pre-pruchase inspection and the mechanic noted that there is a minor leak in the front main seal.

I was thinking about getting castrol 5W30 high mileage oil, because I read that it might helps sealing minor leaks.

Do you guys think it is a good I idea to change to that oil?

 

I wouldn't change from using the synthetic oil and get the seal fixed. You will be better off in the long run. Enjoy your Dodge!!

 

If the front main seal is leaking you better get it fixed soon, because it won't get any better.

Front Main Seals are hard to diagnose unless that mechanic really got up in the engine bay to look.

For stuff like that always get a second opinion, it's well worth it and can save you big $$$ if the mechanic is trying to take you for a ride...

Royal Purple is a little more Expensive but is a fantastic Synthetic oil... the only oil that I had analyzed that was better was a brand called Motul... http://fastwrx.com/mo81ec5wmooi.html

The Motul oil is by far the best oil I've used, and if they made a 5w-20 for my 5.7L Hemi, I'd be using it 100% of the time.

Hope that helps, and welcome to Dodge Forum!

 

I would have to get my serpentine belt changed as well, because it is squealing, would it make sense to do that at the same time?
How long does it take to change that seal?
I guess I should get the shop to put in new engine oil when they doing this as well, as it has to be drained to change that seal right?

Edit:
Do I really have to fix that soon? The mechanic wrote its minor and the is no oil spots under the truck.

 

Personally I don't like any fluid leaks period. I would get the second opinion on it though just to make sure first mech was right. I am not sure how soon it would need to be done, but to be safe until it is done, keep a close eye on your oil level. Stay with synthetic oil. You are gonna find a wide array of answers on which oil is best on here. No idea of time to change the seal. But I would think it had to be drained to do so.

 

Another note is the maintenance items such as coolant flush and fill, diff's, etc. if you don't know when they were last done, I would certainly invest some time and do them myself or pay to have them done for peace of mind. Check your owners manual if available it will outline time/mileage when those things should be done.

 

All depends on how badly it is leaking... get under the truck with a flashlight and look for oil on the bottom/sides of the engine and engine bay.

If you see oil in there, then it's safe to say you should get it taken care of sooner rather than later.

 

Well I just got back from that shop, the mechanic who did the inspection said he would not worry about this seal yet. He said just keep an eye on the oil lvl and if it starts leaking badly he would recommend to change it.

I will have him probably to replace my steering pump and the serpentine belt, he said he will have a look if it is one of the 4.7l engines where you can change the seal from the front.

Yes I planned extra money on changing the oil in both diffs and the transfer case. The coolant looks brand new and the old owner said he had it flushed and changed before the winter. (it gets pretty cold here)

But I noticed that the temperature went down when I was using the engine break (I gear down before I start hitting the brakes)

The temperature of the coolant went down from a half to 1/3 of the scale, and when I was driving it went up again. I have never seen something like this before, maybe the sensor needs to be replaced?

When I drive and the truck is not moving the gauge stays in the middle of the scale.