Hey everyone, ive been reading this forum to find answers to a problem with this truck. Ive tried a few of them and it hasnt worked so far. so let me know what you think.
I bought a 2000 dodge ram 1500 5.2 4x4. The owner said it had been sitting for a year and a half. It starts and runs fine but when driving it after a while the oil pressure drops suddenly, and sometimes will go back up suddenly. I read about the sludge problem on here so I flushed the oil 3 times. When I filled the oil the first time I noticed a lot of sludge under the valve cover where you fill the oil. I also dropped the oil pan, replaced the pump with a high flow pump and cleaned the oil pickup screen. I have never seen so mutch sludge in my life. after the 3rd flush the oil was kinda clean. I also replaced the oil switch, but Im still having the same problems. I got so frustrated that when the oil pressure droped again I just kept driving it for about 5 miles. I never heard the motor knock or anything that made me think the motor was starved of oil. Also, the more I drive it it seems like its starting to do it less and less.
So what do you guys think, with all that sludge maybe it will eventually clean it self out? Or do you think I shuld replace the switch again? I havent put a gauge on it yet because It does it when Im driving and when I stop it usually comes back up. Any other ideas? Thanks

 

i think the oil pump pick up is too close to the oil pan and that may be why it's dropping oil psi. when driving and it's ok at idle.

 

Possible engine damage may include; scored engine oil pump - damaged lead/tin overlay of crankshaft bearings (mains and rods) - damage to camshaft bearings - damage to lifters - damaged small end bearings of connecting rods - damage to bearings of engine timing/idler/accessory drive gear train
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