2001 Dodge Dakota Oil Pressure

[yeehaw1960]

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with the 4.7 (smaller V8) engine. When I first start it, the oil pressure is on the high side of the normal range on the gauge. When it gets warmed up to operating temperature, the pressure goes down to the bottom line of the normal range. The dealer (way back when) said that the pressure at the engine was good and the gauge wasn't the best on this model. When it idles at a light with the truck in drive is when the pressure seems low. While driving, it's within the normal range. It idles (in gear) at about 550 RPMs. Any opinions or information from those who have been on this forum a while or who have had experience with this engine?

 

[D189379]

I have no experience with that engine, but the pressures you mentioned seem bang on.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I have a 3.9, not a 4.7 but the oil pressure you describe sounds normal to me too. The oil pump is mechanically driven by the engine so naturally at lower RPM or at a stop light it will read lower. It's also normal to have lower oil pressure at operating temps, as the oil thins out when it gets hot.

 

[rslifkin]

If you're concerned, check it with a mechanical gauge. The factory ones aren't always terribly accurate.

 

[OSDCrusher]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
If you're concerned, check it with a mechanical gauge. The factory ones aren't always terribly accurate.


+1

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
If you're concerned, check it with a mechanical gauge. The factory ones aren't always terribly accurate.


And they're not even gauges, even if they have numbers on there. They're programmed to operate as you might expect them to, but they're typically nothing more than a graphical idiot light.

 

[rslifkin]

I'm not sure on the Dodge pickups, but the Jeep versions are actual gauges (although electronic). They're just not always terribly accurate.

 

[yeehaw1960]

I was only worried because when it got to operating temp and I was idling at a stop light, it would be pegged to the very lowest level to the left. I think it idles a little too low at 550 RPM.

 

[morris]

when i started driving, in the dark ages, my dad told me, about oil gauges, that if the pressure gauge goes up with the engine rpm its ok. one thing, chrysler gauges work only good enough. on a gas gauge, if you have 20 gal gas tank and the needle is at half, it does not mean you have 10 gal. it means you have somewhere between 1/4 to 3/4 tank.

 

[rslifkin]

Yeah, my Jeep is like that. The 5/8 mark on the gas gauge is really about a 1/2 tank. What should be an 1/8 of a tank worth of gas is really the difference between 1/8 and 3/8. The farther down the gauge you get (away from full), the faster it moves.

 

[mechtech2]

The sending unit and the gauge itself are not made for NASA.
And they are not going to remain exactly the same for their life.
You may be just fine.
A real gauge is the only way to tell.
But I don't think you have a problem.