Lots of questions from different angles here. Objective is to get an adequate OCI going with the best products for dust filtration and engine wear issues.
I bought a 1999 Dodge Ram 5.9L Magnum V8 gas 4x4 with just under 200k miles on it in 2022.
Truck now has a little over 202,000 miles on it in 2024. Two previous owners both knew each other, first pampered it, second used it to tow his boat, runs well however am getting some concerns over a 10 point drop in oil pressure on the gauge from 40'ish to 30'ish that just started. No CEL, no warning lights. Gauges and cluster checks out fine, all working. Just keeping eyes on it.
Dodge recommends 10w30, previous owner used regular Mobil1 dino, no HM. I'm using dino (mostly Pennzoil) and afraid to switch to HM synthetic. Not burning oil. Changed oil today with Castrol dino (gtx?) and oem Mopar filter. 5 quarts goes out, 5 goes in, let it drip for 45 minutes already warmed up. (more later about this oil change).
Background issue is I moved to a very high wind area with blowing powdery dust and sand (think mica specks sparkling inside your air intake tube up to maf, at least on my vics). Hot dry desert summers cold winters sometimes down to 0. Truck's used to work out on the range with a gen in back, some 4 wheeling for work, hauling to the landfill, rarely goes over 55 mph or 2,500 rpms. Round trips on asphalt are either under 10 miles or under 25, maybe twice a month. Work on the range is minimal distances, it's just dusty and hot with some loads in back but never over 600# or so. Add to this I am over 100 miles rt from any mechanic shops, tire shops any type of Napa or Auto zone type deal so have to think things through ahead of time, order online, plan trips.
Main question is aimed at which OCI's are best ( and with what oil) for my climate and conditions, and any suggestions on a good air filter (debate?) like oiled versus paper. I have used oiled K n N on my crown vics and might switch back due to the aforementioned sparkle. The wind is no joke here and literally sandblasts objects and will enter any tiny opening. Just because your hood is closed haha doesn't mean you're not getting a grit bathed engine bay. My Dodge snorkel seems a little too loose fitting for my conditions here but think it's 'normal' slight play. New air intake gasket put on recently, cleaned the intake, not horribly dirty but dirty. One back clip on the Dodge air box is missing, my mechanic (before I moved up here) said nah that's no big deal. I don't hear sucking noises but am concerned for dirt entering, might look into a used oem if I can't buy new replacement.
Oil change today was done with a 10 quart lipped oil drain pan that was here on the property when I bought it. Wiped it out a bit but def not clean . I was swishing the pan like for gold, tipping it and found a few very small flakes of what seemed to be metal but the oil was washing up under the uncleaned lip too. No way to prove whether that was already in the pan or came from my oil. I have never heard any ticking, no clicks, taps, no hard starts, been a good truck and want to keep it this way. Saved this oil filter and ordered a filter cutter tool. Was going to send an oil sample out to Blackstone after I run through the HM Rislone I put in today and put fresh oil though next without the additive. My conundrum is I just don't drive it hard enough or long enough to rack up miles, and I frankly don't have the time for joyriding, I'm working. What are some suggestions for oil, oil and air filters, thoughts on switching to a 40 dino or a 10w30 synthetic? Dealership said once I switch from dino to synth I can't switch back, not so sure about that as I put pure synth and sometimes synthetic blend in my vics no big deal. I depend on this ranch truck and need it to last, it's been a good runner so any opinions/advice are very appreciated.
My idea is to run the Rislone with the Castrol now, try to drive a little faster and longer (not so simple around here), maybe change the oil and filter within one month, cut open the filter and check the metal count. Then either go a plain dino run for a Blackstone analysis or, add another Rislone HM treatment and conditioner (depending on what I find in the filter), run it again on new dino 10w30 / new filter, until I get an idea what's going on with this metal stuff. I'm trying to stay away from going full spazz mode n pulling the oil pan, replacing oil sensor, want to go slow and steady one thing at a time to minimize variables. I see no flatlines to 0 on the oil pressure gauge, it just warms up to an idle or light throttle 30, regular normal startup is 80 on the gauge with that holding with acceleration, might vary down to 60 depends rpms etc. It just never used to go below 40 on idle or coasting etc, that's the only concern (besides is the oil pump going out etc haha). After all this long wind hope am posting this in the right area lol.
I bought a 1999 Dodge Ram 5.9L Magnum V8 gas 4x4 with just under 200k miles on it in 2022.
Truck now has a little over 202,000 miles on it in 2024. Two previous owners both knew each other, first pampered it, second used it to tow his boat, runs well however am getting some concerns over a 10 point drop in oil pressure on the gauge from 40'ish to 30'ish that just started. No CEL, no warning lights. Gauges and cluster checks out fine, all working. Just keeping eyes on it.
Dodge recommends 10w30, previous owner used regular Mobil1 dino, no HM. I'm using dino (mostly Pennzoil) and afraid to switch to HM synthetic. Not burning oil. Changed oil today with Castrol dino (gtx?) and oem Mopar filter. 5 quarts goes out, 5 goes in, let it drip for 45 minutes already warmed up. (more later about this oil change).
Background issue is I moved to a very high wind area with blowing powdery dust and sand (think mica specks sparkling inside your air intake tube up to maf, at least on my vics). Hot dry desert summers cold winters sometimes down to 0. Truck's used to work out on the range with a gen in back, some 4 wheeling for work, hauling to the landfill, rarely goes over 55 mph or 2,500 rpms. Round trips on asphalt are either under 10 miles or under 25, maybe twice a month. Work on the range is minimal distances, it's just dusty and hot with some loads in back but never over 600# or so. Add to this I am over 100 miles rt from any mechanic shops, tire shops any type of Napa or Auto zone type deal so have to think things through ahead of time, order online, plan trips.
Main question is aimed at which OCI's are best ( and with what oil) for my climate and conditions, and any suggestions on a good air filter (debate?) like oiled versus paper. I have used oiled K n N on my crown vics and might switch back due to the aforementioned sparkle. The wind is no joke here and literally sandblasts objects and will enter any tiny opening. Just because your hood is closed haha doesn't mean you're not getting a grit bathed engine bay. My Dodge snorkel seems a little too loose fitting for my conditions here but think it's 'normal' slight play. New air intake gasket put on recently, cleaned the intake, not horribly dirty but dirty. One back clip on the Dodge air box is missing, my mechanic (before I moved up here) said nah that's no big deal. I don't hear sucking noises but am concerned for dirt entering, might look into a used oem if I can't buy new replacement.
Oil change today was done with a 10 quart lipped oil drain pan that was here on the property when I bought it. Wiped it out a bit but def not clean . I was swishing the pan like for gold, tipping it and found a few very small flakes of what seemed to be metal but the oil was washing up under the uncleaned lip too. No way to prove whether that was already in the pan or came from my oil. I have never heard any ticking, no clicks, taps, no hard starts, been a good truck and want to keep it this way. Saved this oil filter and ordered a filter cutter tool. Was going to send an oil sample out to Blackstone after I run through the HM Rislone I put in today and put fresh oil though next without the additive. My conundrum is I just don't drive it hard enough or long enough to rack up miles, and I frankly don't have the time for joyriding, I'm working. What are some suggestions for oil, oil and air filters, thoughts on switching to a 40 dino or a 10w30 synthetic? Dealership said once I switch from dino to synth I can't switch back, not so sure about that as I put pure synth and sometimes synthetic blend in my vics no big deal. I depend on this ranch truck and need it to last, it's been a good runner so any opinions/advice are very appreciated.
My idea is to run the Rislone with the Castrol now, try to drive a little faster and longer (not so simple around here), maybe change the oil and filter within one month, cut open the filter and check the metal count. Then either go a plain dino run for a Blackstone analysis or, add another Rislone HM treatment and conditioner (depending on what I find in the filter), run it again on new dino 10w30 / new filter, until I get an idea what's going on with this metal stuff. I'm trying to stay away from going full spazz mode n pulling the oil pan, replacing oil sensor, want to go slow and steady one thing at a time to minimize variables. I see no flatlines to 0 on the oil pressure gauge, it just warms up to an idle or light throttle 30, regular normal startup is 80 on the gauge with that holding with acceleration, might vary down to 60 depends rpms etc. It just never used to go below 40 on idle or coasting etc, that's the only concern (besides is the oil pump going out etc haha). After all this long wind hope am posting this in the right area lol.
As I stated, fix your air box clip somehow/someway. Yes it matters especially in dusty areas. And your dealership is also wrong that you can't switch between Dino & Syn oils. You can switch all day long, year-after-year.
). I've seen youtube vids of grown men struggling to get snorkels off and I'm female and meh so assuming mine's ummm 'stretched out' ahahahah 
. I really appreciate everyone's input here, hope this thread can help someone else, good stuff.
sounds weird but I can't wait to dig into my next oil change and filter hahaha and it's barely been 24 hours. Oil pressure still pegged solid at 30's.