Dodge Ram 4x4 4.7L Question

[Artjr]

I just bought a Dodge Ram 2005 with a 4.7L and 60,000 miles on the motor. Since the truck has to last me another 100 years (LOL) I tend to take good care of my vehicles. I plan on using Valvoline Max life syn in the motor. But here is my question never owned one of these engines but have heard they have small oil returns in the heads thus sludge can be a problem. The truck call for 5w30 do you think at least in winter 5W -20 would be ok??? Also with 60,000 miles do you think sludge could already be a problem? If so what would you recommend to clean the engine of sludge or will the Valvoline extended life do that?
Since father is a retired Valvoline employee I use all their products and trust them.
Also plan on using WIX synthetic filters or NAPA Platinum as they are the same filter.

 

[fdcg27]

I'd personally use Maxlife SB. This may be the best oil Valvoline offers. I see no advantage in the full syn.
The 4.7 is an oddball engine that is known for sludge but if the engine has had regular oil changes in its 60K, then it should be okay.
All of the engines of this SOHC engine family have left production which might tell you something.
How do you drive the truck?
You live where it does get cold and if the vehicle will be mainly driven locally with no long runs during the winter, then a 5W-20 would probably be okay.
OTOH, whether you use a 5W-20 or a 5w30, either grade meets the 5W qualification, so there may be no advantage in using the 5W-20 grade. It would be safer to stick with what Chrysler recommended.
Good luck with this truck. Chrysler followed where Ford led and GM never went. Ford OHC V engines have done well in service and Chrysler's not so much.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Our 2006 Durango with the 4.7 has almost 150,000 on it with whatever 5w30 conventional oil is on sale at the time, and whatever Fram (or similar) filter is cheapest. It uses no noticeable oil between biannual oil changes. I had to go to town this morning (-18F) and it started and ran just like normal.

Just use a decent quality conventional, don't try to overthink it, and it will be fine.

 

[Jimzz]

Later 4.7s call for 5w20, my 2007 calls for that weight. I run a HM 5w30 though. If you are running a HM or Syn oil I would stick with 5w30.

Also clean out the PCV lines with carb cleaner.

 

[SEMI_287]

We put over 200k miles on our 2000 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L. It had everything from 15w40 to 0w20. No consumption between oil changes and no sludge, top or bottom end. I replaced the oil pan at 150k and only varnish on the bottom, took off the valve covers to track down a tick, no sludge, light varnish.

There was an issue with condensation under the oil fill cap. A revised PCV valve and tubing fixed that.

Run whatever 5w30 Valvoline you wish and forget about it! I Highly doubt you have sludge unless the truck was neglected. The sludge myth needs to die as well.

 

[Lyman]

My 4.7 has 163,000 miles and shows no signs of sludge. It has been on a diet of dino 5w30 and 10w30 all its life. I have a record of every oil change since new.

 

[Camprunner]

I had a 4.7 in a Dodge Durango don't recall the year off hand I put 150,000 trouble free miles on it. I ran 5w30 in the winter and 10w30 in the summer always synthetic and what ever was on sale at WM. Also thousands of miles running WM Superteck synthetic the motor ran fantastic when I sold it quiet no ticks or weird noises and it burned no oil at all oil changes were between 5,000-7,500 miles depending on use.

 

[Chris142]

Biggest problem with those is the valve seats falling out of the heads. Oveheating them will almost guarantee them to fall out.

 

[DemoFly]

4.7s have a reputation for sludge based on condensation (from being short tripped) in the valvecovers and oil filler tube, not headflow.

 

[fcjeep]

I'm the original owner of a 2006 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L that now has 145K miles on it. Purrs like a kitten. Burns no oil. Very reliable truck. I've always done 5K OCIs or less (mostly less) with whatever name brand 5W or 10W-30 dino or synthetic that was on sale/clearance.

AFAIK there's no sludge. The early 4.7s had the PCV in the oil fill tube which is offset in front of the passenger side head. I understand this is what caused some early sludge issues. By the time my year came out they moved the PCV to the rear of the driver's side near the firewall.

It's been a great engine so far. Don't EVER let it overheat though as the valve seats will drop out, or so I'm told.

If you check Allpar.com 200K club, you'll see lots of 4.7s that have way over 200K on them.

Good luck with your truck.

 

[hemitruck]

we traded in wifes 2004 grand cherokee limited with the 4.7, owned since new, this year. had 260000 plus miles on it. mopar filter and 5w30 M1, 5000 mile oci and never an issue. i did replace valve cover gaskets at around 180000 miles. i found the 4.7 to be a great engine.

 

[KCJeep]

A local dealer here says "If it's a Chrysler with a .7 anything in it, you don't want it". I don't agree with that statement, although there is some basis to it mostly caused by the disaster 2.7 IMO.

As mentioned here, overheating is the biggest threat to the 4.7 engine. Do your maintenance but be very diligent about making sure the cooling system it tip top and I'd expect you'll have no troubles.

 

[Artjr]

Hey guys thanks for all the good advice. Plan on changing anti-freeze and all differential and transfer-case oils and trans-fluids and filters too. I hope to run her for ever. LOL My last truck was is a Nissan frontier with 300K on her. Always had very good luck with MOPARS in the past hope this one is no different.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Make sure you use HOAT coolant...no Prestone or universals. Zerex GO5 is good, can get it at Advance or Napa. The wrong coolant really messes things up in these, seen it on many many 3.7 Libertys.

 

[fcjeep]

+1 on the Zerex GO5.

 

[Artjr]

Yep already had it on my shopping list! Zerox is a Valvoline product!! LOL