Oil Pressure Issue

[atc250r]

Vehicle is a 1997 Dodge Ram 360 (5.9 gas). Vehicle has 198,000 miles. I am the original owner and have changed oil every 3000 miles since new. Right now, the current oil has about 2000 miles on it, and it still looks clean on the dipstick, so sludge shouldn't be an issue. About 50,000 miles ago, the oil pressure, when at a warm idle, began to be noticeably lower on the gauge than it was when new. Yesterday I finally changed the sending unit with an OEM one from my Dodge dealer, but the issue persists. The gauge also "jumps around" a very slight amount. Often though, once I am cruising at speed the pressure reads as high as it ever did (approximately 40psi). The truck is all original and is in excellent shape, so I want the engine to last another 100k. The oil pan has never been removed, but I'm thinking of replacing the oem oil pump with a high volume one, to compensate for the internal bearing wear. Thoughts?

 

[oggb]

Thicker oil?

 

[Chris142]

Put a real oil pressure gauge on it. The stock electric guages are worthless.

 

[SEMI_287]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Put a real oil pressure gauge on it. The stock electric guages are worthless.


+1

 

[morris]

if you put a real gauge on only use steel break line. a nylon, or cooper line WILL FAIL. why do you think the factory uses steel for fuel lines. if the oil pressure comes up with the rpm its ok. been there done that bought the tee shirt.

 

[atc250r]

Update!!

I replaced the sending unit about 2000 miles ago, but my gauge read exactly the same as before (a little low). But here is where it gets good...

2 weeks ago I was driving down a gravel road at about 60 mph with my window down. I hit a huge washout that bottomed out the suspension pretty bad. Soon after, I heard some noise, but because the window was down it was hard to tell what it was. Well I looked at the tach and it was at 5500 rpm (redline is 5000)! The transmission has shifted into neutral from the huge bump! I'm guessing it was at the high rpm for about 5 seconds or so. I put it back in Drive, and ever since then my oil pressure gauge has read higher. Pretty much exactly where it should be, as far as I am concerned.

My best guess is that the high rpm allowed the pump to clear a partial blockage somewhere in the system, or it sucked something through the pick-up screen that was perhaps restricting flow. Anyway, I'm happy now.

Guess I gave it an unintended "Italian Tune Up". If you're not familiar with that term, google it. Worked for me!

 

[mechtech2]

Keep an eye on it.