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Budysr
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
18:37:22
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 Subject: low oil pressure?
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Message:
My oil pressure gauge has started reading low and has even dropped all the way down. The light is also coming on. I changed the oil filter first thinking that it was clogged but still have the low pressure. Next I changed the oil pressure sending unit but I am still reading dangerously low and never make it past the lower third of the safe zone. The idiot light is also coming on but if I turn the engine off and wait a minute the light stays off when I restart for a couple miles or so and then comes back on. I know this could be the oil pump, but the engine seems to run smooth and isn't making any knocking sounds like it isn't getting oil. What else could be going on? Its a 93 and does have 169000 miles. The previous owners didn't change the oil as often as they should have b/c there does seem to be a good bit of sludge buildup where I can see. Could there be some clogging somewhere causing the low pressure or does it sound like the pump is going?
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Budysr
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2005
09:34:09
| RE: low oil pressure?
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Message:
Well, I drove it yesterday and the pressure stayed in the safe zone but not by much. It did start out near the middle but once the engine reached operating temp. it stayed on the lower side of the safe zone. I didn't get the red light though so I guess its ok but I really don't like the pressure not running higher like it used to. Could I have a clogged pickup tube and screen? Seems like this was a common problem when reading old posts on this.
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J and J Auto
GenII
 
1/04/2005
19:14:51
| RE: low oil pressure?
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Message:
If the oil was never changed it could be a pluged
pick up trysome engine flush than change the oil
and filter
to much bearing clearance on crank
bad pump or dirt holding the relief spring open
try the flush first
Larry
J&J Auto
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Hunting
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2005
19:46:10
| RE: low oil pressure?
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Message:
I have the exact same problem on my 96.
Going to try oil/filter change first, and if that doesn't work, I'm draining oil, putting 5 liters of Varsol in it, removing coil wire and cranking for a minute. Going to let it sit for day or two and drain and refill with oil/filter. If it is the screen, I'm hoping this will wash it out.
Heck of alot easier than dropping pan in these things.
Heh! I'm waiting for flames on this post!
Hunting
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Budysr
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2005
09:41:26
| RE: low oil pressure?
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Message:
Well, Its not as bad now. I changed the filter and took Larry's suggestion about using the larger filter for the 318's. The pressure is a tad higher now and stays in the safe zone even at idle. I have been running this motor with the auto-rx engine flush for the last couple thousand miles and I am 1200mi into the 2000mi rinsing phase so I guess some of the crud clogged the old filter and probably some other places too. The old sending unit did have some gunk in the hole too. I am anxious to switch to synthetic so I may go ahead and do the amsoil flush and immediate oil and filter change. How does synthetic compare to dino oil as far as oil pressure is concerned? Higher or lower pressures with synthetic?
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2005
12:35:32
| RE: low oil pressure?
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Message:
take it to a shop that offers an engine flush service. I recommend it. I had a bunch of sludge removed from mine - I kept clogging the filter. It was around $90 at pepboys and they use the bilstein machine. See my previous post for more details about this service. They run cleaning solution in the oil filter port and vaccuum it out the pan.
- Dan M
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Roger
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/29/2005
22:13:28
| RE: low oil pressure?
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Message:
Had same problem on 2001 Dakota Sport V6, 64,000 miles. Changed the sending unit and put in manual pressure gauge. Problem got worse so took it to Dodge dealer and it was a plugged oil screen and sludge in the pan. Apparently the previous owner hadn't taken much care in changing the oil. Dealer cleaned the pan, screen and pump and for now it is running 50-65 psi over the road and 25 psi at idle. Have ran it for 1000 miles and am changing the oil and filter this weekend. Hoping this works. Toyal cost $300.00.
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