1996 Dodge Ram Oil Pressure Drop

DODGE RAM
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MLEVENS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
i have a 1996 dodge 1500 ram 4x4 with a 360 and 183000 miles on it. i had some problems with losing oil pressure after pulling my camper for awhile. i replaced the main and rod bearings and the oil pump and the pressure came up. about 3 weeks later my oil light came on after driving about 10 miles, but the gauge stil read about 40 psi. i installed a mechanical gauge and the oil presure at idle while cold was 70 psi. so i figured my sending unit was bad because the gauge never read above 50psi. i drove home(10 miles) and had with it in gear the mechanical gauge read just above 10 psi. an hour later it was at 25psi. any ideas where to go next.
thanks,
matt
Aug 10, 2006 at 2:39 PM
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CARAVANOGRE67
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 22 POSTS
you should try and see if your gear on your distributer is maybe pooched. i would recommend getting a new gauge or you might want to see if your oil line to your gauge is partially plugged with a chunk of crud first eliminate the easy cheap things first if you got 70 pounds cold at a idle there must be a blockage or a twisted line some where or the line is got stuff in it
Aug 15, 2006 at 5:18 PM

Suggested Repair

Check the distributor drive gear for damage, then verify the oil-pressure gauge and its line are not plugged, twisted, or restricted before doing further engine work.

Conversation Summary

A 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 360 engine and 183,000 miles loses oil pressure after reaching operating temperature, especially after towing. The owner replaced the main and rod bearings and oil pump, but the warning light later came on while the dash gauge still showed about 40 psi. A mechanical gauge read about 70 psi at a cold idle, then just above 10 psi after a 10-mile drive in gear, and about 25 psi an hour later. The expert suggested checking the distributor gear and first ruling out a faulty gauge or a blocked or twisted gauge line.

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