Calling all Car guru's

[Bent-Fender]

Ok guy's I have a 2001 Ram 1500 5.2ltr club cab dodge truck. I Got the truck 6 months ago this past Saturday. Since I've had it I have put less than a 1k miles a month on it (4,98????). I just got it back from the lot today. For the 2nd time. The first time it was in the shop, because the rear end was howling and teh oil pressure would up and drop to 0. It was there for a week and had the following replaced.

Pinion bearing and race 27.80-----What is race?
Carrier bearing and race 37.80
Pinion seal 29.95
2 axle seals 19.95
and silicone 6.50
2 valve cover gaskets 35.00
oil filler cap 9.35
cleaner 5.40
Parts 198.75
Labor 405.00

My cost was the copay of 100.00

I am no ase mechanic or anything but I know enough to check their work and see that that's what was done. They did what they said they did. Although I don't know what race is and i didn't check the pinion gear.

Any how the oil pressure is doing the same thing dropping to 0. When I rev the engine it shows normal again and only does it when the engine gets warmed up. I took it back to the lot and (language filter triggered) said he took it to the shop and it never acted up on him. I have my doubt it went to the shop this time. only 1.7 miles, the shop is a good 5-8miles off. (language filter triggered a second time) said it never acted up on him, well duh, and that the mechanic said that it was normal for a Dodge to that. Well that's a load of, and I want to know what it could be if you guys know. I think it may need a new sending unit soon, but praying its just a piece of trash in the oil. 2nd what can I expect to have happen to this thing the newest truck I've ever had was a 84 GMCverado.

I know it needs a an oil change, a tune up, all the bushings on the front end, and two new tires which are on order.

With that said I am not familiar with Dodges or any truck with a "brain" for that matter, so any and all info would be great.
I can understand your frustration, but you need to review your posts, asterisks are placed by the language filter to replace anything in the filter considered not acceptable. When you trigger the language filter it is up to you to review your posts and edit them out. Failure to do so can and will result in warnings, points eventually being banned

[31794ty]

1. Sell truck
2. By any thing other than a dodge
3. Profit???

[iamsuperbleeder]

^

lol, funny, but I kind of agree there; I've never seen many people have good luck with Chrysler products, even they're people that swear by them and praise them

way back when, my father bought a 98 brand new with a 318 in it, and he had SOOOO many issues with it from wiring in the steering column melting down, to the driver's side door almost falling off the dern truck it also lost the oil pump at about 50k miles, so there's a good chance it's shot on yours as well


and a bearing race is just the outer part of a bearing. you have the inner part with the pinion gear rides on and the actual rollers are part of it, and the race presses into the differential housing and the rollers then ride in it. they're tapered to fit into one another, and sometimes people refer to the race as a "cup" and the inner part with the rollers the "cone". the two together make a "bearing"







years ago when I worked for Advance Auto Parts, I was the store "bearing man" someone needed a bearing for some crazy project or just needed one matched up for their trailer or something, they would always get sent to me, lol



and I hope that shop didn't replace the oil cap because that's what they thought was causing the low oil pressure... if so they're a bunch of morons... oil pressure is going to drop at idle; the rotation of the motor turns the oil pump, thus a higher rev means the pump is turning faster and pumping more oil and making more pressure. but it should never make 0 oil pressure, even at idle. the best way to know for sure what the oil pressure is doing is to get a manual oil pressure gauge, remove the electronic sending unit on the motor and thread the manual gauge in it's place, and then see what you're getting. it could very well be just the sending unit is bad and is no longer accurate.


I'd say change the oil in it and see what that does for the oil pressure. How many miles are on it? If it's approaching 200k, don't go by what Dodge would tell you for oil, put some thicker weight oil in it like 10w40, and even better yet, you could use some oil designed specifically for higher mileage motors (that high mileage stuff is not just a load of crap; it actually does help old motors seal a little better and burn less oil if it's used over time. had a 91 Toyota with almost 300k on the odometer, and all I ever ran in it was the high mileage stuff because when I got it it was burning a little oil. the oil burning slowed almost to nothing, but when the timing chain needed replacing at 297k miles, I decided to overhaul the entire motor anyway just because of the mileage. all the bearings and ware surfaces in the motor's internals looked AMAZING for the miles on it). Keep an eye on the transmission fluid as well. That generation Dodge truck is renown for transmission issues ranging from front seals blowing out, too all out transmission failure. If the fluid is REALLY dark (should be a deep red transparent color), a fluid and filter change would be a good idea.

[08kgraves]

the engines themselves are great engines along with the 3.9L v6, and the 5.9L v8 360 engine. all dodges are natorious for bad oil pressure sending units so i would start there along with an oil change at the same time since oil will probably come out when you pull that sensor. most dodges are also common to have wiring issues. but all dodges not just that generation ram are common to have transmission problems. the reason for this is they set the line pressure to low from the factory. lower line pressure will slip the clutches inside more every time it shifts and burn them up faster. a simple shift kit and line pressure adjustment will fix this before the transmission fails. but be aware it will not shift as smooth anymore. if the transmission fluid is really black then dont change it because it could actually cause your transmission not to work anymore because its so bad. if its just a little dark then go ahead and change the fluid and the filter along with the pan gasket.

i went to school for automotive and high performance and used to work at a dodge dealership. i also own 2 dodge trucks and one car. and one of my trucks has a 318 in it as well.

[Bent-Fender]

31794ty Funny, but the ford like all fords is busted and my 92 chevy wont start so. Also have 4k left before I can trade it off.

iamsuperbleeder Thanks for clearing that up I always called it the bearing cup, but usually just bearing set.

08kgraves Id like to know more about this transmission trick, so to speak, that you are talking about. Also where on this truck is the sensor that you are talking about.

Oh and the truck has 187,someodd miles on it

[1979chevy.]

Ahh, you dodge bashers . Well we have a dodge 1500 that has nearly 200,000 miles on it. No major repairs, just a fuel pump, and new spark plugs. I really believe God just has His hand on vehicles sometimes.

[Bent-Fender]

Apperently calling a man by his first name is aginst the rules so before we go talking engines id lie to take a second to tell every one that it was good to meet ya and so long.

[1979chevy.]

Apperently calling a man by his first name is aginst the rules so before we go talking engines id lie to take a second to tell every one that it was good to meet ya and so long.

Sorry, I don't understand what you're getting at.

[Dasvolkswagen]

Sending unit or oil pump is going out, I replaced both in our 1500 3.9 v6 .. common issue.

[Bent-Fender]

Sending unit or oil pump is going out, I replaced both in our 1500 3.9 v6 .. common issue.

Im afraid this is what the deal is.

[08kgraves]

the sending unit is easy and just on the outside of the engine. as far as the oil pump, thats a little harder to get to.

but as for the transmission trick each one is a little different so you would need a manual for the transmission you have. but basically you buy a shift kit, drop the tranny pan down, do everything exactly by the directions which includes removing the valve body so if your not comftorable doing this then take it to a shop or someone experienced and dont touch it. because theres little check balls and if if you lose one or put one in the wrong place your pretty much screwed until u fix it. but the shift kit will probably have you install some different springs here and there as well as drill some holes bigger or possibly drill new holes all together in a certain spot.

as for the line preassure its just a little screw that you adjust like an 1/8th to a 1/4 turn. i dont remember exactly how far or which way though so im not even going to try. but i can tell you from a buddy doing it that if you turn it the wrong way you will fry your clutches in less than a day probably.

[BanditTransit]

1. Sell truck
2. By any thing other than a dodge
3. Profit???

With the profits you should by a F-150 with an EcoBoost.

[08kgraves]

no no no, never ever trade a dodge in for a ford. and theres no possible way that he would make enough profit selling an old truck like that to even buy 1/4 of a brand new truck.

[Emaxx1991]

Is the truck acting different when the pressure drops I didn't read ur whole post (kinda long) but it may sound kinda obvious and stupid but I had a chevy that read weird and it was just a bad gauge just sayin easy place to start

[MOPAR MARV]

I've been a die hard Mopar guy for over forty years and a mechanic almost as long so I can tell all the doubters that ALL electric oil pressure sending units are prone to leaking!!!!!

The only way to completely cure the issue is to change to a mechanical oil pressure gauge!

Mopar engines do suffer from cheap,wimpy oil pressure relief valve springs. Which can allow the oil pressure to drop under five pounds at Idle,so I always recommend having a Hemi oil pressure relief valve spring installed in the oil pump.

[Dasvolkswagen]

Im afraid this is what the deal is.

Its real easy... I had it apart and done within an hr....

[Toyboarder]

no no no, never ever trade a dodge in for a ford. and theres no possible way that he would make enough profit selling an old truck like that to even buy 1/4 of a brand new truck.

True...use the money for a down payment on a Toyota and be rid of such problems all together : ) I think once mine hits 450k i'll sell it to some kid to beat on it for another couple hundred

[harry697]

and that the mechanic said that it was normal for a Dodge to that. Well that's a load of, and I want to know what it could be if you guys know.

He's right, it is normal. Is it ok? Probably not, but the issues you're having are so common with these trucks that the tech probably rebuilt the rear with his eyes closed. We used to replace the rears in those trucks on a daily basis. Some trucks didn't even have their first oil change performed before they were getting a new rear. Then, after so many thousands of them were swapped out, Mopar decided that they should be rebuilt instead of replaced in most cases.

On the bright side, my buddy just bought a used Ram 1500 2wd with the 318. He got it from another friend of mine's father, who bought it brand new in 98. The truck has right around 200,000 on it and still runs good. The rear sounds like a wounded banshee and it fouls the #8 plug on occasion, but it has never left him stranded..............................yet.

the engines themselves are great engines along with the 3.9L v6, and the 5.9L v8 360 engine.

I will have to respectfully disagree. The 5.2 is one of the biggest dogs of a V8 that I've ever driven. Would rather have a 4.7 any day of the week. But I wouldn't buy a Dodge either way, so I'm safe.

[iamsuperbleeder]

no no no, never ever trade a dodge in for a ford. and theres no possible way that he would make enough profit selling an old truck like that to even buy 1/4 of a brand new truck.

I say no thank you to any Dodge, Chevy, Ford, or what have you. I love my Toyota Tacoma

[Bent-Fender]

the sending unit is easy and just on the outside of the engine. as far as the oil pump, thats a little harder to get to.

but as for the transmission trick each one is a little different so you would need a manual for the transmission you have. but basically you buy a shift kit, drop the tranny pan down, do everything exactly by the directions which includes removing the valve body so if your not comftorable doing this then take it to a shop or someone experienced and dont touch it. because theres little check balls and if if you lose one or put one in the wrong place your pretty much screwed until u fix it. but the shift kit will probably have you install some different springs here and there as well as drill some holes bigger or possibly drill new holes all together in a certain spot.

as for the line preassure its just a little screw that you adjust like an 1/8th to a 1/4 turn. i dont remember exactly how far or which way though so im not even going to try. but i can tell you from a buddy doing it that if you turn it the wrong way you will fry your clutches in less than a day probably.

I have never tore into a transmission so I guess I'll wait till that time comes. I am familar with how a shift kit feels I have had one or two in the past. 68 GMC, 74 monte carlo dirt car, 84 GMCilverado. I am going to look into the line pressure though.

.............a F-150 with an EcoBoost.

Barf, even if I could sell I wouldnt buy a newer pile of.... Id just take the money and invest it in my 84 F150 390.

Is the truck acting different when the pressure drops I didn't read ur whole post (kinda long) but it may sound kinda obvious and stupid but I had a chevy that read weird and it was just a bad gauge just sayin easy place to start

I do not know I don't give it a chance to act I just rev it to around 4k and it levels out for a min then does it again, never when its cold, and almost never going down the road it has only done it one time going down the road and I was going down and was off the gas.

I've been a die hard Mopar guy for over forty years and a mechanic almost as long so I can tell all the doubters that ALL electric oil pressure sending units are prone to leaking!!!!!

The only way to completely cure the issue is to change to a mechanical oil pressure gauge!

Mopar engines do suffer from cheap,wimpy oil pressure relief valve springs. Which can allow the oil pressure to drop under five pounds at Idle,so I always recommend having a Hemi oil pressure relief valve spring installed in the oil pump.

The gauge is easy enough but the new spring in the pump sounds exspensive.

[08kgraves]

i never said the 318 was a speed rocket man, just said it was reliable. or atleast meant it was reliable.

as for a toyota, i dont mind them as long as it doest have anything major controlled by wires and a computer like steering, brakes, throttle, those should all be kept with a physical link so you have it no matter what the computer decides to do. that why toyota has had problems with the throttle by wire ever since they started it. and what did they do? ignored it and used the same computer or whatever that they even admitted to having a "glitch" in the system from day one back in like 2000. they just pushed it aside and now people are dead because of it. cant ignore that anymore. not when a high end lexus with that ignorant design desides to go full throttle, over a bridge and off a cliff. and somehow had a survivor to tell the story.

older toyota's............. id drive one any day

any toyota where the year starts with a 2 i wouldnt take for free other than to sell it.

[Emaxx1991]

Good luck man

[iamsuperbleeder]

i never said the 318 was a speed rocket man, just said it was reliable. or atleast meant it was reliable.

as for a toyota, i dont mind them as long as it doest have anything major controlled by wires and a computer like steering, brakes, throttle, those should all be kept with a physical link so you have it no matter what the computer decides to do. that why toyota has had problems with the throttle by wire ever since they started it. and what did they do? ignored it and used the same computer or whatever that they even admitted to having a "glitch" in the system from day one back in like 2000. they just pushed it aside and now people are dead because of it. cant ignore that anymore. not when a high end lexus with that ignorant design desides to go full throttle, over a bridge and off a cliff. and somehow had a survivor to tell the story.

older toyota's............. id drive one any day

any toyota where the year starts with a 2 i wouldnt take for free other than to sell it.

aw common, the new ones aren't bad, lol. my old 91 was rock solid though; put 300k on it before I overhauled the motor, and I beat the SNOT out of it

I've had no issues at ALL with my 06 Taco, but yeah I'm not a fan of the fly-by-wire throttle at all... but, at least the throttle hesitation isn't as bad as my 2010 F150 was

[08kgraves]

I still dont trust it one bit at all. Like I said ill take any older Toyota, but would never take any drive by wire of any year from any company. I would drive a 2012 yota if it had a mechanical linkage still.

[Bent-Fender]

Sorry, I don't understand what you're getting at.

If you look next to my name you will see some numbers that no one else seems to have Its because I cant say anything any more with out getting infractions, Or told that it should be worded a different way, that the way I worded it isn't right. The forums where are great and all but I wont hang around a place where I am not welcome say what I want how I want. I mean come on I haven't said but 1 cuss word since I joined.


Old Toy's good like all new things they are junk

[Nitronaught]

If you look next to my name you will see some numbers that no one else seems to have Its because I cant say anything any more with out getting infractions, Or told that it should be worded a different way, that the way I worded it isn't right. The forums where are great and all but I wont hang around a place where I am not welcome say what I want how I want. I mean come on I haven't said but 1 cuss word since I joined.


Old Toy's good like all new things they are junk

You triggered the language filter 2 times and just over 1 week prior to you had previously tried bypassing the language filter in another post.

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