2005 Dodge Ram hemi

2005 DODGE RAM
120,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JFFRSN_ADAMS
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i have an 05 dodge ram 1500 5.7 hemi. about 2 months ago a light lifter tapping begin at start up but went away within 1st mile. it progressively got worse. iwas told the oil i was running was to thick to keep the lifters primed so i went to factory specified oil. didnt help. 2 wks ago my oil gage stared to not register when i started it. if i turned it off and re started it it worked fine. i changed the sending unit 5 days ago seemed to work fro about a day. now i will not register unless the rpms are up but it continues to fall and raise. ive checked the oil and its full. i have driven it for mile with no registered pressure on the gage and no problems. the oil pump has to be working or i would have burn the engine up right? whats wrong with the truck?
Dec 27, 2009 at 3:15 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Yes, if there was no oil pressure you would have internally damaged the engine. My concern is the low pressure at idle. Once off idle, (while driving) you may have enough pressure to protect the engine. Does the sound seem to come from the top end (lifter) or is it low in the engine (Rod or Main bearing)? Also, what I would like you to do is this. Go to a nationally recognized parts store see if they will lend or rent you a mechanical oil gauge so you can be sure of the pressure you have. To use it, remove the oil sending unit you just replaced and screw the mechanical pump in to the same port.

Do that and let me know what pressure you have. Also, make sure that the oil filter being used has an anti flowback valve. If it doesn't, you are basically starting the engine without oil pressure until the filter refills and begins flowing through the engine.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions. Also, use the recommend oil weight. Today's engines have very close tollerances and require the oil to be thin at start up for quick luberication.

Joe
Dec 27, 2009 at 6:11 PM