Oil pressure varying….concerned

[zogg]

Bought it in October with 33,000 miles. Certified vehicle. Changed oil at 33,500 as I had no idea what oil was in it, though clean.
Oil pressure was at 48 psi for over 3,000 miles and suddenly started to decrease slowly. On a 400 mile trip it had dropped to 41 and occasionally 39 at 75 mpg with coolant at 206 degrees or so snd oil at 215. Engine runs and sounds totally normal. No Hemi tic or lifter rattle even on startup. At hot idle psi drops to 26 or so. Oil is full and clean, no sign of goop on the dipstick. Of course, I have no idea how it was cared for by the prior owner…,was NOT a lease or rental vehicle. Was a private local one owner…I saw the original title.

Prior owner added katskin leather, spray in bed liner and a $1200 roll up tonneau. Has brand new Michelin tires installed and is in meticulous condition. As a certified vehicle, I assume the dealer has records of oil services.

I’m betting on a bad filter or bad oil pressure sensor so I’m switching both.

 

[JHoward]

Why is 5w20 so bad?

Certainly Chrysler recommends it, my experience is that it degrades mpg, and the 5w30 I am currently using does not seem to be doing the job. Confused!

IMO, read the 4th gen synthetic oil/oil filter threads. This may help you in reference to your note in being confused. Alot of info about oil/oil filter/cam/ lifter issues posted there by knowledgeable folks.

JHoward

 

[Daw14]

Bought it in October with 33,000 miles. Certified vehicle. Changed oil at 33,500 as I had no idea what oil was in it, though clean.
Oil pressure was at 48 psi for over 3,000 miles and suddenly started to decrease slowly. On a 400 mile trip it had dropped to 41 and occasionally 39 at 75 mpg with coolant at 206 degrees or so snd oil at 215. Engine runs and sounds totally normal. No Hemi tic or lifter rattle even on startup. At hot idle psi drops to 26 or so. Oil is full and clean, no sign of goop on the dipstick. Of course, I have no idea how it was cared for by the prior owner…,was NOT a lease or rental vehicle. Was a private local one owner…I saw the original title.

Prior owner added katskin leather, spray in bed liner and a $1200 roll up tonneau. Has brand new Michelin tires installed and is in meticulous condition. As a certified vehicle, I assume the dealer has records of oil services.

I’m betting on a bad filter or bad oil pressure sensor so I’m switching both.

Add a mechanical gauge in your dash , then you can know the true pressure .

 

[HemiGman]

I would never run Royal Purple on my truck due to stories that I have read not only here but around the WWW .... Switch to Redline 5w30 with a Royal Purple filter pn#20-820 ....

Before I switched to Redline 5w30 I didn't like how the truck felt at times, my oil pressure was all over the place, from the low mid 30s to high 60s ... now that I run the Redline it stays between 45-55 and I have seen others say that is where it should be ...

Do a search about royal purple on these forums, you will see that they complained that their oil pressure dropped big time with that oil ... should you be worried, probably not, but I would just switch to Redline and not worry about it

My 2019 classic Hemi oil pressure has reduced a little.

I’m using Royal Purple 5w30 with an RP filter. For 3,500 miles it ran 48 psi at 75 mpg consistently. Today on a 3 hour trip it dropped to 44 and occasionally 43 psi and stayed there for 200+ miles. I guess 5 psi is a not a big drop but I don’t understand why.

I’ve been told that Royal Purple is crap and breaks down quickly. Might this be the case??

Just in case, On the next warm day I plan to change it Kendall GT1 full synthetic as I have a case available in the garage from my wife’s old car. Also, I’m switching to a mopar 399 oil filter.

Coolant temp floated from202 to 220. Oil temp hit over 224…truck has 37,000 miles.

Should I be worried??? Ugh

I’ve been using Pennzoil 5W20 with a K&N oil filter. Oil pressure and oil temperature seems fine. After reading all of the recommendations and suggestions on this forum, I am willing to switch to Redline 5W30 with the royal purple oil filter. Where do y’all get the Redline motor oil from and the Royal purple oil filter? Walmart/Amazon?

 

[zogg]

Our Walmart does not carry redline but it’s available on Amazon. Funny thing, there is a motor cycle shop that carries it but they want $15+ a quart. Ugh

 

[pacofortacos]

Filter and sensor would be a logical guess.
Some 5-20 oil really thins out with heat and might drop some. The idle pressure sounds about normal.

Do you check the oil level on a cold motor OR just after changing. If just after changing, you are probably 1/2 qt or so over full

I think mine is usually in the low 50's during a trip per the dash.

 

[JHoward]

I’ve been using Pennzoil 5W20 with a K&N oil filter. Oil pressure and oil temperature seems fine. After reading all of the recommendations and suggestions on this forum, I am willing to switch to Redline 5W30 with the royal purple oil filter. Where do y’all get the Redline motor oil from and the Royal purple oil filter? Walmart/Amazon?

I purchased Red Line 5w/30 from gotexhaust.com/freedommotorspotrs.com. These two web addy's are the same store. As far as the Royal Purple 20-820 oil filter that can be purchased on Amazon/eBay/Summit Racing.

JHoward

 

[zogg]

Everything was fine (psi of 48) for 3000 miles…then suddenly the oil pressure started to drop. For 250 miles on a hiway trip at 75 mph the psi kept slowly dropping all the way down to 39 psi. I stopped and checked the level twice and it was full. No engine noise of any kind and it runs perfect. Hoping a bad filter or oil pressure switch. Otherwise???????

 

[NOV87]

Some guys post psi at 52-55 hiway.

That's how mine is now, both hwy and idle. I tried using RL 5w30 with FRAM synthetic filter a few times, but had a tick at start and occasionally at idle. Switched to QS 5w30 full synthetic with WIX filter and engine is the quietest it's ever been. Not sure if FRAM filter was a contributing factor to it.
I found RL 5W30 to be a lot thicker than other 5w30 oils. I did try RL 5W20 as well. Still not as good as QS oil. 2014 5.7 Express @110 k. Just my experience.
I've talked to another RAM owner about the oil strategies, he probably thought I was not quite all there...lol

 

[zogg]

I’ve heard that about QS doing a good job. I was going to use valvoline at the next change, but seems like it is on the thin side. So, I just bought pennzoil premium platinum based on a mechanic’s recommendation. Almost bought QS.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

My bet is on a bad filter, bypass valve went to non bypass, and nick at gotexhaust.com has the lower prices on Redline 5w30w full synthetic.

 

[Dusty]

My 2019 classic Hemi oil pressure has reduced a little.

I’m using Royal Purple 5w30 with an RP filter. For 3,500 miles it ran 48 psi at 75 mpg consistently. Today on a 3 hour trip it dropped to 44 and occasionally 43 psi and stayed there for 200+ miles. I guess 5 psi is a not a big drop but I don’t understand why.

I’ve been told that Royal Purple is crap and breaks down quickly. Might this be the case??

Just in case, On the next warm day I plan to change it Kendall GT1 full synthetic as I have a case available in the garage from my wife’s old car. Also, I’m switching to a mopar 399 oil filter.

Coolant temp floated from202 to 220. Oil temp hit over 224…truck has 37,000 miles.

Should I be worried??? Ugh

I'm not sure your experience is unique because of the oil you are currently using. If you are use to 10-20 mile trips, what you may be seeing is the result of a longer trip where internal engines temperatures build somewhat higher affecting the oil viscosity resulting in oil pressure drop.

The correct Mopar oil filters for your 5.7 are MO-339 (small capacity) and MO-899 (larger capacity). You are using the correct weight motor oil.

If my explanation is not valid, I would first suspect the oil filter is bypassing at the incorrect pressure. Talking to techs it seems to be a problem with some boutique oil filters.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 064886 miles.

 

[zogg]

Actually I’ve made the same 250 mile trip 5 other times on the same oil change. Never had this issue before. If it’s the oil breaking down then royal purple is crap. If it’s the royal purple filter goofed up, then it’s crap. I’m really banking on the oil pressure sensor which I have a new oem unit on order. We’ll see

 

[pacofortacos]

I’ve heard that about QS doing a good job. I was going to use valvoline at the next change, but seems like it is on the thin side. So, I just bought pennzoil premium platinum based on a mechanic’s recommendation. Almost bought QS.

I tried the QS and it is the only oil that has made my motor louder - used the other 2 gallons of QS in the wife's car lol.

 

[pacofortacos]

I like Royal Purple filters, not so much the stock mopar filter.
Honestly, my truck isn't really picky on oil, but it sure is on filters. Every stock mopar filter that has been on it, will give me a startup tick at about 500 miles. Never happens with the Royal Purple or the Napa Platinum filters.

As far as oil, I have tried 5-20, 0-30, 5-30 and a combination of those together and everything from a blend to basic synthetic to Pennzoil Ultra and a mix of those together. The only issue I have had with oil is more than 3 qts of 5-30 will give me a start up buck - hard to describe and it is only there for a second on a cold startup.
I tow a boat 1800 miles one way in the summer and just can't bring myself to run all 5-20 on those runs.

 

[Mister Luck]

Thank Goodness they haven’t started selling
gasoline in quart cans …

yet

I see FCA Stellantis RAM owner manuals are recommending 0/20 and 0/30 for most 5.7 Hemi’s
I’ve been thinking of changing over to Red Line just to try it.
I think I might try Rotel too
I used to see chevy and ford diesels come in smoking clouds and leave purring like kittens after using Delco back in the day but Standard Oil was still Standard oil then too.
I’ve been using 5/20 Royal Purple for a few years now with no problems,
I see the Oil Pressure gage fluctuate but that’s from engine temperature changing the oil viscosity
metal expands when heated and the tolerance between the bearings decreases, the main job of the oil is to move the heat.
In the morning it’s 55 psi after the engine heats up it can go as low as 28 psi.
Does anyone who is concerned with their engine’s oil pressure know the location of the oil pressure gauge?

 

[BobWh]

33,000 miles and my oil pressure stays at 58 unless I'm at idle. I only use Castrol Edge 5W/20( never switched viscosity or brand ) and I change it every 5K with a CQ blue filter every other oil change. Occasional cold start tick that last a minute at most. I consistantly get 18-21 MPG with mixed city/highway driving. I have averaged 23MPG many times on open road trips, 392 gears.

 

[Dusty]

Thank Goodness they haven’t started selling
gasoline in quart cans …

yet

I see FCA Stellantis RAM owner manuals are recommending 0/20 and 0/30 for most 5.7 Hemi’s
I’ve been thinking of changing over to Red Line just to try it.
I think I might try Rotel too
I used to see chevy and ford diesels come in smoking clouds and leave purring like kittens after using Delco back in the day but Standard Oil was still Standard oil then too.
I’ve been using 5/20 Royal Purple for a few years now with no problems,
I see the Oil Pressure gage fluctuate but that’s from engine temperature changing the oil viscosity
metal expands when heated and the tolerance between the bearings decreases, the main job of the oil is to move the heat.
In the morning it’s 55 psi after the engine heats up it can go as low as 28 psi.
Does anyone who is concerned with their engine’s oil pressure know the location of the oil pressure gauge?

The oil pressure sensor is located on the right side, front of the engine block.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 064886 miles.

 

[Dusty]

Just a general comment: I've owned a 2010, 2014, and now a 2019 Ram with the 5.7. There are three others in my family and I can count another six owned by friends or neighbors. Compared to having owned a lot of GMs and a few Fords, these 5.7s have been the most consistent with respect to oil pressures.

All of the 5.7 people I know report 29-31 Lbs. at engine idle, and 53-55 lbs. summertime road speed, fully warmed, regardless of oil type. So I guess I'd be concerned if road speed oil pressure was down in the 40s.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 064886 miles.

 

[Jim Bowker]

As I sit here pondering and worrying, worrying and pondering, I had a thought.

My son in law has a 2015 Ram with almost 200,000 miles and it runs like a clock. He never had an issue except brakes. He has the truck to haul some furniture from time to time, and pulls a utility trailer with his atv to his country cabin. Basically it is a daily driver to haul my daughter and two grand daughters from place to place.

He has absolutely ZERO mechanical skills or interest. I asked him about oil changes and he goes to the dealer twice a year because his dad said he should. I asked what kind of oil they use and he has no clue and doesn’t care.

So, I called the dealer and they use bulk 5w20 conventional oil in everything. The service guy said he thought it was Phillips 66 or pennzoil but he wasn’t sure. Sounded like he didn’t care.

Well, my son in law didn’t know he could view oil pressure, temperature, etc on the dash. He had no desire to see it since he had no idea what any of it meant.

How many millions of folks are just like him?? A bunch, and most folks have few, if any problems. So, why don’t I just relax, sit back, drink a beer and just drive my damm truck??? Good idea??

Well, I just can’t. Having been a mechanic for 10 years, I just can’t let things go. Dammit!!!

While I'm not condoning being ignorant, I figure that I can own things, or have things own me. I get the oil changed when the indicator gets down to 10% or so, and it's done at the dealership or at a valvoline. Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough. Am I confident the best oil is being used? No. The best filters? No. Is it good enough? Yes. And guess what? Despite me not worrying over stupid stuff, the world keeps turning.

I used to have a Honda Ridgeline, and was at a local gas station getting my inspection sticker. Feel free to go on about how it's not a real truck, blah blah. Now that's out of your system, as I'm waiting for my sticker, a second Ridgeline pulls up. It's an older one, the rims are starting to rust, the tires have very little tread left, and the clear coat is shot. I say "hi". Normally if you see someone with the same vehicle you'd say "nice truck" or something, but his didn't look very nice and I thought he might take it the wrong way. He comes back with "yeah, this ones not a looker". I chuckle and we get to talking. He had over 600,000 miles on that thing! He didn't do anything special, and always used the cheapest oil he could find and pushed it through a Fram filter. And he always waited until the Maintenance Minder came on to say he needed to change oil.

So I figure he did about 120 oil changes on that thing. And it was still running. How exactly would changing the oil on an accelerated schedule and fussing over brands and oil weight have helped him? I'm sure top tier filters and more expensive full synthetic would have been better, but maybe "good enough" was good enough?