A cautionary tale.......keep up on your maintenance

[EdGs]

So, today a family member with an '18 Ram 1500 ~ 125K miles, calls me and says, "I just popped a check engine light." I asked if anything unusual. He says no.

He says no stumbling, he's on the road, reads off his temps, all normal. I ask "What's your oil pressure?" He says 40 at 3k rpm. I said "When your idling at a light, what's your psi?" He says, "29". I said "I wonder if you tripped a P1524 code for oil pressure.

I said, "To me, 29 psi idling is not normal." I asked and he said he was overdue for an oil change. Quite a bit overdue. VERY overdue. Last one done by Valvoline.

He stops by, I read his codes, P1524 oil pressure out of range. I immediately sent him to WallyMart to get oil and filter. He said Valvoline charged him $140 to do a change. I had him buy an FE2 and an FE10060 and 2 jugs of PUP 5W-20 (I haven't had time to explain to him about 5W-30 yet.) He bought an air filter too, less than $90 for all.

I said, "You just saw my truck in all it's stripped glory, don't eff around with your maintenance, or you'll be sorry, doing the same $hit you just saw me doing, and sooner rather than later."

And you all know who he will turn to if that happens, and I don't want to do this again under any circumstance, even though I know I could do it alot faster, knowing what's what.

BTW, he's got 15+ % idle time, at 125k miles, and I'm at 8% with almost 202k miles.

 

[HEMIMANN]

So, today a family member with an '18 Ram 1500 ~ 125K miles, calls me and says, "I just popped a check engine light." I asked if anything unusual. He says no.

He says no stumbling, he's on the road, reads off his temps, all normal. I ask "What's your oil pressure?" He says 40 at 3k rpm. I said "When your idling at a light, what's your psi?" He says, "23". I said "I wonder if you tripped a P1524 code for oil pressure.

I said, "To me, 23 psi idling is not normal." I asked and he said he was overdue for an oil change. Quite a bit overdue. VERY overdue. Last one done by Valvoline.

He stops by, I read his codes, P1524 oil pressure out of range. I immediately sent him to WallyMart to get oil and filter. He said Valvoline charged him $140 to do a change. I had him buy an FE2 and an FE10060 and 2 jugs of PUP 5W-20 (I haven't had time to explain to him about 5W-30 yet.) He bought an air filter too, less than $90 for all.

I said, "You just saw my truck in all it's stripped glory, don't eff around with your maintenance, or you'll be sorry, doing the same $hit you just saw me doing, and sooner rather than later."

And you all know who he will turn to if that happens, and I don't want to do this again under any circumstance, even though I know I could do it alot faster, knowing what's what.

BTW, he's got 15+ % idle time, at 125k miles, snd I'm at 8% with almost 202k miles.

What was his OCI?

 

[EdGs]

What was his OCI?

You don't want to know, trust me.

I'll even wager it's low, too.

He'll be a believer when I'm through with him. I recommended a few quick changes, even if he gets SuperTech oil, just to clean some of the shizz out of there.

Gonna recommend some Lubegard, too.

 

[Burla]

Um yes, we do wanna know

Might wanna suggest restore and protect eventhough its valv.

.

 

[EdGs]

Just got done, level was down 1-1/2 qts.

I did find out the XG2 does fit his truck but if prefilled, it would have to be dumped mostly due to 4x4 config.

This OCI was close to 2x interval.

I said not good, recommended some short oci's in a row, even with cheapie oil, 3k miles or less, to try to get any shizz out.

He's only had the vehicle for a bit longer than that, he had the oil changed twice since he's had it, 139k on the truck, not 125k like I said before.

He asked me what services I'd recommend. I said plugs for sure, brake fluid, coolant change, definately a trans service. Have to see what his time and money allow. I have no clue how to service the transfer case.

I said if any damage was done, no way to tell, all can do is keep up on the service.

 

[EdGs]

I forgot, he also had a P0521? I think.

I reset the codes, the P0524 was permanent I think, maybe even the P0521, but no more CEL. Wait and see

I talked to him a little about using 5W-30, but for now PUP 5W-20 will be ok because at least it is fresh.

His truck did sound good to me, just the normal hemi noises we all are familiar with.

 

[Wild one]

Just got done, level was down 1-1/2 qts.

I did find out the XG2 does fit his truck but if prefilled, it would have to be dumped mostly due to 4x4 config.

This OCI was close to 2x interval.

I said not good, recommended some short oci's in a row, even with cheapie oil, 3k miles or less, to try to get any shizz out.

He's only had the vehicle for a bit longer than that, he had the oil changed twice since he's had it, 139k on the truck, not 125k like I said before.

He asked me what services I'd recommend. I said plugs for sure, brake fluid, coolant change, definately a trans service. Have to see what his time and money allow. I have no clue how to service the transfer case.

I said if any damage was done, no way to tell, all can do is keep up on the service.

Transfer case is easy Ed,it has a drain plug at the bottom on the backside,and a fill/level plug above it.Not really much differant then servicing the rear diff.

 

[EdGs]

Transfer case is easy Ed,it has a drain plug at the bottom on the backside,and a fill/level plug above it.Not really much differant then servicing the rear diff.

What kind of unicorn shizz does it take?

 

[Grams]

A bunch of short-interval oil changes is going to do nothing for him or that engine. Just get on a proper schedule Now…and stay on it.

Transfer case oil change is easy. Grab a ratchet…. pull the lower pipe-plug and let it drain. Pull the upper plug and pour a cup thru it to “wash” it out a bit…. Install the lower plug…fill it to the upper plug….reinstall the upper plug.
ATF4 for most BW cases unless he has an “auto” selection capability, in which case it takes Revenol 44 or Mopar 68049954AC $pecial fluid.
Whichever, it’ll take approx 1.5 qts.

 

[EdGs]

Thank you, @Grams. Much appreciated.

Not sure what he has. He does have a Laramie. 4WD, 8-speed, single exhaust. Not sure about rear ratio either, and that's a service I forgot to suggest.

He did say his hot oil psi on the PUP 5W-20 was 34-37 at about 212° and 500ish rpm idle.

I'm gonna get him on 5W-30 and lubegard unless he wants to get with the RedLine 5W-30.

 

[Wild one]

Thank you, @Grams. Much appreciated.

Not sure what he has. He does have a Laramie. 4WD, 8-speed, single exhaust. Not sure about rear ratio either, and that's a service I forgot to suggest.

He did say his hot oil psi on the PUP 5W-20 was 34-37 at about 212° and 500ish rpm idle.

I'm gonna get him on 5W-30 and lubegard unless he wants to get with the RedLine 5W-30.

Good chance he'll have the BW44-44 in a Laramie.If he has the Auto 4X4 feature he has the 44-44,and it takes the gold plated t-case fluid.Grams pretty well covered how to service the t-case,they're pretty easy to change fluid on.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Just got done, level was down 1-1/2 qts.

I did find out the XG2 does fit his truck but if prefilled, it would have to be dumped mostly due to 4x4 config.

This OCI was close to 2x interval.

I said not good, recommended some short oci's in a row, even with cheapie oil, 3k miles or less, to try to get any shizz out.

He's only had the vehicle for a bit longer than that, he had the oil changed twice since he's had it, 139k on the truck, not 125k like I said before.

He asked me what services I'd recommend. I said plugs for sure, brake fluid, coolant change, definately a trans service. Have to see what his time and money allow. I have no clue how to service the transfer case.

I said if any damage was done, no way to tell, all can do is keep up on the service.

I got a number of engines with sideways oil filters. I pre-fill 'em, let them soak the filter media thoroughly (keep filling until the media stops absorbing oil), then dump out the 'loose' oil back into the jug. Then screw on the new filter.

Prevents running until the media fills. Yeah, still needs to run to fill the can, but the media is already soaked so doesn't delay the flow across it.

 

[EdGs]

I got a number of engines with sideways oil filters. I pre-fill 'em, let them soak the filter media thoroughly (keep filling until the media stops absorbing oil), then dump out the 'loose' oil back into the jug. Then screw on the new filter.

Prevents running until the media fills. Yeah, still needs to run to fill the can, but the media is already soaked so doesn't delay the flow across it.

His oil filter fits straight up and down like all other Hemi's, but getting it in there would spill it all over. It's an interesting process getting it in there.....lol.

Might have him do the clear flood mode if he decides to use the larger filters. With the prefill and dump, of course.

 

[Ken226]

I forgot, he also had a P0521? I think.

I reset the codes, the P0524 was permanent I think, maybe even the P0521, but no more CEL. Wait and see

I talked to him a little about using 5W-30, but for now PUP 5W-20 will be ok because at least it is fresh.

His truck did sound good to me, just the normal hemi noises we all are familiar with.

The threshold for problems is 25psi. The code description for p0524



Basically, per the "set condition", to set p0524, the engine spent a drive cycle and never reached the "MDS calibrated spec" which per the first sentence of "Theory of operation" is 25psi.

Not good.

 

[EdGs]

The threshold for problems is 25psi. The code description for p0524
View attachment 575785


Basically, per the "set condition", to set p0524, the engine spent a drive cycle and never reached the "MDS calibrated spec" which per the first sentence of "Theory of operation" is 25psi.

Not good.

Nope, just what I told him. Meant P1524, sorry.

I think it scared him a bit, and I hope so.

He did say he freaked out a bit when it dinged.

He's still got payments for a good bit on it, too.

 

[Ken226]

Nope, just what I told him. Meant P1524, sorry.

I think it scared him a bit, and I hope so.

He did say he freaked out a bit when it dinged.

He's still got payments for a good bit on it, too.

Some folks just aren't very mechanically minded

 

[EdGs]

He's got decent mechanical knowledge and ability, but applying it might be a little different.

We will see if this redirects his attentions on keeping closer watch on the particulars of his Hemi.

 

[Grams]

Pre-filling an oil filter likely accomplishes nothing much. I never did it for 60 years and never lost an engine. I think it’s only become a “thing” since some diesels with really large, upright filters suggest it.
An oil filter is filled by the pump in mere seconds anyway.
Here’s a guy who’s fun to watch and who ran a test on the subject:

The TRUTH about PRE-FILLING Oil Filters... ACTUAL SCIENCE

I Installed 50 OIL FILTERS in a row, to show you the Truth about Pre-Filling Oil Filters. The Oil Analyses Don't Lie. See for yourself.It seems everyone has ...

www.youtube.com

 

[Wild one]

Pre-filling an oil filter likely accomplishes nothing much. I never did it for 60 years and never lost an engine. I think it’s only become a “thing” since some diesels with really large, upright filters suggest it.
An oil filter is filled by the pump in mere seconds anyway.
Here’s a guy who’s fun to watch and who ran a test on the subject:

The TRUTH about PRE-FILLING Oil Filters... ACTUAL SCIENCE

I Installed 50 OIL FILTERS in a row, to show you the Truth about Pre-Filling Oil Filters. The Oil Analyses Don't Lie. See for yourself.It seems everyone has ...

www.youtube.com

It sure doesn't hurt that's for sure. Most late model engines will rev up to about 1,000 rpm after you've done an oil change,and when you figure that's almost 17 crankshaft revolutions per second,and the lifters will rattle on alot of engines for close to 10 seconds before they get enough oil to quieten up that's getting close to 170 crankshaft revolutions where the oil pressure is lacking.Anything to reduce that time to full oil flow always works in your favour.
You might never have lost an engine not prefilling the oil filter,but you sure as hell didn't do it any favours either

 

[Ken226]

It sure doesn't hurt that's for sure. Most late model engines will rev up to about 1,000 rpm after you've done an oil change,and when you figure that's almost 17 crankshaft revolutions per second,and the lifters will rattle on alot of engines for close to 10 seconds before they get enough oil to quieten up that's getting close to 170 crankshaft revolutions where the oil pressure is lacking.Anything to reduce that time to full oil flow always works in your favour.
You might never have lost an engine not prefilling the oil filter,but you sure as hell didn't do it any favours either

I like this guy's take on it. But, there may be some confirmation bias since he just kinda reaffirms what i've always believed and done:

Does Pre-FILLING The Oil FILTER Cause Engine DAMAGE?

When doing an oil change, it is common practice to change the oil filter as well, but should you pre-fill the oil filter before you install it? I was taught ...

youtu.be

Cliffnotes, for those who don't want to donate 14 minutes of their life that they'll never get back. Lake Speed Jr. pre fills oil filters.

And, the oil right outa the bottle was cleaner than the new oil inside the engine, that had been cycled through the oil filter. A lot cleaner.