Need some help with my 4.7

[CokeZero]

I got the truck off someone who mistreated it. It had a few holes in the oil pan and was leaking oil alot. and had no oil psi on the gauge.

I put a new oil pan gasket, sending unit and welded the holes up and put in fresh 10w-30. (Since i've heard that 5w-30 is better. will 5w-30 dino oil work? or is synthetic a must?) everything was good for a couple days then at a redlight the oil psi dropped enough to make the dash chime then went right back up. Scared the hell out of me so I ordered a new timing/water/oil kit so everything oil related will be taken care of.

It also has the dreaded tick on startup for 1 minute then everything is fine. And as of the past day while its doing the ticking for the minute it would also smoke out the tailpipe some.So I replaced the PCV valve and today after I parked at walmart and got out I noticed the truck was still barely smoking out the tail pipe when the truck was off. (Is this just the truck still burning the oil from the old bad pcv?)

Because the truck runs great and has full power. I'll be installing all the new timing chain kit with new water pump and oil pump tomorrow. Hopefully that keeps the oil psi up at all times and takes away the smoking.

 

[05singlecabHEMI]

check your coolant level. If it gets lower you might have a bad head gasket. which would produce smoke. Can you smell the smoke and tell us what it smells like? also what color is the smoke?

as for the tick, sounds like an exhaust leak. more then likely at the manifold. on my 06 4.7 i had a very bad tick. turned out 2 of the bolts that hold the exhaust manifold snapped off on the passenger side. Also might be coming from where the cat bolts onto the manifold.

 

[CokeZero]

I havent checked the coolant yet but the gauge reads fine all the time. The smoke is white and it has a pretty neutral smell. doesn't really smell like coolant or anything like that.

I did notice they have rigged/bypassed the heater core. Maybe is still burning oil from the bad pcv or that leaked before.

I really hope it isn't a headgasket. I can't afford that on top of everything else right now. It has all its power so it doesn't seem to be.

 

[CokeZero]

So I bought this kit to fix my problem 03 08 4 7L Jeep Dodge RAM Dakota Durango V8 Timing Chain Water Oil Pump Kit | eBay

My mechanic just called and said after he tore the motor down, all my parts already in the truck is brand new and would be a waste to put these in.

So what would cause the oil pressure to drop at idle randomly? I need to drive it for a while atleast to save for a new motor if this is a really bad problem.

 

[JPT]

Are you sure it isn't the oil pressure sender unit?

 

[CokeZero]

I replaced the sending unit with the pan gasket. it was reading 0 after it read normal for a day but would randomly move/bottom out with the check gauges ding while sitting at a redlight or idle but then come right back up instantly and fluctuate. I mean it seems to run fine has all of its power.

Just scared to drive it daily and just let that happen. But I really have no other choice. I might need to save for a long block.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Are you using the Mopar oil Filter or an aftermarket one. I know that some filters have a check valve installed in them to prevent the oil from gin the wrong way in the motor. Might want to check it out. I use a K&N filter on my daughters truck and it ahs over 100K on it now (I think my daughter has a problem with running al over creation). I also use K&N filters in my truck and the wife's hemi.

 

[CokeZero]

Are you using the Mopar oil Filter or an aftermarket one. I know that some filters have a check valve installed in them to prevent the oil from gin the wrong way in the motor. Might want to check it out. I use a K&N filter on my daughters truck and it ahs over 100K on it now (I think my daughter has a problem with running al over creation). I also use K&N filters in my truck and the wife's hemi.

I just got a fram. I heard it does have the anti drain back valve. Would that actually cause the oil psi gauge to bottom out randomly at stop lights and then come right back up?

It's hard to believe the truck is actually having trouble with oil after everything has been replaced and it runs so well.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Ok I am unsure about the Frams but have heard some people having complaints about them.
As far as the oil pressure dropping out like that with new parts it MIGHT be something was not installed properly, or even a loose or failing electrical connector somewhere between the sending unit and the computer. See if you can trace the wires from the actual sending unit in the engine bay and see if they are chafed. Next see if you can find them in the cab and again check for chafing or a cut wire. Only other thing I could see would be the instrument cluster itself. I have seen on these forums where some people have had theirs fail on them. Check the wires then get back too us.

 

[CokeZero]

I tore the motor back down to double check everything. And it was on point! After putting it all back together I changed the weight of the oil to 5w20 (had new oil at home) Didn't have a filter so it still has the pos fram.

Drove it a mile and while stopping it died. It died a few times everytime I came to a stop.

Read up on symptoms so I cleaned the iacv and the tps and throttle body. It def helped. I've drove it about 20 miles today and no problems yet (oil dropping or stalling)

I did notice on the sending unit while trying to clean up/trace the wires that there is only 1 wire running to the connector. Isn't there supposed to be 2?

So if this keeps up I'm good. If the oil psi drops again I'll be trying a new filter and if it stalls anymore I'll buy new tps and iacv. Def hope this lasts though!

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Some sending units have only one wire. The unit grounds itself. Saying that here is something to look for near the back of your engine. There should be a copper grounding strap going from the block to the cab and possibly to the frame. Here is a link to what the most common look like:

CE Auto Electric Supply - Grounding Solutions

The one I linked is silver in color but sometimes they are copper colored too.

Autozone and most other auto parts stores normally carry them also:

Ground Strap | AutoZone.com

 

[CokeZero]

I found a video on youtube. It's exactly what mine was doing. says he has a fix with a link that takes you to download some generic manual for $5. but doesn't tell you how.

Dodge Ram 1500 Drop In Oil Pressure & Check Gages Light - YouTube

My gauge has been fine except today (3rd day of no problems) it dropped from half down to 1/4 just 1 time. and not far enough to light the "check gauges" chime.

The truck runs fine, I'm getting fed up with stressing over this gauge. It's BS

Is there any way to disconnect that gauge and not have it chiming all the time from no reading?

 

[hotkarl]

Buy an aftermarket gauge. A real one. The gauge on our trucks is an over glorified idiot light. It's on or off. It has abuilt in value that if the pressure stays above a certain psi the needle will stay in the middle. Kinda dangerous because I think the value is very low like 4 psi or something like that which long term is no good for internals.

 

[CokeZero]

I don't think its really dropping though. it runs fine and I just replaced EVERYTHING that could be oil related. pan+gasket. Sending unit. Timing chains/sprockets/guides. Oil Pump. Even threw a water pump in there for good measure!

I don't mind getting a mechanical gauge but I want the factory one to stop giving me false readings and chiming that I have a problem. No way to cheat it to just make it read perfect all the time so I can be done with it?

 

[hotkarl]

I had/have the same nonsense. It's worn out internals from lack of maintenance. These 4.7's sludge up quick if the oil isn't religiously changed. The lack of a real gauge doesn't help because you can't really tell what's going on.

 

[CokeZero]

I had/have the same nonsense. It's worn out internals from lack of maintenance. These 4.7's sludge up quick if the oil isn't religiously changed. The lack of a real gauge doesn't help because you can't really tell what's going on.

I just got this thing so I'm not sure what the previous owner did. But I do know this is a different motor than the original. I've replaced a ton of parts, if it is indeed the internals in bad condition. How long can I expect it to last? Should I start saving for a new motor now?

It's a shame because this truck is running so good :/


EDIT; I should have known better after the bad experience I had with my cummins ram. I love the look of these trucks and take meticulous care of my vehicles. It just seems unless you get one brand new and upkeep it they don't last for crap.

 

[hotkarl]

Same thing. Truck runs like new. Could last a week could last a year.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

If you suspect the engine is wore out, what you could get is a good remanufactured one from a parts store or a pull out motor from here: Mopar Parts|Restoration Parts|Dodge Truck Parts|Jim's Auto Parts

 

[WulfGang]

I just got this thing so I'm not sure what the previous owner did. But I do know this is a different motor than the original. I've replaced a ton of parts, if it is indeed the internals in bad condition. How long can I expect it to last? Should I start saving for a new motor now?

It's a shame because this truck is running so good :/


EDIT; I should have known better after the bad experience I had with my cummins ram. I love the look of these trucks and take meticulous care of my vehicles. It just seems unless you get one brand new and upkeep it they don't last for crap.

Bud, that's with ANY used vehicle. Not just Dodge

I hate buying used for that very reason you never know how it was treated by the previous owner.

good luck with it

 

[hotkarl]

Given the fact that I'm prepared and expecting to repower with a new engine, just for ***** 'n giggles I'm gonna seafoam and do an oil change with Mobil 1 today. I'm also gonna change the oil sender. Lets see if it makes a difference. I'll be the guinea pig and let you guys know what the results are. Wish me luck!