New to me 2006 5.7 Hemi oil issue

[Mlarv]

Howdy all. I am new to this site so I am not sure if I am posting in the correct place. I have searched the forum and did not see a real answer to my question, I am not sure I am using the correct search terms. So I figure I would just ask my question. I have just inherited a 2006 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi in it. It has 86,000 on it. I was told during the winter or colder weather the oil pressure would drop to nothing the lifters would rattle. Shut it off let it sit for a little bit and it would run fine. It seems during the summer it does not do it. I am thinking the engine is starting to build up sludge in it. Before I go and start tearing it apart I was going to take the oil pan off and check the oil sump. I know it is a gear drive pump so I figure it is not the cause of my problem. After reading how to remove the pan etc to clean it out I am rethinking doing it myself. I am thinking I might take it to a shop and just have them do it for me. Does anybody know how many hours it will take so I can plan the money part? Would it be worth it to just pull the engine, take the intake off, valve covers off and clean all the oil galleries. I have the hoist, engine stands along with all the tools to do it just not the time. Thanks Mike

 

[RonJon '06]

You can get the oil pan off and back on yourself without removing the engine. The hardest part is unbolting and rebolting the oil pick up tube. At 160K miles I had a lot of sludge buildup in the oil pan and clogging the pick up screen. If you decide to go ahead and remove the pan yourself get a new windage tray and be sure to add some RTV to the four points where the front cover and rear seal meet the block. I hard a hard time getting mine to seal and when I went to the dealership to get an estimate on replacing the windage tray/gasket they said $800.

 

[Mlarv]

Thanks I will look into doing it myself I just wish I had more space in the garage instead of the driveway.

Thanks