Hey Dodge Van Owners And/or Specialists..

coolwater

Greetings fellas.. I own a 2000 Dodge Ram Van 2500 that has been very reliable for the last 8 years.. Except for one thing; the oil pressure gauge keeps going to 0..
This happened about a year and a half ago and I was told it was the oil pump.. So I replaced it for around 2k.. NOW, its happening all over again!
So I called the mechanic that replaced the oil pump last time and he says "There is no way you have 2 bad oil pumps in 2 years." For what he charged me before, that seems fair because in this economy, it would be highly likely anyone would invite "a big job" rather than say "it cant be". Some are telling me a sensor (none have specified 'which') others are saying gaskets.. Calling all painters, plumbers, sparkys, anyone who has heard of this with Dodge Vans

My question is: Has anyone ever ran into this with any Dodge Van (similar to the make and model)?? This thing is driving me nuts because without my horse...I cant ride. If I cant ride...

I starve

Ebbo

Oil sending unit?

72chevy4x4

go to an autoparts store and install an aftermarket oil pressure gauge and sender then observe pressure via the new gauge. I've heard of senders going out in other vehicles (chevy in my case). You could have a compression test run on the cylinders, but being that van engines are difficult to access...the compressoin readings could give you an indication of poor oil issues.

coolwater

rings a bell

hey thanx so you're saying go to autozone and ask for "aftermarket"? I assume because the price is better?
Then install gauge and sender (oil sending unit?) and that will tell me is the oil pump is the cause or something else right?
Is this the compression test itself or is that something different? You are very right about vans and access to engines.. Thats why Im trying to inform lyself as much as possible.. But I got to make a decision fast..

mrmike

Lo & Behold My 1997 Dodge 3500 with the 5.2 liter motor started doing this when I would stop for red lites, Etc. Could not figure it out why ??? The motor was really quiet & runs good. Well I was talking to My brother-in-law who has a lot of contacts about vehicles & he stated that there might be too much oil in it !! I told him I had been adding some and didn't know where it was going. He said he knew of someone with a Dodge with the similar problem & it had something to do with checking the oil with the dipstick that it was Screwy. So I checked it four or five times & found that I had too much Oil in it. I drained some out & my gauge didn't drop to zero anymore with the lite coming on !!!! Since then though, which has been about 5 months, the gauge will drop, but not that low, once in a great while but I don't worry about it. Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!

coolwater

wow interesting.. because this same thing happens to me when i DONT have enough oil in it...go figure.. I have actually gotten used to the gauge dropping at sudden stops when its time to change the oil..
But this time its different.. When I start up the gauge doesnt go up immediately.. instead i have to wait about 10 sec, then i hear a faint "zip" or zipping sound, then the gauge sets properly.. when I drive about 5 blocks it goes completely down to zero.. and stays there..
no knocking or ticking.. drives fine but dont wanna risk anything

72chevy4x4

I suggested an aftermarket oil pressure setup b/c it's unlikely you've gone through two oil pumps-if there is something wrong w/ your OE sender a second gauge would help to identify if you're oil pressure really does go to zero.

coolwater

brilliance! im gonna try to do this tomorrow before the game..
so technically i can still drive it with no problem correct?

72chevy4x4

only if the oil pressure does not go down to zero. you could take the easy way out and buy a new oil pressuer sending unit....

skyhook

Mine is a 1991 B250, 5.2. It had 60K when I bought at a Gov't auction.
At idle, the red light for oil comes on. Has since I bought it. Been driving it like that since 1999. It now has over 210,000 with no problems.

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tuffplay

Is the van a diesel or gas? I would have the compression checked. If the compression is good your oil pressure gauge may be malfunctioning. If your had oil pressure of 0, the car would not be able to drive. I think it is a sensor issue, especially if the oil pressure reading goes through the obd II

paul

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PaulAndSon

coolwater

well it does go all the way down to zero so im not gonna drive until i know for sure.. up until now I thought the oil sending unit was a good thing .. why do u say its the 'easy way out'?.. that makes me think maybe I DONT need to change that if it cant fix the problem

it is gas and I having a guy check the compression out later today.. this guy said it could be the "main band"? Any ideas what that is?

72chevy4x4

easy way out b/c it sounds as if dodge's may have an issue w/ OPS going bad-the easy out is that if you replace it w/ another factory style unit and it goes out again in a year you're in the same place as before...I would have more confidence in an aftermarket gauge.

just a thought...when I've inadvertantly run engines low on oil the valve train would become noiser b/c of lack of lubrication. If there is no oil lubricating the valves the engine WILL be louder than normal. You should be able to distiquish the difference in sound and note a problem w/ the guage working. As someone mentioned before in this thread, if the dipstick is not reading properly, maybe it's just low on oil (?)

coolwater

well boys, the verdict came in... the motor is shot and thats that..
according to my mechanic it has something to do with the main band thats deep inside the engine and the only thing he can suggest is to replace the motor
so Im dead in the water.. nice meeting yall
guess i'll go get a job at home depot for $10p/h - oh yeah they piss test
maybe i'll go work for roto-rooter - oh yeah the run a background
maybe i'll check the local construction co. - damn, i dont speak spanish
oh well i'll just shoot myself - oh yeah, cant afford the bullets

i need a fifth of somethin..

DuMass

The thing I’m wondering about… is that even though you have an oil pressure gauge, there should still be an idiot light in the instrument cluster for oil pressure.
You should see it come on when you turn the ignition to the on position or start the engine. It should then go out when the engine starts, if oil pressure is within spec.
Is the oil idiot light on the dash illuminated with the engine running?
If not, your engine would normally still have oil pressure regardless of what the gauge says.

The oil gauge on my ‘90 Dodge work truck with a 5.2 V8 TBI [318] also started dropping to zero as I drove about 7-years ago. The idiot light on the dash never came on, so I new it was either just the gauge, the oil pressure sending unit or wiring.
I replaced the sending unit and all was fine. I will be celebrating its 20th year of ownership in 2010.

mrmike

Something to do with the Main Band ???? Is'nt this just Guessing ?? What were the Compression readings?? Has the engine light been on?? Being a 2000 it should be on with serious problems!! How does the motor actually run ?? I would not give up on it as I would want to know for sure if it is Shot like he says.
If this motor seems to run ok with no noises which you didn't state anywhere, I would buy an aftermarket gauge like 72 Chevy said. It won't cost you very much................... or get a second opinion.................

TimelessQuality

I think he meant Main Bearings... If they are shot, you will lose oil pressure...

Usually takes 150k miles, an overheat, or low oil event to make them go bad.

When they get very bad, you will hear them knocking...

Throw some stp and sawdust in it...should get you to your new job at HDj/k..........for awhile

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-Steve

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." ~ Albert Einstein