Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) engine oil pressure issue (help)

[bull642]

I just replaced my 1995 3500 with a 1999 2500 gen 2 24 valve 4X4 truck. When I bought the truck from a mechanic at work he had just finnished a rebuild in it and was putting it back in the truck when due to scouts he has run out of time to finish it. truck had lots of issues when I got it but now down to the oil issue and I am really concerned here. Truck sounds like it has idler pulley noise coming from it but that is the same area as the oil pump, filter area. The oil sending unit is bad and have one on order through cummins. I wanted to make sure the oil pump was ok so I installed a temp oil guage in the top to the filter housing and I am only getting 2 psi at idle and 18 psi at 2500 rpm. So my question is... is there a high and low side for this motor and if not do I have a bad oil pump. The mechanic said that it is all new. What other checks can I do to check oil pressure before tearing the bottom end out of this motor?#@$%!

 

[bull642]

update

noise was the water pump- new one on order, looking at the oil cooler on this storm block the cover does not look right. the cooler and the gasket look right just alot of rtv on it. But I do not see how oil gets through this cover ,,, could it be the wrong cover for this motor? I will see when I go to cummins tomorrow.

 

[SRadke]

Put a different gauge in the filter housing. I've chased ghosts before because I was trusting a defective gauge.

-Scott

 

[bull642]

update

well I talked to the cummins guy ate the shop and he said he has seen this before and asked if I rebuilt the engine and i told him no. he asked if machine work was done and i said yes. he said that a machine shop will remove all piston coolers under the main caps before doing any machine work and usually it is up to the re-builder to put them back in before the main bearings are installed. my question is this: if these are not installed is it possible to install them with the engine in the truck or do you have to remove the engine to install these oil coolers? #@$%!#@$%!

 

[jhoughton]

I did a rebuild on mine when the 53 block cracked. The piston coolers go in the block half of the main bearings. Unfortunatly the crank has to be out to get them in place. This would require the engine to be out. Try asking the mechanic who did the rebuild if he remembers installing the small plastic pieces in the block. Best case you should try another guage as previously suggested first. You could also drop the pan and should be able to verify these piston coolers are in place before you pull the engine. You should be able to see them with a mirror and a flashlight. If they are not in then re-install the pan with enough bolts to hold in place then pull engine. This will keep and protect the exposed engine parts from any dirt or possible damage. I can check my book and scan the page that shows the coolers so you know what to look for if needed. Jim

 

[SRadke]

As said above, pull the pan and verify if this is the issue. Not certain on this one but on a common rail 4x4 you can get the pan out by loosening the motor mount bolts and jacking the engine up in the front.

 

[bull642]

well I talked to the builder and he checked all the parts that came back from the machine shop and the old coolers were there with the old freeze plugs. so I know they were not installed as suspected. After talking with the previous owner he agreed to buy back the truck along with payment for all the other stuff that I fixed. I took the money on another lead that i had and have purchased another 2nd gen truck. it is a dodge 2500 4x4. Lifted and jet black no engine mods with 270K miles. It will need a trans replacement or overhaul someday but for now it is all running ok. Drove it home tonight and found it has tall gears in the rear end which will be good for highway mile ahead. I need a friggin' step stool so my wife gets in the truck... hehe. Off we go on a new adventure!

 

[bull642]

PS I just wanted to thank everyone for all their help and suggestions. This is a great site and I want to thank Paul Webber for suggesting it. Just in case anyone was wondering what I paid for the truck... He was asking 8500. 00 and I got it for 6K. I kinda feel bad cause he needed the money to fix his moms house and the truck was worth all that he was asking for it but guess I caught him at either the right moment or just a weak one,,, anyways I love my new truck. Thanks again!!!