Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) need advice

[mgoncalves]

Looking at a 98 12 valve for my dad, on the test drive the oil pressure is dropping to 0 at idle after about an hour of driving. How concerned should we be? Truck has 190,000 miles, was used hard but well maintained.

 

[fest3er]

Looking at a 98 12 valve for my dad, on the test drive the oil pressure is dropping to 0 at idle after about an hour of driving. How concerned should we be? Truck has 190,000 miles, was used hard but well maintained.

You mean the *gauge* kept dropping to 0. And the warnings dinged and the lights flashed. Don't be concerned. If the oil pressure had really dropped to zero, the engine would've let you know right quick.



If you buy the truck, replace the oil pressure sender. My '98 does the same thing after some years because the sender falls out of tolerance. Replacing it stops the symptom. You'll need either a very thin-wall socket or a crow's foot wrench to remove it. And be very careful how you reinstall. There's a brass adapter between the sender and the block. I believe you want to install the adapter first, then the sender. Otherwise you might just crack the adapter. Buy a new adapter just in case.



And before you spend a lot of time and money looking for the sender, just go to your local Cummins shop. If they don't have the sender, they can get it in a few days. And the price is *far* better than parts stores. If you have trouble finding one, let me know. I know I can get them at Cummins Atlantic. They've sold two in the past seven years. To me.

 

[mgoncalves]

Kind of what I was thinking, thanks for the reassurance.