Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) oil pressure drop

[davidb]

When the engine is warm, like after towing for a couple of hours and I go to start off from a dead stop, the rpms drop a bit and then I'll hear the dinging. I look at the oil pressure and it's either bottoming out or close to it. This only happens when when the engines been loaded for awhile and ther is that rpm dip from take off. There is no rod knock like from loose bearings ever. I'm thinking sending unit or is there a relief valve to maintain pressure somewhere that might be failing. Engine has about 85k.



Thanks,

David

 

[bmoeller]

I would try a new sender. My Ford (gasser) did the same thing. A new one fixed it.

 

[KSTRS]

Ditto's on the sending unt, mine went out at about 70k & did the same thing. It's a somewhat common problem according to the dealer tech who did mine under warranty.

 

[fishjack1]

David,



I have been there and done that with my truck - this is what I experienced - I bought an aftermarket sending unit from a local parts store and installed it - the oil pressure guage started working but it never seemed to read as high as the original sending unit. I got worried and went to my local Dodge dealer and bought one of theirs (OEM) it looked the same but now my readings are back to what was once normal.



I have also read that if the oil filter is clogged the oil is routed through a bypass and that drops your oil pressure quite a bit.

Just a thought. I'm sure somone else knows more about that than I do...



Hope yours is that simple sending unit fix - good luck

 

[illflem]

The problem is most likely the sender but if a new one doesn't correct it the oil pressure regulating valve is easy to get at and simple. It's located under the big nut towards the front of the vehicle on the oil filter housing, there's a spring under the nut that should be 66mm long.

Many people including me have had bad luck with aftermarket auto parts senders not lasting long. Spend twice as much rather than replace it twice, buy the sender from Cummins.

 

[CumminsPower98]

sender

As the others say it's almost certain to be the sender. Mine did the exact same thing dropping off if rpms went slightly lower then idle when starting out on a hot engine. I bought a sender at Car quest and it's still going strong after two years.

 

[JohnE]

<blockquote>"... Spend twice as much rather than replace it twice, buy the sender from Cummins. "</blockquote>



Bill;

Local Cummins told me it is a dealer only for the sending unit.

I agree on the sourceing though. I have always had better luck on OEM electrical parts.