Water / low oil press

[Derrick G]

I was currently taking my son fishing in my 2015 3500 6.7L. I drove into a water hole and my front end fell into some ruts and I was stuck. My front tires were pretty much buried in water. I called a tow truck but took approx 3-4 hours. When he finally got me out my truck was running hot and stalled a couple times. I let it cool off and asked the tow truck driver to follow me back to town. I drove about 3 km and it was overheating so I had him load it and tow me home. The next day I started it and it was starting and running rough. I cleaned out the rads with a garden hose and I got a lot of silt out externally and it was running cooler. I took for a short drive and as soon as it got up to temp the oil press dropped from good to 0 in one second. I then dropped the oil out and did not see any signs of water or any debris. I then left the plug out and dumped about 15 L of random grade oil I could find in my garage and was getting clean yellow oil out the bottom. I then changed my oil filter, air filter and put new 15W40 synthetic oil in it. As soon as I started it the truck smoothed right out and everything including the oil pressure looked good. I then took for a short drive idling around and as soon as it got up to temp the oil pressure dropped to 0 in one second again began running rough with a ticking noise. I drove it home and while driving the pressure came up to normal and dropped to 0 twice. When I start it now it just runs rough and has the ticking noise but oil press at normal. I haven’t ran it long enough to bring temp up to see if the press drops again. I pulled the oil sensor connection it was clean and dry. Any ideas or suggestions? Very concerned with the ticking noise and worried I did some serious damage. I don’t really do any 4x4’ing with my truck and not looking forward to the bill this is going to come with?!?!

 

[AH64ID]

Since the gauge is fake I would first confirm oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. It's possible that the wiring was damaged the pressure switch.

Nothing you did should have any effect on the oil pump/system. These pumps either work or they don't, and they don't fail.

 

[Tuesdak]

Remove the fan belt. Spin each pulley by hand. Maybe some small rocks stuck in the belt.

Was the air filter water logged?

I would check the voltage on the batteries - just in case the alt got wet and you have a low voltage condition giving you grief.

 

[Derrick G]

The air filter was not logged with water. I’m getting a 13V reading from my info panel on dash. I replaced my oil sensor (only $40) and started it to see if this was issue. It suddenly shut off (thought I seized the motor) noticed the exhaust was slightly white. I did get it to turnover (not seized) had oil pressure while running, good oil level…. When I was trying to start all my gear indications P R N D went yellow, info display said check trailer brake system and also check electronic throttle system. I’m reading 13V and won’t even try to start. Glad motor didn’t seize but electronic issues can be a headache and costly too. Scared me cause motor suddenly shutoff and sounded like it was trying to turnover but wouldn’t. Since I have got to turnover once or twice but no start. Think it’s an electrical issue?

 

[AH64ID]

Have you put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on it? Dash is near useless, as I think it takes 30 seconds of no pressure to show no pressure.

Yes, it does sound electrical. Start looking for any connections that were below the waterline.

 

[Topzide]

Do you own a DVM? (digital voltage meter) I would disconnect the batteries and check standing voltage. Should be 12.5 or above for good voltage. Still doesn't mean they're good. Then hook back up and turn key on but don't start. Check how much of a drop there was. Now try and crank and note the voltage drop again. If the voltage drops below 10.8 or lower, replace the batteries. If they're the original batteries, you've gotten more than average life out of them. If they're approaching 4 yrs old, it's worth replacing before winter hits. If less than that, you could try a good deep charging and try again. Sometimes the voltage is good but they don't have the umpf to turn over that 6.7! Basically, good voltage but no amps! Good luck and keep us updated. We here to help with prior issues we've been through!

 

[JR]

If you were running electronics off the batteries for the 3-4 hours it took the tow to show you may have inadvertently cooked one. At that age (assuming they are original) they would be suspect. Time to separate and load test individually.

 

[sag2]

Check the fan connector and make sure it is clean and dry.