[Keropb]

Hello, new to the forums. Always wanted a truck, and more specifically a Ram 2500 or 3500 gen 4. Always loved the look. So I just purchased a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie with 200k miles, got an good deal, and it is a beautiful truck but there have been some issues pop up after I purchased it that are really worrying me and I need some help. A couple days after buying it I noticed the oil pressure dropping low, too low. It would never happen at idle, only after driving for a while or revving it above a certain range, ie taking the highway. First time it happened it dropped to 0 as i was pulling into my house. I started hearing some clunking and immediately turned it off. Turned it back on 5 min later and the pressure was back to normal but after revving it a couple of times I noticed it started to dip again. Check engine light was now on. The next morning the check engine light was off again and I took it to a local repair shop in SoFlo and they told me the worst news I could possibly hear, that I needed a new engine, "MAYBE". They said if they look at the oil pan and return and there is sludge, they can clean it out and that might fix it, but if there is no sludge that its most likely that I need a new engine. They wanted to quote me 500 bucks to do that, I said I would have to pass atm because I didn't want to spend the money at the time. Anyways I got a oil change from them and now after the oil change the oil pressure goes down a lot quicker. I could barely make it home from the shop and it is only a 15 min drive. I don't understand, I know this truck has fairly high miles, but it doesn't make any weird ticks or engine noises, the only thing is that there is a slow oil pressure decrease to 0 after driving for a bit. Could this really mean a new engine? I mean even bypassing the oil pump, sending unit all that and straight to a new motor? I really need help because I don't know what to do. Could this really just be sludge in the oil pick up tube? Thank you

 

[Keropb]

bump

 

[Keropb]

So, even though nobody helped me on the forum I still wanted to post the fix just in case anyone else is having the same problem. Looks like the previous owner was not too keen on basic oil changes as you can see from the attached pictures. I took apart the oil pan and the return, completely replaced the oil return with a new screen since the old one had hard oil deposits on it. The oil pan had a hell of a lot of sludge in it so I soaked it in degreaser and then pressure washed it so its super clean now. Also, I don't know if the oil pump was an issue but I replaced it anyways. To get to both of these parts I had to remove the fan shroud, water pump, both pulleys, oil pan and the timing cover. Putting the oil pan back on I of course replaced the gasket, and also replaced the gasket for the timing cover. I used liquid gasket for the water pump because I couldn't find one near me, I think I did a good job on it. The truck runs perfectly now, 200,000 miles and its very clean inside and not a tick to be heard. I will be doing earlier oil changes going forward due to flushing the engine with transmission fluid for the next couple months to make sure the top end gets fully flushed. I've heard this is the best way to do it. Don't fall for a shop telling you you immediately need a new engine. Far from the truth. Hopefully next time I have a problem someone can answer instead of letting me sit in stress.

 

[onlyonedr]

I have not seen a modern vehicle with the pickup so caked/sludged up. That is impressive and scary.

 

[Keropb]

I have not seen a modern vehicle with the pickup so caked/sludged up. That is impressive and scary.

agreed Previous owner was an idiot I’m sure

 

[Audiowriter]

I had a 97 Ford powerstroke (used) and at 200,000 it wouldn't start - no oil pressure (screen was plugged). I drained the oil - put the plug back in - and poured 2 gallons of diesel into the pan and "shook" the front of the truck as hard as possible with 2 guys pushing back and forth for several minutes. Drained the diesel and there was a lot of gunky oil deposits that came out. Left the plug out and poured a couple more gallons through until it looked clean.
Put new oil in and it started right up.
Drove it 20 miles and changed the oil and filter and was good to go till i sold it with 300,000 miles on it..

 

[Garc]

Ouch, best of luck with your main bearings. Hopefully it keeps running strong but that varnish and sludge doesn’t look good for longevity on a 200k mile short block.

 

[Keropb]

I had a 97 Ford powerstroke (used) and at 200,000 it wouldn't start - no oil pressure (screen was plugged). I drained the oil - put the plug back in - and poured 2 gallons of diesel into the pan and "shook" the front of the truck as hard as possible with 2 guys pushing back and forth for several minutes. Drained the diesel and there was a lot of gunky oil deposits that came out. Left the plug out and poured a couple more gallons through until it looked clean.
Put new oil in and it started right up.
Drove it 20 miles and changed the oil and filter and was good to go till i sold it with 300,000 miles on it..

I hope mine will be the same! I’ll be cleaning it and doing flushes every oil change and changing oil with the best oil and filter

 

[Keropb]

Ouch, best of luck with your main bearings. Hopefully it keeps running strong but that varnish and sludge doesn’t look good for longevity on a 200k mile short block.

hopefully with me changing the oil every 3k now plus a flush every change will help it out.