My gauge fluctuated somewhat on my 04.5 but definitely did not read -O- when my injector failed and filled the crankcase.

 

You'd think so...........try again............once more I'd like to counter your post. Diesel fuel diluted oil can produce a zero reading on the oil pressure gauge (our motors).

If you must, perform the test on your own motor and report back to us after you've experienced yourself on this topic.

 

Thanx for the debate, although this is my first Dodge it is far from my first diesel, to keep it on topic I'll just say that I have had a few trucks over the years, come into my shop with gallons of diesel fuel or coolant in the engine oil, most were driven in with complaints of lack of power and overheating concerns. One truck in particular had 40qts of hydraulic oil put in the engine and the driver drove 100 miles before he realized there was a problem. The one thing most had in common; near normal oil pressure, 10+ psi hot at idle and between 30-50 psi at 1500 rpm. Most were Cummaparts. The truck with hydraulic oil still made 60+ psi and it needed all new rods and mains and a turbo.

I may have misunderstood the original post so I apologize for that, however I firmly and respectfully stand behind my statements.

 

Many times I’ve tried to "free up & de-sludge" old cars that have been sitting for years & years by adding up to a gallon of diesel to the crankcase while they idle for 10 or 15 minutes (as long as there is no load on the engine it is not likely to harm the brgs). They all showed fair to normal oil pressure. As I understand it, the “oil gauge” on our trucks is more of an idiot light in disguise…… as long as there is at least 15 PSI (as I recall), the gauge will function and the “reading” on the gauge will increase as the RPM’s do, via the computer input. If the diesel fuel dilution caused the pressure to drop below the preset “on” level, it would probably show zero on the gauge.

Maybe one of our resident Dodge techs can give a better answer?

 

Per the low oil pressure question, I speak from recent experiance. My check gagues light came on every time I got below 1000RPM and as I looked at the dash oil pressure went to "0" as rpms came up so did oil pressure. I believe that this engine, like the gasers uses a gear pump, no viscousity, very little pressure till pump gains much RPM to push more fluid thru the system.

Won't take long to do much damage in my oponion.

Don

 

The reason you see "ZERO" oil pressure is due to the fact our gauges are not true mechanical types. It takes a reading from a computerized sensor controlled by ecm. When it reads below a certain level specified by the ECM and is associated with a "CEL" it defaults to zero to keep some bone head from continuing to drive it.

 

I second that.