2003 DODGE RAM oil dipstick

Trim or remove excess sealant film in the rear
main cap oil pan gasket groove.DO NOT remove
the sealant inside the rear main cap slots.
If present, trim excess sealant from inside the
engine.
Clean oil pan in solvent and wipe dry with a clean
cloth.
Clean oil screen and pipe thoroughly in clean sol-
vent. Inspect condition of screen.
INSPECTION
Inspect oil drain plug and plug hole for stripped or
damaged threads. Repair as necessary.
Inspect oil pan mounting flange for bends or distor-
tion. Straighten flange, if necessary.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean the block and pan gasket surfaces.
(2) Trim or remove excess sealant film in the rear
main cap oil pan gasket groove.DO NOT remove
the sealant inside the rear main cap slots.
(3) If present, trim excess sealant from inside the
engine.
(4)
Fabricate 4 alignment dowels from 5/16x11/2
inch bolts. Cut the head off the bolts and cut a slot into
the top of the dowel. This will allow easier installation
and removal with a screwdriver (Fig. 56).
(5) Install the dowels in the cylinder block (Fig.
57).
(6) Apply small amount of MopartSilicone Rubber
Adhesive Sealant, or equivalent in the corner of the
cap and the cylinder block.
(7) Slide the one-piece gasket over the dowels and
onto the block.
(8) Position the oil pan over the dowels and onto
the gasket.
(9) Install the oil pan bolts. Tighten the bolts to 24
N´m (215 in. lbs.) torque.(10) Remove the dowels. Install the remaining oil
pan bolts. Tighten these bolts to 24 N´m (215 in. lbs.)
torque.
(11) Lower the engine into the support cushion
brackets and tighten the thru bolt nut to the proper
torque.
(12) Install the drain plug. Tighten drain plug to
34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(13) Install the engine to transmission strut.
(14) Install exhaust pipe.
(15) Lower vehicle.
(16) Install dipstick.
(17) Connect the negative cable to the battery.
(18) Fill crankcase with oil to proper level.
Fig. 56 Fabrication of Alignment Dowels
1 - 5/16º X 11¤2º BOLT
2 - DOWEL
3 - SLOT
Fig. 57 Position of Dowels in Cylinder Block
1 - DOWEL
2 - DOWEL
3 - DOWEL
4 - DOWEL
DRENGINE - 5.9L 9 - 271
OIL PAN (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
LUBRICATING OIL LOSS 1. External leaks. 1. Visually inspect for oil leaks. Repair as
required.
2. Crankcase being overfilled. 2. Verify that the correct dipstick is being
used.
3. Incorrect oil specification or
viscosity.3. (a) Make sure the correct oil is being
used (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES -
DESCRIPTION).
(b) Look for reduced viscosity from dilution
with fuel.
(c) Review/reduce oil change intervals.
4. Oil cooler leak 4. Check and replace the oil cooler.
5. High blow-by forcing oil out the
breather.5. Check the breather tube area for signs of
oil loss. Perform the required repairs.
6. Turbocharger leaking oil to the air
intake.6. Inspect the air ducts for evidence of oil
transfer. Repair as required.
COMPRESSION KNOCKS 1. Air in the fuel system. 1. Identify location of air leak and repair. Do
not bleed high pressure fuel system.
2. Poor quality fuel or water/gasoline
contaminated fuel.2. Verify by operating from a temporary
tank with good fuel. Clean and flush the
fuel tank. Replace fuel/water separator filter.
3. Engine overloaded. 3. Verify the engine load rating is not being
exceeded.
4. Improperly operating injectors. 5. Check and replace misfiring/inoperative
injectors.
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION 1. Loose or broken engine mounts. 1. Replace engine mounts.
2. Damaged fan or improperly
operating accessories.2. Check and replace the vibrating
components.
3. Improperly operating vibration
damper3. Inspect/replace vibration damper.
4. Improperly operating electronically
controlled viscous fan drive.4. Inspect/replace fan drive.
5. Worn or damaged generator
bearing.5. Check/replace generator.
6. Flywheel housing misaligned. 6. Check/correct flywheel alignment.
7. Loose or broken power
component.7. Inspect the crankshaft and rods for
damage that causes an unbalance
condition. Repair/replace as required.
8. Worn or unbalanced driveline
components.8. Check/repair driveline components.
EXCESSIVE ENGINE
NOISES1. Drive belt squeal, insufficient
tension or abnormally high loading.1. Check the automatic tensioner and
inspect the drive belt. Make sure water
pump, tensioner pulley, fan hub, generator
and power steering pump turn freely.
2. Intake air or exhaust leaks. 2. Refer to Excessive Exhaust Smoke
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING).
9 - 284 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
ENGINE 5.9L DIESEL (Continued)

OIL
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CAUTION: Do not overfill crankcase with engine oil,
oil foaming and oil pressure loss can result.
To ensure proper lubrication of an engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at an acceptable level.
The acceptable oil level is in the SAFE RANGE on
the engine oil dipstick (Fig. 113).
Unless the engine has exhibited loss of oil pres-
sure, run the engine for about five minutes before
checking oil level. Checking engine oil level of a cold
engine is not accurate.
(1) Position vehicle on level surface.
(2) With engine OFF, allow approximately ten min-
utes for oil to settle to bottom of crankcase, remove
engine oil dipstick.
(3) Wipe dipstick clean.
(4) Replace dipstick and verify it is seated in the
tube.
(5) Remove dipstick, with handle held above the
tip, take oil level reading.
(6) Add oil only if level is below the SAFE RANGE
area on the dipstick.
(7) Replace dipstick
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE OIL
SERVICE
WARNING: HOT OIL CAN CAUSE PERSONAL
INJURY.
NOTE: Change engine oil and filter at intervals
specified in the owner's manual.
(1) Operate the engine until the water tempera-
ture reaches 60ÉC (140ÉF). Shut the engine off.
(2) Use a container that can hold at least 14 liters
(15 quarts) to hold the used oil. Remove the oil drain
plug and drain the used engine oil into the container.
(3) Always check the condition of the used oil. This
can give you an indication of engine problems that
might exist.
²Thin, black oil indicates fuel dilution.
²Milky discoloration indicates coolant dilution.
(4) Clean the area around the oil filter head.
Remove the filter (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRICA-
TION/OIL FILTER - REMOVAL).
(5) Install new oil filter (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL FILTER - INSTALLATION).
(6) Clean the drain plug and the sealing surface of
the pan. Check the condition of the threads and seal-
ing surface on the oil pan and drain plug.
(7) Install the drain plug. Tighten the plug to 50
N´m (37 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) Use only High-Quality Multi-Viscosity lubricat-
ing oil in the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. Choose
the correct oil for the operating conditions (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES -
DESCRIPTION).
(9) Fill the engine with the correct grade of new oil
(Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID
CAPACITIES - SPECIFICATIONS).
(10) Start the engine and operate it at idle for sev-
eral minutes. Check for leaks at the filter and drain
plug.
(11) Stop engine. Wait several minutes to allow the
oil to drain back to the pan and check the level
again.
USED ENGINE OIL DISPOSAL
Care should be exercised when disposing of used
engine oil after it has been drained from a vehicle's
engine.
1 - ROCKER ARM
2 - ROCKER SHAFT
3 - PEDESTAL
4 - FROM MAIN OIL RIFLE
5 - TO VALVE TRAIN
6 - MAIN OIL RIFLE
7 - FROM MAIN OIL RIFLE8 - TO CAMSHAFT
9 - TO PISTON COOLING NOZZLE
10 - FROM OIL COOLER
11 - CRANKSHAFT MAIN JOURNAL
12 - ROD JOURNAL
13 - TO ROD BEARING
14 - MAIN OIL RIFLE
Fig. 113 Oil Level Indicator (Dipstick)
1 - ADD OIL MARK
2 - O-RING
3 - SAFE RANGE
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 341
OIL (Continued)

(2) Install the pump (Fig. 116). Verify the idler
gear pin is installed in the locating bore in the cylin-
der block. Tighten the oil pump mounting bolts in
two steps, in the sequence shown in (Fig. 122).
²Step 1ÐTighten to 8 N´m (71 in. lbs.) torque.
²Step 2ÐTighten to 24 N´m (18 ft. lbs.) torque.(3) The back plate on the pump seats against the
bottom of the bore in the cylinder block. When the
pump is correctly installed, the flange on the pump
will not touch the cylinder block.
(4) Measure the idler gear to pump drive gear
backlash and the idler gear to crankshaft gear back-
lash (Fig. 123). The backlash should be 0.15- 0.25
mm (0.006-0.010 inch). If the backlash is out of lim-
its, replace the oil pump.
(5) If the adjoining gear moves when you measure
the backlash, the reading will be incorrect.
(6) Apply a bead of MopartSilicone Rubber Adhe-
sive Sealant or equivalent to the gear housing cover
sealing surface.
(7) Install the gear housing cover (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/GEAR HOUSING COVER
- INSTALLATION).
(8) Install the vibration damper (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
INSTALLATION) and speed indicator ring.
(9) Install the fan support/hub assembly and
torque bolts to 32 N´m (24 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install hydraulic pump.
(11) Install accessory drive belt tensioner. Torque
bolt to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.).
(12) Install the accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
INSTALLATION).
(13) Install the cooling fan (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ENGINE/RADIATOR FAN - INSTALLATION).
(14) Connect battery negative cables.
(15) Start engine and check for oil leaks.
INTAKE MANIFOLD
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cables.
(2) Remove the charge air cooler outlet tube from
the air inlet housing (Fig. 124).
(3) Remove the engine oil dipstick tube mounting
bolt (Fig. 124).
Fig. 120 Measuring Gerotor Planetary to Body Bore
Clearance
1 - BODY BORE
2 - GEROTOR PLANETARY
Fig. 121 Measure Gear Backlash
1 - OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR
2 - IDLER GEAR
3 - BACKLASH
4 - BACKLASH
Fig. 122 Oil Pump Mounting Bolt Torque Sequence
Fig. 123 Idler Gear to Pump Drive Gear and
Crankshaft Gear Backlash
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 345
OIL PUMP (Continued)

(4) Remove dipstick support at fuel filter housing.
Position dipstick tube to the side.
(5) Disconnect the air grid heater power cables at
the cable mounting studs.
(6) Disconnect the ground strap at the intake
cover.
(7) Remove the engine wiring harness connections
at the air inlet housing elbow.
(8) Remove the four (4) air inlet housing mounting
bolts and remove the housing from top of the heater
elements.
(9) Remove the intake air grid heater from the
manifold (Fig. 125).
(10) Remove the high pressure fuel lines and fuel
rail (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY/
FUEL LINES - REMOVAL).
(11) Remove APPS bracket from cylinder head to
gain access to front intake manifold cover bolts.
(12) Disconnect manifold air temperature/pressure
sensor connector.
(13) Remove the remaining intake manifold cover-
to-cylinder head bolts.
(14) Remove the intake manifold cover and gasket.
Keep the gasket material and any other material out
of the air intake.(15) Clean the intake manifold cover and cylinder
head sealing surface.
CLEANING
Clean manifold in solvent and blow dry with com-
pressed air.
Clean cylinder block gasket surfaces using a suit-
able solvent.
The plenum pan rail must be clean and dry (free of
all foreign material).
INSPECTION
Inspect manifold for cracks.
Inspect mating surfaces of manifold for flatness
with a straightedge.
INSTALLATION
(1) Using a new gasket, install the intake manifold
cover.
(2) Install the cover-to-cylinder head bolts that do
not hold down the fuel rail. Tighten the bolts to 24
N´m (18 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install the high pressure rail and fuel lines
(Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY/
FUEL LINES - INSTALLATION).
(4) Using two (2) new gaskets, install the intake
air grid heater and air inlet housing. Position the
ground cable and install and tighten the bolts to 24
N´m (18 ft. lbs.) torque.
Fig. 124 Charge Air Cooler Air Tube
1 - FRONT WIRING CLIP
2 - GROUND CABLE
3 - TUBE BOLT
4 - ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK TUBE
5 - CLAMPS
6 - AIR TUBE (INT. MAN.-TO-INTERCOOLER)
7 - RUBBER HOSE
8 - AIR INTAKE HOUSING
9 - CABLE BRACKET HOUSING
Fig. 125 Intake Air Grid Heater
1 - INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER
2 - GASKET
9 - 346 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
INTAKE MANIFOLD (Continued)

(5) Connect the manifold air temperature/pressure
sensor connector.
(6) Install and tighten the air intake heater power
supply nuts to 14 N´m (120 in. lbs.) torque.
(7) Install the APPS bracket. Torque fasteners to
43 N´m (32ft lbs.) torque.
(8) Install oil dipstick tube support at fuel filter
housing.
(9) Install the engine oil dipstick tube and mount-
ing bolt.
(10) Position the charge air cooler outlet tube onto
the air inlet housing. Tighten the clamps to 8 N´m
(72 in. lbs.) torque.
(11) Attach the engine wire harness to the air inlet
housing at two locations.
(12) Prime the fuel system. Refer to the fuel prim-
ing procedure in Group 14, Fuel System.
(13) Connect the battery negative cables.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cables.
(2) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(3) Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the turbo-
charger elbow.
(4) Lower vehicle.
(5) Disconnect the turbocharger air inlet hose.
(6) Remove air cleaner assembly.
(7) Disconnect the turbocharger oil supply line and
the oil drain tube from the turbocharger.
(8) Disconnect the charge air cooler inlet pipe from
the turbocharger.
(9) Remove the turbocharger and gasket from the
exhaust manifold.
(10) Remove the cab heater return pipe nuts from
the exhaust manifold stud. Position the tube out of
the way.
(11) Remove heat shield.
(12) Remove exhaust manifold bolt lockplates.
(13) Remove the exhaust manifold-to-cylinder head
bolts and spacers (Fig. 126).
(14) Remove the exhaust manifold and gaskets
(Fig. 126).
CLEANING
Clean the cylinder head and exhaust manifold seal-
ing surfaces with a suitable scraper. Use a Scotch-
BriteŸ pad or equivalent.
INSPECTION
Inspect the exhaust manifold for cracks. Measure
the exhaust manifold for flatness. Place a ruler over
all of the exhaust ports and insert a feeler gaugebetween the port flange and the ruler. Maximum
deviation from flat is 0.20 mm (.008 inch).
INSTALLATION
(1) Using new gaskets, install the exhaust mani-
fold and gaskets. Install the bolts and spacers and
tighten the bolts in the sequence shown in to 43 N´m
(32 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Retorque the four center bolts.
(3) Install heat shield and torque bolts to 24 Nm
(18 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install cab heater tube.
(5) Install exhaust manifold bolt retention straps.
(6) Install the cab heater return hose to the man-
ifold bolt stud. Tighten the nut to 24 N´m (18 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(7) Install the turbocharger and a new gasket.
Apply anti-seize to the studs and then tighten the
turbocharger mounting nuts to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.)
torque.
Fig. 126 Exhaust Manifold and Gaskets
1 - RETAINING STRAP
2 - BOLT (7)
3 - SPACER
4 - MANIFOLD, EXHAUST
5 - GASKET
6 - BOLT (5)
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 347
INTAKE MANIFOLD (Continued)

CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL
RETAINER
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) Remove the transmission.
(3) Remove the drive plate / flywheel.
(4) Remove the oil pan (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the rear oil seal retainer mounting
bolts.
(6) Carefully remove the retainer from the engine
block.
INSTALLATION
(1) Throughly clean all gasket resdue from the
engine block.
(2) Use extream care and clean all gasket resdue
from the retainer.
(3) Apply a small amount of MopartSilicone Rub-
ber Adhesive Sealant to the retainer gasket. Position
the gasket onto the retainer.
(4) Position Special Tool 6687 Seal Guide onto the
crankshaft.
(5) Position the retainer and seal over the guide
and onto the engine block.
(6) Install the retainer mounting bolts. Tighten the
bolts to 22 N´m (16 ft. lbs.).
(7) Install the oil pan (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLATION).
(8) Install the drive plate / flywheel.
(9) Install the transmission.
(10) Check and verify engine oil level.
(11) Start engine and check for leaks.
HYDRAULIC LIFTERS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐHYDRAULIC
TAPPETS
Before disassembling any part of the engine to cor-
rect tappet noise, check the oil pressure. If vehicle
has no oil pressure gauge, install a reliable gauge at
the pressure sending-unit. The pressure should be
between 207-552 kPa (30-80 psi) at 3,000 RPM.
Check the oil level after the engine reaches normal
operating temperature. Allow 5 minutes to stabilize
oil level, check dipstick. The oil level in the pan
should never be above the FULL mark or below the
ADD OIL mark on dipstick. Either of these two con-
ditions could be responsible for noisy tappets.
OIL LEVEL
HIGH
If oil level is above the FULL mark, it is possible
for the connecting rods to dip into the oil. With the
engine running, this condition could create foam in
the oil pan. Foam in oil pan would be fed to the
hydraulic tappets by the oil pump causing them to
lose length and allow valves to seat noisily.
LOW
Low oil level may allow oil pump to take in air.
When air is fed to the tappets, they lose length,
which allows valves to seat noisily. Any leaks on
intake side of oil pump through which air can be
drawn will create the same tappet action. Check the
lubrication system from the intake strainer to the
pump cover, including the relief valve retainer cap.
When tappet noise is due to aeration, it may be
intermittent or constant, and usually more than one
tappet will be noisy. When oil level and leaks have
been corrected, operate the engine at fast idle. Run
engine for a sufficient time to allow all of the air
inside the tappets to be bled out.
TAPPET NOISE DIAGNOSIS
(1) To determine source of tappet noise, operate
engine at idle with cylinder head covers removed.
(2) Feel each valve spring or rocker arm to detect
noisy tappet. The noisy tappet will cause the affected
spring and/or rocker arm to vibrate or feel rough in
operation.
NOTE: Worn valve guides or cocked springs are
sometimes mistaken for noisy tappets. If such is
the case, noise may be dampened by applying side
thrust on the valve spring. If noise is not apprecia-
bly reduced, it can be assumed the noise is in the
tappet. Inspect the rocker arm push rod sockets
and push rod ends for wear.
(3) Valve tappet noise ranges from light noise to a
heavy click. A light noise is usually caused by exces-
sive leak-down around the unit plunger, or by the
plunger partially sticking in the tappet body cylinder.
The tappet should be replaced. A heavy click is
caused by a tappet check valve not seating, or by for-
eign particles wedged between the plunger and the
tappet body. This will cause the plunger to stick in
the down position. This heavy click will be accompa-
nied by excessive clearance between the valve stem
and rocker arm as valve closes. In either case, tappet
assembly should be removed for inspection and clean-
ing.
9 - 386 ENGINE 8.0LDR

from the center outlet of the filter through an oil gal-
lery that channels the oil up to the tappet galleries,
which extends the entire length of block.
Galleries extend downward from the main oil gal-
lery to the upper shell of each main bearing. The
crankshaft is drilled internally to pass oil from the
main bearing journals to the connecting rod journals.
Each connecting rod bearing has half a hole in it, oil
passes through the hole when the rods rotate and the
hole lines up, oil is then thrown off as the rod
rotates. This oil throwoff lubricates the camshaft
lobes, cylinder walls, and piston pins.
The hydraulic valve tappets receive oil directly
from the main oil gallery. The camshaft bearings
receive oil from the main bearing galleries. The front
camshaft bearing journal passes oil through the cam-
shaft sprocket to the timing chain. Oil drains back to
the oil pan under the No. 1 main bearing cap.
The oil supply for the rocker arms and bridged
pivot assemblies is provided by the hydraulic valve
tappets, which pass oil through hollow push rods to a
hole in the corresponding rocker arm. Oil from the
rocker arm lubricates the valve train components.
The oil then passes down through the push rod guide
holes and the oil drain-back passages in the cylinder
head, past the valve tappet area, and then returns to
the oil pan (Fig. 49).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐENGINE OIL
LEAKS
Begin with a through visual inspection of the
engine, particularly at the area of the suspected leak.
If an oil leak source is not readily identifiable, the
following steps should be followed:
(1) Do not clean or degrease the engine at this
time because some solvents may cause rubber to
swell, temporarily stopping the leak.
(2) Add an oil-soluble dye (use as recommended by
manufacturer). Start the engine and let idle for
approximately 15 minutes. Check the oil dipstick to
be sure the dye is thoroughly mixed as indicated
with a bright yellow color under a black light source.
(3) Using a black light, inspect the entire engine
for fluorescent dye, particularly at the suspected area
of oil leak. If the oil leak is found and identified,
repair per service manual instructions.
(4) If dye is not observed, drive the vehicle at var-
ious speeds for approximately 24km (15 miles), and
repeat previous step.
(5) If the oil leak source is not positively identified
at this time, proceed with the air leak detection test
method as follows:
(6) Disconnect the breather cap to air cleaner hose
at the breather cap end. Cap or plug breather cap
nipple.
(7) Remove the PCV valve from the cylinder head
cover. Cap or plug the PCV valve grommet.
(8) Attach an air hose with pressure gauge and
regulator to the dipstick tube.
CAUTION: Do not subject the engine assembly to
more than 20.6 kpa (3 PSI) of test pressure.
(9) Gradually apply air pressure from 1 psi to 2.5
psi maximum while applying soapy water at the sus-
pected source. Adjust the regulator to the suitable
test pressure that provide the best bubbles which
will pinpoint the leak source. If the oil leak is
detected and identified, repair per service manual
procedures.
(10) If the leakage occurs at the rear oil seal area,
refer to the section, Inspection for Rear Seal Area
Leak.
(11) If no leaks are detected, turn off the air sup-
ply and remove the air hose and all plugs and caps.
Install the PCV valve and breather cap hose. Proceed
to next step.
(12) Clean the oil off the suspect oil leak area
using a suitable solvent. Drive the vehicle at various
speeds approximately 24 km (15 miles). Inspect the
engine for signs of an oil leak by using a black light.
Fig. 48 Pressure Feed Type (Gerotor) Oil PumpÐ
Typical
1 - OUTER ROTOR
2 - INNER ROTOR
3 - OIL PUMP COVER
4 - TIMING CHAIN COVER
9 - 394 ENGINE 8.0LDR
LUBRICATION (Continued)