Someone doesn't know how engines or oil work. Chrysler themselves recommend all the oil weights I mentioned above in this engine. If it was legit bad info, you would have provided reasons why.
5thGenRams Forums
Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
5W30
- Thread starter BigDog706
- Start date
Watch the video I posted.
Ramhighflyer
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2020
- Messages
- 71
- Reaction score
- 37
- Points
- 18
- Age
- 55
Switched to 5W30… the W30 oil raised the warm engine idle oil pressure by about 15%…from 28-29 psi to 33-34 psi
Blue46garage
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 3
- Age
- 60
I use 5/30wt. Over 40 years working on cars. Someone mentioned engineers, they are not in control of what oil to use. The government is. The government has fuel efficient requirements the auto manufacturers have to meet . I order to get as close to those requirements they have went to lighter weight oils . So engineers do the best they can with the rules they have to work with. This is my opinion, the lighter weight oils will not protect the timing chain over a long period of time, and possibly the lifters are developing issues because of the lighter weight oils. I think bearing and ring life has proved to be good. My biggest concern is the timing chain. Small pins and chain tensioners just stress the chain to much over the long haul with the light oil.
It's odd you even bring up timing chain as that was an issue on the early Gen 3 Hemis(when 5w-30 was recommended )but has not been a significant issue with the lighter oils.
The quality of the oil you use determines how well it will protect your engine more so than the viscosity index of it.
Blue46garage
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 3
- Age
- 60
Quality does matter as well as the shear strength under load. The chain pins are small and the surface they ride on is small. This is where the pressure is the highest and need all the protection that can be achieved. As for early hemi’s , I am not directly speaking brand specific. I have a 05 Durango with 200,000 miles laying in the weeds. Never lost the timing chain,but lost oil pressure and knocking. Never dug into it enough to know if it’s cam lifter or rod knocking issue. 5/20 was used in it. I have Subaru 133,000 miles that has had Castrol full synthetic 5/20 used in it since new. Stretched timing chain issues. Recently changed to 5/30.
Oil isn't going to cause the timing chain to stretch. And there isn't any significant difference in sheer strength from a modern 20 weight to a 30 weight. In fact, a 5w-30 will sheer easier than a 5w-20. I'm guessing you didn't watch the video I posted either.
Blue46garage
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 3
- Age
- 60
No I didn’t watch video. The lack of oil (proper lubrication)will cause timing chain stretch,and timing gear wear. Combine that with the vvt controlled by cam phasers, it doesn’t take much wear and a CEL will be tripped because a cam will be lagging behind what the ECM thinks it should be in modern engines. The ecm watches the coralation between the cam (cams)and the crankshaft.about 1-1/2 degrees difference is all it takes to trip the CEL.As I said I been turning wrenches for over 40 years and have learned what works for me the long haul and what doesn’t. How about you, do you work as a mechanic? Or just watch videos and play on the internet.
Last edited:
