1999 Dodge Ram My Dodge Ram 1500 99 drinks a lots of oil.

ALZALLC

MEMBER
1999 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

My Dodge Ram 1500 99 drinks a lot of oil. Not that much that I can't controll it but still, I need to add oil a few times between oil changing period.

Other thing is that I can hear some pinging/knocking/ratteling sound under the hood when accellerating or driving under load/or up-hill. Sounds like something loose inside. Something like shaking a tin can with something in it. It happens everytime I drive it and only while driving.

There is one more issue: 8th cyllinder very often misfires. I checked/replaced all the easy parts (spark plugs, coil, cables, injector etc).

This car has only 80000 miles but its performance is pretty poor.

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Has the check enging light come on? Has the knock sensor been checked? Have you ever tried premium fuel? Have you checked for vacuum leaks?

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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 6:24 AM

ALZALLC

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Thanks for answering.

The check engine light is on from time to time and after checking, my OBD computer indicates 8th cylinder misfired.

I did so called "seafoam teatment", added some lucas injector cleaner and since than there is no misfireing. At least no check engine light so far.

I also started to use Mobil1 motor oil when changing oil and filter, but still need to add oil few times after that.

I've never tried premium fuel, my dodge drinks fuel like crazy, I can't afford it.

I did a lot of things on my own although I'm not a pro. Please tell me more about vacuum leaks. What is knock sensor?

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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 7:12 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

A knock sensor is designed to keep the engine timing advanced as far as possible (right before it starts valve ping). That is for optium performance. If it is bad and advancing or retarding timing too much, it can cause this problem. As far as the vacuum leaks, they can cause some of the things you mentioned. If you haven't, check around the engine for hoses that are broken, damaged, dry rotted.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 10:51 AM

ALZALLC

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5 POSTS

I'll check for leaks.

Where is the knock sensor located in my Ram? Looks like my Haynes repair manual doesn't say much about it.

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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 8:49 PM

FARMBOY101

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1 POST

I ran across your post wondered if you had figured it out. If not I have a question with truck running and oil fill cap removed. Put your hand over the hole. If it's trying hard to suck your hand into the hole. You have a bad gasket on the buttom of your intake inside the motor and it is sucking your oil into the intake burning it up. This excess oil in the cylinder can cause misfiring especially on number 7&8 can even burn out exhaust valves.