2002 Dodge Ram burning oil

Tiny
JEFF10134
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
I have a 1500 quad cab with a 5.9ltr engine. In the last six months I have had to replace the number 8 cylinder spark plug which had the tip of the porceline top chipped off both times. Obviously the engine light had come on and the computer diagnoses came up with the problem. In that same time I have been going through a quart of oil every two weeks and there are no oil spots on the driveway or signs of leakage anywhere on the engine. Can you tell me the cause of the oil burning and if it is related to the spark plug problem.

I am also ready to service my transmission. The local oil change place has a flushing service they offer. Is this the correct course of action? Is there a filter they should replace as well?
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 12:07 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Need some info
Tailpipe black oily?
#8 plug did it have signs of oil fouling?
No running problem ie. Rough idle?
Let me know
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
JEFF10134
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I just went out and checked the tail pipe and there is no oil in it or coming from it. The last plug did not look to fouled. It had only been in for about 5k miles. Once in a while going down the road the engine seems to hesitate in normal excelleration mode. The only time it ran rough was when the spark plug cracked. It usually takes a few weeks wherein it gradually gets worse and the hesitation is real bad and the engine stays on. Then I checked the computer and found out it was the #8 cylinder. The first time I found it was when I had my brother in law who is full time mechanic do a tune up. We replaced plugs and wires. I use platinum tip plugs.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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The oil cosumption most likely the valve guides. Small amounts of oil get by vlave guides due to seals getting old a cracking. If you can live with it it really won't get to using any more oil.
The plug usually detonation crackes the porceline but you don't speak of any. If the cylinder runs lean combustion temps rise and may blister the plug and piece could chip off. If the plug is really white and has black spots on the porceline then it is high cobustion temp. Injector maybe dirty or not spraying full shot. Try cleaning injectors.
As for tranny flush is good and yes have filter replaced.
Let me know this plug thing intrigues me
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
JEFF10134
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My brother in law said valve guides as well. Is that a pretty involved process? Is this too early in the life of the engine for the seals to be going out? What do you mean by detonation cracking the porceline on the plug? The first sign I get there is trouble is when the engine starts to run rough and the check engine light comes on. As for cleaning the injectors should I just use over the counter injector cleaner like STP or would you recommend having a shop pull them apart and clean them more thoroughly?
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Guide seals are common failure If you had a Chevy they would have been gone at 30K. You can replace without pulling the heads. Ues compressed air to hold valve in while removing spring then install new seal. Maybe Brother in law can do.
Cleaning by a shop would be best again maybe B in law can borrow the equipment for the evening.
Detonation is that rattle sound upon slight accel. Underload. Very common on 80's cars.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 1:27 PM
Tiny
JEFF10134
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Thank you very much for the information. I think I will have him replace the seals because I do not want to worry about filling up the oil every two weeks. I know myself and I would check it every few days and probably bring it down a quart more just checking it.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 1:39 PM

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