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Stopped the oil drip at the pan area but I'm still losing oil?

Tiny
HIDDEN4321
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I finally stopped the oil drip at the pan area but I'm still losing oil. Likely burning it. I changed the pressure switch too.

I do sometimes see a white like smoke but not heavy, at start up mostly. Sometimes at a light too.
New PCV valve also.

Is this the intake an exhaust seals in engine there at lifters and springs?
What also should I look at and test?
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Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 AT 10:10 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Hi,

If you are seeing white smoke at start-up, chances are that is steam burning off in the exhaust and is normal. Also, based on the ambient temperature, you could see it at a stop sign as well.

How much oil are you using? If it is burning oil, usually there is a blueish color from the exhaust. Is that happening? Also, take a look through this link and let me know if anything helps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

Keep in mind, at 200,000, there is a good chance a small amount of oil is being burned. That really wouldn't be out of the ordinary. Chrysler and most manufacturers indicate it's acceptable to use up to a quart of oil in 1,500 miles.

Let me know as much as you can. Is the engine running properly other than the oil concerns?

Let me know.

joe
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Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
It's running fine. I even put a dye in it but can't find a leak. Seems like the more I drive it the faster I lose oil. Can the belly pan be leaking it out then burned? I don't see blue smoke.I'm going to try that test where you pull an seal the PCV hose and check other side breather hose for suction. Where else can it be going?
Where should I look next or test?
Compression?
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Monday, October 23rd, 2023 AT 12:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,973 POSTS
I have seen the engine suck the intake gasket at the underside manifold and such in oil that way, but mostly likely the engine is burning it, and you can see it. Try this, at night go up a hill and then let off the throttle and try to look in your rear-view mirror and see if you can tell if there is smoke in the car's headlights behind you.
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Monday, October 23rd, 2023 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
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  • 58 POSTS
Let off throttle once a top hill?
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Monday, October 23rd, 2023 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, once you let off if smoke rolls out it is burning oil.
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
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  • 58 POSTS
Didn't notice any smoking after trying it.
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Then it is not burning oil.
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
I did that test where you pull the hose to PCV and taped it up. Then pull hose on other crankcase to breather. As running.0 suction. Then I looked into the throttle at belly pan and saw what looked like little droplets of oil. I also put a magnet in there to bottom and it was magnetic to the bottom so maybe it's not aluminum. Dye is still in it but no big noticeable area.

Also, under it at the flywheel bell housing another little drip but couldn't trace it.I saw a tad on drain plug also. And retightened. I'm going to retighten the pan bolts. What's the ft lbs?.

What should I look at next?

Is that a belly pan gasket going bad sign? Valve seals?
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Hi,

I suspect you are referring to the engine oil pan. I attached the directions below. Note that they are in inch-pounds and not foot-pounds. It shows 215-inch pounds. That works out to right around 18 foot-pounds, so be careful not to overtighten it.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
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Okay, thank you.
What about the inside of belly pan, throttle?
I may pull the spark plugs and look at them too. Any other suggestions?
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I'm not sure I understand what you are referring to. Sorry about that. When you say belly pan, where is it located? You also listed throttle. What is needed with the throttle?

Sorry. I was embarrassed to ask but didn't know what else to do. LOL

Joe
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
The inside of throttle pic, looking inside the butterfly area and the little dots of oil. I'm not sure what that huge pan gasket is called but it's a common failure in these trucks.

Plenum Gasket?
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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You mean inside the intake manifold? There will be a slight amount of residue but if you can see smoke at the top of the hill it is not burning it. You must be leaking while you drive.

Please go over this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

Please get back to us.
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Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 8:05 AM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
I think I found the problem.
All bolts on pan were torqued okay.

Looks like the exhaust manifold gasket is loose and off. If that's what it looks like in pic. I guess that's why there's a drip at other places on an oil filter bottom?

Does that look like if? Both sides show it loose but more at passenger side.
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Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It looks like the valve cover is leaking. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, October 26th, 2023 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
HIDDEN4321
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No this is from bottom of truck near oil filter. I changed the top valve covers 2 months ago.

Exhaust area tough to get exact pic but that piece looks like exhaust gasket. Does oil ever come from there?
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Thursday, October 26th, 2023 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I can see any oil dripping, can you see where it is coming from?
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Friday, October 27th, 2023 AT 8:17 AM

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