I'm having a issue with my dodge, 1998 dodge with a 5.9l 360. Uses about a quart or better every 300-400 miles. I drive it rough so I expect it to be less if I was careful.

Truck runs like a top, but noticed my power isn't all there.

Gas mileage is okay.. But not great. Ordered a plenum repair kit.. But I was told if the oil fill up isn't sucking air when you put your palm on it (which it isnt) it's most likely toast rings.

I see a oily tint in my throttle body but can't get anything in there to see if it's pooled.

Before I spend a whole two days in this job.. Would you say this is my issue?

 

You can plug the end of the breather hose and remove pcv from valve cover to see if there is vacuum or positive pressure at pcv hole. I think you would have to have a pretty bad leak to confirm this way.
Does it blow a puff of blue smoke after sitting overnight? That would indicate bad valve guide seals. Could be a combination of both. What's mileage? Add truck info to your signature.
Removing the throttle body would give you a better look into the corners of the intake. Four bolts to remove and a 2.00 gasket.
Compression test, wet and dry would give you some more info about worn rings.

 

Have you read this?
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html


Once you have and if you still have questions then come ask them. This is why this thread is here and is a sticky.

 

Hmm Wow.. I always thought the rattling was a loose heat shield.. Seemed to go away if I played with the shield.. But maybe it was coincidence.. I seem to have all the symptoms so I guess I'll do the repair. I've also heard taking the plenum out will mess up the water pump.. Is it time for a waterpump replacement as well?

 

Plenum and waterpump are unrelated. You *can* do the water pump/timing chain at the same time, as you have to remove a lot of the same parts to do either job. (and, if you have a lot of miles on your truck, timing chain IS a good idea.)

But, don't expect doing the plenum to completely cure your oil consumption.... Reduce it? Sure, eliminate it? Only if you are really lucky.

 

I don't have a problem with topping the oil off.. But I think three quarts every thousand miles is insane. I'd be happy with one quart every thousand, two thousand miles. I simply can't accept the fact I have blown rings.. Truck runs like a top. Starts good in the cold.. I'm shure a little wear is in them but I can't see it burning that much oil.. I've had freinds follow me and the only time it blows blue smoke is when I just sit on the gas pedal.. In gear or out of gear.. And it depends on the weather as well (contraction and expanding of plates?) But my friend has a dakota that does the same thing.. And it doesn't use any oil at all.

 

I was going thru a quart every 100 miles before I did the plenum, and the truck only smoked at startup..... after the plenum, I still go thru about a quart ever 200 miles or so.... and it still only smokes at start up.......

 

Mine only seems to smoke on start up if I bump the key for a second and let off (used to starting newer dodges where you turn the key for half a second and it starts on its own) or if I try to start it with a low battery. Other than that it doesn't smoke at all. It runs really rich though, since I have a 180 thermostat in it.

I'm also looking into removing the death flash. I'm thinking dodges retardation of timing can also contribute to oil loss

 

Do a compression test and actually find put what your rings are at.

 

After finding out dad doesn't have a tester, ( I found his next birthday gift) Did some calling around and found one. I'll check and find some marginal test numbers for the 360 and get back to you all. (Finally a good excuse to clean my plugs)