I'm working on a 2004 Dakota 4x4 automatic with a 3.7 engine in it that has 195,000 miles on it. The engine is very clean and the mileage appears to be mostly highway. The owner is complaining of an burnt oil leak smell. What should one check for as the most common oil leak points on this particular engine?

 

Any thoughts? Anyone?

 

Comparing it to the 4.7 then maybe the front seal. Possibly the valve covers.

Are you sure it is engine oil? How about the transmission, power steering, transfer case, or differential(s)?

 

It could certainly be one of the other oils. I noticed the power steering return line appeared to have a bit of oil sheen on it coming off the pump. I'll take a closer look at the front cover seal to see if its leaking. The owner thought it might be the valve cover gaskets, but from what I see, they appear dry, with no stains on the exhaust manifolds.


I'll keep looking, but any other thoughts folks may have would be very helpful.

 

If the '04 has a power steering pressure switch check that. Mine leaked, fortunately I caught it early. It can actually wick through the wire harness and get into the PCM and O2's.

On my '00, I really don't have any leaks.

How about a recent oil change?

 

Well, I think I found it. The rear lower portion of the passenger side valve cover appears to be leaking. Looks like removing that cover can be a bit time consuming.

 

Is it just loose? Maybe you'll get lucky and it just needs tightening. Don't crank it down or it will leak.

 

Tried tightening the rear bolts, but they felt like they were partially seized in the head. I decided not to bother with trying to change the valve cover gaskets and let the owner take the truck to someone else to change them. It looked like a pretty involved job to change those valve cover gaskets and I am limited on time. I test drove the truck and I could smell oil burning.