I know this has probably been done to death, but the search engine on this site isn't working for me lately. (its a computer issue on my end) Anyway, I was installing my new throttle body so I took a look into the intake manifold. I've got what looks like alot of crusted old oilall over the inside along with it being crusted to the bottom of my old TB butterflys. At the bottom tword the back of the intake it looks semi-damp. I'm guessing the crusted brown oil is not normal and I have a leaking plenum gaskit on my hands. This is my first dodge so I just wanted some verifacation that I am right.

 

Probably, butI never seen crusty oil. Usually it just pools in the lowest spot in the intake. Crusty might mean you had an air leak as well and were pulling dirt in, or possibly your oil pool was much higher at some pont ans you've burned a bit of it off.

 

After a while you are going to get some oily crust deposits on the bottom of the plenum pan, that doesnt by itself indicate a plenum leak. You are looking for pooling of oil. If you have a leak its going to pull pure oil in from the top of the engine, not "gradoo".

That said, I had a borderline issue once where I decided there was just enough oil pooling and I did the fix. It allowed me to discover what my real problems were when I started pulling things off, so I guess I was better off.

And there is a way to test to see if the Plenum is leaking, but I'll let someone else explain it cause I could never get it quite right. Had to do with checking one of the vac lines coming from the manifold.

 

You are correct I did have an air leak. I pulled the airbox off about 3 weeks ago and thats when I realized the guy that owed it before me had broken two tabs off the back of the box and cracked the bottom. I guess I just didn't think that would cause all that gunk. thanks.

 

Anyone else have an oppinion to share? All information is welcome. Thanks.