I have a '98 1500 318 that uses 1 qt. of oil every 3000 miles. It has 63000 miles on it but it's been using 1 qt every 3000 miles since it was new. I haven't given it too much thought since I change oil every 3000 miles but I'd like to fix it if I could. I've been using Mobil 1. Thanks for any suggestions.
Don

 

This would be considered normal consuption by any manufacturer.

 

no, it's not normal. my 360 with 150k miles on it uses .5 quart every 3500 miles or so, and I think I have a leaky plenum gasket. Check yours out...

 

I didn't say that it is acceptable, but, yes, any manufacturer would say that it is normal for an engine to consume a quart in 1000 miles.

 

What would it cost to have the gasket replaced?

 

if you DIY, under $100 bux. not sure what a shop would charge, I'd call them and ask. I've always done my own work and am about to do it again on my truck (swapping heads).

 

I just called a Dodge dealership yesterday to find out how much it costs to replace the plenum pan gasket. They said it would be $600 and they do them pretty regularly. Apparently, a common problem. I would imagine it is less if you don't go through the dealership, but I just wanted to get a ballpark to decide if I should do it myself. Also, I just bought the gaskets necessary for the job directly from Dodge and those ran me $89 bucks and change. Also, that dealership is in Maryland, I don't know if labor rates vary from region to region.

 

I recently (within the last week) noticed my engine runs rough when I start it after it has sat for a while. The first start it in the morning and after work. After it has ran for a while and I restart it, I don't hear the noise. Sounds kinda like a diesel when I first start it. Could this be the plenum gasket? Thanks for your help.
Don

 

I am a novice when it comes to the plenum pan myself, but one of the things I read is that if you look down in the throttle body and see oil in there than the gasket is no good. I just took my manifold off to replace the gasket and I saw oil in the pan and when I got the manifold off there was a place on the plenum pan gasket that was blown out. Now I have to put the thing back together and see how she runs. I was not experiencing the rough starting prior to the repair though. I would pull out the plugs and look at the electrodes, that can often tell you if something is going wrong in the combustion chamber. Good Luck, and hopefully one of the more knowledgeable members will have some more info for ya.