Hey guys I'm new to the forum so please direct me of I am posting in the wrong location. I purchased a 1996 Dodge Ram with what I understand to be. 5.2L v8. I know the engine was swapped and the parties have mixed stories on which engine it is. Anyway I was told it consumes oil. Well I never would have imagined it consumed oil at a rate of 4 quarts a week. I ordered the plenium repair kit from Hughes I'm not 100 percent it's the problem. I did pull the air cleaner and oil was on the actual filter. Not a lot. But the plugs on the other hand had oil and I'm getting misfires. I'm burning black smoke when I accelerate to highway speeds( i know this is most likely unburnt fuel) I sometimes hear what sounds like a loose heat sheild coming from the engine compartment only on cold days. The truck starts going over the temperature of 200 degrees when I accelerate (pedal to the floor) I don't know what normal operating temperature is for these but I have been running around 190-200. Any help with my situation would be a great help. Thanks in advance.

 

Sorry about how long it is

 

Do a compression test for starters to see if the motor is worth putting money into.

 

Can you keep coolant in It or does that burn too?

I don't think you can burn 4 quarts of oil a week with just bad rings, you have some serious issues. Kinda sounds like a head gasket but your oil isnt mixing with the coolant

 

the plenum can burn a lot of oil. other oil burners are valve seals and rings. plugged up PCV can also create high pressure leaks.

if you have any doubts about compression, rent a compression tester from your local parts store to check it.

do your plenum repair and replace plugs, cap, rotor, maybe wires, PCV while you have the intake off and see how it does.

welcome to df.

 

I'm with guzman, you've got issues. Do a comp and leak down test and see what you're numbers are. You've likely got some cracked head issues starting to crop up along with the plenum.

 

Test first, spend money when you have a plan. Compression check is first on the list, if that is ok, leakdown test.

My truck could go thru a quart every 50 miles when my plenum was bad. I STILL use more oil than I think it should though...... only smokes at first drive of the day.... and even then not that bad. I haven't done a compression test yet.... I am afraid of what it is going to tell me. The rebuildable core motor is in the barn, waiting for funding.

 

Yes I can keep coolant. I know both head gaskets were replaced prior to my purchase of this truck. The weird part is it doesn't smoke when I'm driving unless I really get on it. But I don't have any leaks. It has lots of power. I was also told the heads were milled

 

Another thing is that when I check my codes and clear them. If I keep a heavy foot the codes won't come back. If I drive like miss daisy they come back within a few miles. The check engine light stays on at all times because of p1492 which I believe is the batt temp sensor.