I replaced the plenum gasket and plate and I'm still burnining oil (apprx 1 qt every 50 miles). It smokes after it warms up and sporatically as I drive it. The exhaust is sooted up and blows out soot as well. Im not sure if its valve seals, rings or if its a much easier fix.



98 Dodge Ram 1500, 4x4, 318 motor....

 

Need dry and wet compression tests. That'll tell you if its rings, valves, or neither.

 

Usually, NOT DEFINITELY, blue smoke on start up is valve seals, and constant blue smoke is rings.

White smoke is coolant.

As stated, need to do some tests to know for sure where the problem is.. Compression, leak down.

 

My 99 5.2 did the same thing now its dead on cyl 1 and 3 so I am putting in new pistons and rings. The rings are completely shot. Start with a leakdown test and go from there.

 

I'm in the same boat, did a leak down test and the 2 cylinders I checked have shot rings. My truck wants to be a diesel so bad...