I have an 05 Dakota. About 78k miles, V8, 4x4.

Last couple of times I've gotten my oil changed, they've told me I was down about a quart of oil. I get my oil changed about every 3,000 to 3,500 miles. There's no oil in my driveway, none in my parking space at work, no smoke out the back, none on the engine, none in the coolant system. I couldn't figure out where it could be going to.

Yesterday I climbed up under the thing and notice what looked like oil on a hose coming from the bottom of the engine into the radiator. Or at least it disappears underneath the radiator. I'm not sure if that's an oil cooler or not. Also I noticed oil dripping from in front of what I assume is the oil pan. It still doesn't look like a big enough drip though.

Friend told me once about something you could put in your oil that would recondition the gaskets. I think it was made by Lucas. Anyone know anything about the Lucas stuff? Or any ideas where the leak could be? Thanks for any info

 

the hoses on the bottom of the radiator are for the trans cooler, a quart low is really nothing to worrie about, espesialy since they hold 6 quarts, and you dont have any real noticable leaks, it may be burning a little oil, but i would never take to heart what any of the oil change places have to say about your vehical. and the seal conditioners are "snake oil" nothing fixes a leaking leal other than replacing it. one thing you might try is to go up one more weight in your oil, if it lessens the amount you are using, you are burning just a little.

 

I've always used 10w30. What weight should I use?

 

You should be using 5w 30 in most applications for a 2005.

 

5w 20 for my 07

 

I live in Oklahoma. Doesn't get that cold here, maybe 20 or so in the winter. But it does get hot, easily around 100. I drive it pretty hard for about 100 miles a day. Lots of stop and goes. Would 5w30 work better?

 

first off, does the shop know they are putting in 6 quarts, or are the guessing with the oil gun, true shops will use quarts not the oil gun.

 

I'm not really sure. I know they use bulk oil, I assume that's what you mean by oil gun. I think they check the dipstick after they fill it up. I've used these guys for years, they've never been a problem.