I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 5.9L with 62,000 miles. I changed my oil this fall with Pennzoil 5w30 synthetic. I only have about 2400 miles on since the change. When I checked my oil the other day it barely was touching the dipstick. It was 1 1/2 quarts low on oil. I noticed after I bought the truck that the bottom tip of the dipstick has a dark tarnish mark on it.

I've looked under my truck and on the garage floor and found no oil leak.

I still have the 7year 70,000 mile warranty for about another month. So what could be the reason for the excess oil consumption. I have a feeling if I bring it in they will say its normal.

What do you think?

 

Plenum Gasket, Mine used to suck down 1-1.5qts between oil changes before I put the Hughes kit in it.

 

Thanks for the advise, hopefully it is covered under warranty. I had my crank case seal replaced this spring because of a leak.

 

plenum,plenum,plenum. lol

 

Thanks for the advise I will contact the dealer tomorrow to see if its covered.

 

I went to the dealer and they changed the old for a oil consumption test. I have to go back after 700 miles and they will check the oil level. The mechanic said he did not find any oil leak and thinks it might be from using synthetic oil. I mentioned the plenum leaking and he said that was on the older motors and not this one. Now to put some miles on to see if it is still using oil.

 

the 5.9's disd tend to burn a bit of oil. 1-1.5qts every 3kmi is not uncommon. I would run 10w-30 if I had a 5.9L, but that's me.

Also, a plenum gasket would cause irratic idle usually if it were leaking, and i can't see a plenum gasket causing that much oil to be lost. if it were a plenum gasket then you would see oil on and down the engine and oil all inside your t/b and coming out your intake tube starting to back up into your air filter.

 

i have a 5.9L and mine does the same, once i hit 3500 to 4000 without changing the oil I will be about a qt low. the synthetic thing is bull****. synthetic oil lasts much longer than regular oil. I have a 07 commander with the hemi in it and I use castrol 5w-30 synthetic. I usually change oil every 4500miles as the factory recommends for the newer motors and ive been lazy once or twice and let it go to 8000. the oil will come out the same color as it went in and about the same consistency. I would stick with castrol synthetic as its the highest rated on the market and what most people dont know is they are geared more towards mopar product because most of their testing is done with chrysler motors. I also agree with dirty dog. you should be runnign 10w30 in that 5.9L, The only v8 manufacturers recommend running 5w-30 in are models that back off to 4 cylinders when at higher speeds and steady rpm

 

the plenum issue is on all 5.9's mine was shot at like 60,000 also. Hughes kit and im good again. Btw, it was losing a bit with 5w30 and I went back to 10w30

 

i donnt believe what they said about synthetic oil use. i se royal purple 10/30 and change mine every 5000 miles and might be about 1/4 a quart down at that time. maybe its not your plenum. but more than likely it is.

and bad plenum doesnt always cause a eractic idle either.