99 3500 Van with low miles but burns oil
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
99 3500 Van with low miles but burns oil
Hello everyone. I purchased a 1999 B3500 Van (its a conversion van) with 35k miles on it from a large dealership. Its in very good condition otherwise. I just made a 2k mile trip on it, drove like a luxury vehicle, quiet and powerful.
Unfortunately, 800 miles into my trip, the 'check gage' indicator lighted up. I googled and that prompted me to check engine oil, and to my surprise it was empty. I added 3 quarts of oil and resumed my trip, only to find the 'check gage' indicator light up again after like 300 miles further. Now I had reason to worry, it was sunday, and since I am not mechanically astute, I had to find a mechanic from craigslist.
He found the oil filter a little loose (he said, he made 3 full circles to make it well tightened). He said 2 quarts came out, and the oil was coffee like dirty. The 5.9L engine took 5quarts for an oil change, added new filter, and resumed my trip. Meanwhile I did notice, that the exhaust as well the white color rear bumper were a little covered in black smoke.
Now that I have completed my trip, what should I do (as for any fixes). The Van drives beautiful. I checked the previous owner notes, and found at 32k miles, the owner had to add 1 quart of oil. So it seems like this problem (oil eating) has been going on for some time.
What could be the issue here? I am cost-conscious and want to waste the least money, to get the problem fixed right.
Unfortunately, 800 miles into my trip, the 'check gage' indicator lighted up. I googled and that prompted me to check engine oil, and to my surprise it was empty. I added 3 quarts of oil and resumed my trip, only to find the 'check gage' indicator light up again after like 300 miles further. Now I had reason to worry, it was sunday, and since I am not mechanically astute, I had to find a mechanic from craigslist.
He found the oil filter a little loose (he said, he made 3 full circles to make it well tightened). He said 2 quarts came out, and the oil was coffee like dirty. The 5.9L engine took 5quarts for an oil change, added new filter, and resumed my trip. Meanwhile I did notice, that the exhaust as well the white color rear bumper were a little covered in black smoke.
Now that I have completed my trip, what should I do (as for any fixes). The Van drives beautiful. I checked the previous owner notes, and found at 32k miles, the owner had to add 1 quart of oil. So it seems like this problem (oil eating) has been going on for some time.
What could be the issue here? I am cost-conscious and want to waste the least money, to get the problem fixed right.
Last edited by KS693; Oct 12, 2016 at 01:45 PM.
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Well, with that limited info, here is my take on it.
3 turns on an oil filter is A LOT. That would be your oil leak and consumption right there.
35k miles on a 99 motor is not very much. What usually happens is that the valve stem seals are actually a rubber that is supposed to be immersed in oil. When a motor sits for a long time, these seals dry out and then crack causing oil consumption. Usually this consumption is 1 quart every 1-3k miles. It isn't totally horrible, but should be fixed as long term oil burning will kill the cat eventually. The same condition can happen with the valve covers too.
If you don't see visible oil on the sides of the motors, the seal deterioration my be what is going on. The high mileage oils can help with this situation as they have chemicals in them to address this issue.
I personally would change the oil with Valvoline's High Mileage oil. I would run that for 3k miles and then change it again. You may slow the consumption to acceptable levels with this.
Replacing the valve stem seals at a good shop should be around $3-500. This is an issue that should be professionally diagnosed if you are not a motorhead
3 turns on an oil filter is A LOT. That would be your oil leak and consumption right there.
35k miles on a 99 motor is not very much. What usually happens is that the valve stem seals are actually a rubber that is supposed to be immersed in oil. When a motor sits for a long time, these seals dry out and then crack causing oil consumption. Usually this consumption is 1 quart every 1-3k miles. It isn't totally horrible, but should be fixed as long term oil burning will kill the cat eventually. The same condition can happen with the valve covers too.
If you don't see visible oil on the sides of the motors, the seal deterioration my be what is going on. The high mileage oils can help with this situation as they have chemicals in them to address this issue.
I personally would change the oil with Valvoline's High Mileage oil. I would run that for 3k miles and then change it again. You may slow the consumption to acceptable levels with this.
Replacing the valve stem seals at a good shop should be around $3-500. This is an issue that should be professionally diagnosed if you are not a motorhead
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks funair02 for the informative post. You may be right on the Valve stem seals. You mention, 'if you dont see visible oil on sides of the motors'. The dealer had the engine all washed up with some shiny/oily substance, so it all appears very clean to me and I cant spot any specific oil on sides of motors, or do you think in 2k of driving, if that was the issue the oil would have re-appeared for me to easily spot it?
Also if there was oil on sides of motors, what would be the probable cause?
Also if there was oil on sides of motors, what would be the probable cause?
Well, with that limited info, here is my take on it.
3 turns on an oil filter is A LOT. That would be your oil leak and consumption right there.
35k miles on a 99 motor is not very much. What usually happens is that the valve stem seals are actually a rubber that is supposed to be immersed in oil. When a motor sits for a long time, these seals dry out and then crack causing oil consumption. Usually this consumption is 1 quart every 1-3k miles. It isn't totally horrible, but should be fixed as long term oil burning will kill the cat eventually. The same condition can happen with the valve covers too.
If you don't see visible oil on the sides of the motors, the seal deterioration my be what is going on. The high mileage oils can help with this situation as they have chemicals in them to address this issue.
I personally would change the oil with Valvoline's High Mileage oil. I would run that for 3k miles and then change it again. You may slow the consumption to acceptable levels with this.
Replacing the valve stem seals at a good shop should be around $3-500. This is an issue that should be professionally diagnosed if you are not a motorhead
3 turns on an oil filter is A LOT. That would be your oil leak and consumption right there.
35k miles on a 99 motor is not very much. What usually happens is that the valve stem seals are actually a rubber that is supposed to be immersed in oil. When a motor sits for a long time, these seals dry out and then crack causing oil consumption. Usually this consumption is 1 quart every 1-3k miles. It isn't totally horrible, but should be fixed as long term oil burning will kill the cat eventually. The same condition can happen with the valve covers too.
If you don't see visible oil on the sides of the motors, the seal deterioration my be what is going on. The high mileage oils can help with this situation as they have chemicals in them to address this issue.
I personally would change the oil with Valvoline's High Mileage oil. I would run that for 3k miles and then change it again. You may slow the consumption to acceptable levels with this.
Replacing the valve stem seals at a good shop should be around $3-500. This is an issue that should be professionally diagnosed if you are not a motorhead
Van & CUV Section Moderator
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,379
Likes: 116
Remove the intake manifold, there is a plate on the bottom that warps and the gasket leaks oil.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Surprising interaction with my local Dodge dealer.
Called. Quoted the service bulletin to see if my vehicle might be covered.
- He said: the Service bulletin does not apply to your Dodge Van (he checked the VIN)
- And then annoyingly hung up the phone after saying: you have a 20 yr old vehicle that you are concerned about burning oil. Every dodge ram van burns 2-3 quarts every 2k miles. Call Dodge if you dont believe it
Lol, talk about customer experience.
Called. Quoted the service bulletin to see if my vehicle might be covered.
- He said: the Service bulletin does not apply to your Dodge Van (he checked the VIN)
- And then annoyingly hung up the phone after saying: you have a 20 yr old vehicle that you are concerned about burning oil. Every dodge ram van burns 2-3 quarts every 2k miles. Call Dodge if you dont believe it
Lol, talk about customer experience.
Remove the intake manifold, there is a plate on the bottom that warps and the gasket leaks oil.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm
Van & CUV Section Moderator
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,379
Likes: 116
You can buy a $10 vacuum gauge and perform the test outlined in the TSB yourself.
Trending Topics
Grand Champion
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,435
Likes: 578
The plenum gasket issue is a well known problem, If it's not bad it will be soon. Take a look down the throttle body with wot, If you oil pooling it's bad. There is a upgraded version of the thin metal one but i would suggest this...
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=27091
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=27091
