I have just printed out a TSB 09-06-99 about spark knock & hi oil consumption. It appears that the intake manifold plenum pan gasket is the cause. Oil leak is internal. Diagnosis is provided in TSB. -- Has anyone experienced this problem and cured it? Did dealer cover it under "factory recall"? (Maybe I should laugh.!)

 

Ihad the same problem. fixed it myself. It wasnt hard at all. It was the phlenum gasket.

 

Oh yeh! The factory told me this happens alot, but they would not pay to fix it.

 

I replaced the plenum gasket also. The power train waranty expired and Dodge would not even pro-rate the cost of parts and my time spent on repairs. The fix solved the problem. Later I brought the truck into the dealer to get the computer flashed w/ new ignition curves(also part of the TSB).

 

I have had to replace three engines due to piston damage from detonation caused by plenum gasket leaks and other problems. All three engines had extruded gaskets which leaked oil. Curiously the gaskets extruded out, away from the vacuum.

In analyzing the cause of the gasket failure it appears the gasket failure is caused by vacuum induced flex of the plenum cover, partiularly between the bolts. On my old covers the area around the bolts is bent from presumably the flex.

I am planning to replace the cover with 3/8 inch thick solid aluminum.

Tom

 

Yes common problem, no recall. It's not hard to fix. Parts are cheap too.