Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) "Normal" oil consumption?

[Ron Bissett]

None I check to make sure that it is not gaining Any like fuel or water in Oil . Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY:-{}

 

[OTRPU]

I go through a quart every couple days. A thousand miles or so. The vacuum pumps leaking some, prolly leak more than I use. Truck runs 10 hour days and may idle another 8 at times. Working on not having to use the truck engine for a/c or heat while sleeping.



Be Safe,

Steve J.

 

[gforce71]

My 98 doesn't NORMALLY use a drop between oil changes (synthetic 8-10K between changes) and it has 105K. The only time I've had to add any was when my vacuum pump started leaking and it wasn't very much. Just FYI... the seal for that (vacuum pump) costs about $2, Dodge will try to sell you the whole pump for $1000.



Jeff

 

[RustyJC]

No usage between 3000 mile changes of Delo 400, even towing a 13,500 lb 5th wheel. Great engine!



Rusty

 

[OTRPU]

gforce71, where's you get just the seal? Everybody I talked with said can't get rebuild kits, and that the pumps should be R&R'd anyway. Estimate 5 hours and $390 labor. If I could get the parts at least I could save some on that.



Be Safe,

Steve J.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by OTRPU

I go through a quart every couple days. A thousand miles or so. The vacuum pumps leaking some, prolly leak more than I use. Truck runs 10 hour days and may idle another 8 at times. Working on not having to use the truck engine for a/c or heat while sleeping.



Be Safe,

Steve J.

I would switch to synthetic oil, should burn less

 

[gforce71]

Hey Steve,



Probably the reason they said that was because Dodge won't sell parts for it. They only sell the whole vacuum pump. It also didn't take me 5 hrs to complete. It took me longer to drive to the bearing shop and get the part then it did to put it together. Total time to remove, rebuild and replace (without part shopping) was about 2 hrs (and I am by no means anything close to professional... ok, I had a little help). I got the seal at my local bearing shop (used to be called Moore Bearing, I'm not sure what the name of the place is now). Cost me $2. 83. I've read a thread or two on the TDR website with the size "The seal for the vacuum pump is a 38mm od x 28mm id x 7mm thick with double lip viton material". I took mine in and had them match it. It has the size scribed on it so it shouldn't be too hard. I also went to Dodge and asked them to print me a breakdown of the pump which they did. It showed how it went together. Let me know if you'd like for me to scan and send you the printout of the breakdown (I think I still have it). I can try to walk you through the process if you need help (like I said, i'm no professional but I'm willing to help as much as I can).

lemeknow,

Jeff

 

[Dave MacArthur]

As usual, Dave Fritz has a source for the vacuum pump seal.



http://dodgeram.org/support_pgs/aboutus.htm



I have 80K and have never added oil between changes (5,000-7,500 miles between changes).

 

[OTRPU]

I'm speaking of an engine with more like 257k on it. Mostly been OTR miles. I gotta get that leak stopped soon. I'll get the part and get back to you guys. Thanks for the info.



Be Safe,

Steve J.

 

[kingquad]

mine uses a quart about every 10,000 mi. has since new no matter whwat kind of oil. I now run Amsoil every thing with the dual remote set up, I think most of the oil goes out the road draft tube. Maybe someone can come up with a low cost solution to retreive and recycle this oil!!!









-------------------------

1999 3500 Q. C. 4x4 sport

3. 54, 104,000 mi

amsoil everything

 

[OTRPU]

Read EricBu12's breather MOD, looks very interesting. Don't really think I'm burnin all that oil. . . leakin and blowin it all over the road more likely. I think I'm throwing dollars on the highway. If I changed to AMSOIL I think it would be like changin to fives.



Be Safe,

Steve J.

 

[OTRPU]

Seal ordered...

Just got off the phone with these guys, say the seal sells for $46 and has forever. Anyway it's cheaper than the whole pump, and it's in the mail to me tomorrow. I'm hitting the road tomorrow, will try and get back through Denver area in a week or so. Seal should have arrive by then and I'll have Reliance Truck & Auto do the install. Will get back here and let you know how it goes.



<< March 7, 2003 - Reganis Auto Center has a rear shaft oil seal available for the 24 Valve ISB vacuum pump. Instead of replacing a whole pump, you can get just the seal from them at 308-632-8200 -- email address removed -- >>



Tow Safe,

Steve J.

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by OTRPU

I go through a quart every couple days. A thousand miles or so. The vacuum pumps leaking some, prolly leak more than I use. Truck runs 10 hour days and may idle another 8 at times. Working on not having to use the truck engine for a/c or heat while sleeping.



Be Safe,

Steve J.

This is a major reason for your oil consumption. Idling 8 hours is very bad for your engine. EGT gets too low under these conditions-- the pistons don't seal properly when they are too cold. Not to mention it might foul your spark plugs, too

 

[gforce71]

Re: Seal ordered...

Hey Steve,



I see that your going through the Denver area, I know you've already got it ordered. But just FYI... here's the place i picked mine up from. It's right off of 58th and I-25 in Denver.



Rocky Mountain Supply Inc

5720 Washington Street

Denver, CO 80216

303-308-1290

28mm ID x 38mm OD x 7mm W double lip vitron

Their description... 28x38x7 NAT C $2. 71

Originally posted by OTRPU

Just got off the phone with these guys, say the seal sells for $46 and has forever. Anyway it's cheaper than the whole pump, and it's in the mail to me tomorrow. I'm hitting the road tomorrow, will try and get back through Denver area in a week or so. Seal should have arrive by then and I'll have Reliance Truck & Auto do the install. Will get back here and let you know how it goes.



<< March 7, 2003 - Reganis Auto Center has a rear shaft oil seal available for the 24 Valve ISB vacuum pump. Instead of replacing a whole pump, you can get just the seal from them at 308-632-8200 -- email address removed -- >>



Tow Safe,

Steve J.

 

[OTRPU]

$2 bucks and change. . . wish I'd known it was available local affore I ordered it for what I am paying. Talked to wifey on cell tonight, it showed up today. Hey, I'm Wi-Fi on the road now.



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Be Safe,

Steve J.

 

[illflem]

Steve, looking at the puddle behind your front wheel I'd say you better fix that leak



You guys are fooling yourself if you think your engine isn't using oil, if the top of the rings aren't lubed it wouldn't last long. Every engine has to use some oil, you might not see it on the dipstick though. Remember your oil is collecting soot and wear metals, it's volume will increase with use, even if your dipstick stays exactly the same you are burning oil.

 

[jlhartak]

I have seen the dipstick level actually increase here in Alaska in the winter with fuel dilution and condensation from repeated short trips. I run a winter front and try to take a long (+20mi) trip every so often, seems to help.

 

[gforce71]

Hey Steve,



Sorry I didn't catch you quicker. I didn't get a chance to look at your post about ordering the seal until just recently. I'm trying to check the TDR daily and more attention. My appologies. I have a breakdown of the pump if you'd like it (I think I did see a thread on here showing how it comes apart also). Let me know if you do.





Jeff

Originally posted by OTRPU

$2 bucks and change. . . wish I'd known it was available local affore I ordered it for what I am paying. Talked to wifey on cell tonight, it showed up today. Hey, I'm Wi-Fi on the road now.



#ad




Be Safe,

Steve J.

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by illflem

Steve, looking at the puddle behind your front wheel I'd say you better fix that leak



You guys are fooling yourself if you think your engine isn't using oil, if the top of the rings aren't lubed it wouldn't last long. Every engine has to use some oil, you might not see it on the dipstick though. Remember your oil is collecting soot and wear metals, it's volume will increase with use, even if your dipstick stays exactly the same you are burning oil.

Bill, you are right to a point. I would imagine though that the volume of soot and wear metals is so low that it would be undetectable in dipstick level, even if you didn't, in fact, burn ANY oil.



I think the point here is whether an engine uses a noticeable amount of oil. OF COURSE a perfect engine still uses a little, but we're talking VERY small amounts in that case.



jlh

 

[OTRPU]

LOL. . . that puddle is what's left of wash water. . . not oil. But my Quick Lube DOC in Bristol, IN commented that I needn't worry about the brakeline rusting and is concerned with what all the oil from the leak and blowbye might be doing to the intake on my airbag compressor intake. Hope it thinks it has a K&N filter and likes the oil.



Cheers, Steve J.