Where does the oil go?

Discussion in 'Performance Mods' started by Longshot, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. Longshot

    Longshot New Member

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    I know there's many posts about how these eat oil. Mine goes through tons of oil. I don't have any smoke and I was never able to figure it out. I just did an ATI damper because my balancer almost fell off. I read that the front crank seal might leak in this situation. I saw some oil there but I'm kicking myself for not replacing the seal while I had the HB off. Is it possible to lose like a quart of oil for every 4 refuelings through the front seal and not see any oil droplets under the truck? I was thinking maybe it only leaks when the truck is moving and RPMs are higher?
     
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  2. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    IF you aren't blowing a cloud of blue smoke when driving down the road (accelerating or decelerating), it isn't likely burning it.
    Get it up on a hoist and have a good look around.
    One spot that often gets overlooked is the oil filler cap. It can be VERY hard to see oil leaking from there. The original black o-ring doesn't last forever. The green o-rings (like those on the SRT Jeeps for example) are more durable.
     
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  3. beastmode1

    beastmode1 Full Access Member

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    Have you checked your oil lines going to the cooler? My 10 had a little leak there until I had it fixed.
     
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  4. Longshot

    Longshot New Member

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    Not oil cap, I replaced it last winter and it's not leaking. Zero oil on the oil cooler lines and front valence. Oil pan is tight. I was kinda hoping there would be a bunch of oil in my intake manifold but there was zero. Its so much oil I just don't get it. At least I've got lots of room to clean it all up to continue my search. My new hydraulic pump leaks everywhere making it more difficult. It's kinda why I decided to do an electric fan conversion, thinking that my old hydraulic fan isn't working well causing it to leak. I haven't searched for an oil level sensor mod, yet. I don't really care except never knowing when to put oil in, uhg.
     
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  5. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Odd. I've got 78K on my truck, just did my second oil change in a year. It only used around 1/4 qt, and that's putting 7500 miles on the truck. I do however, use the 25K amzoil, which is quite expensive, but gives peace of mind.
     
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  6. 2quik6

    2quik6 Full Access Member

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    If its loosing 1 qt every 4 fill up, thats about 800 miles for me, then there would be a pool of oil every time you stop, and the bottom of the truck would be coated with oil and wet. Doesn't take much be spread everywhere.
    It has to either be burning it or sucking it up through the PCV valve, otherwise there is no where else for it to go. May check your coolant for any oil, or lack of coolant in case of a head gasket leak.
     
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  7. 505

    505 Full Access Member

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    There was a TSB from Dodge years ago that read something to the effect that- depending on miles, "a quart per 750 miles is normal". I know. I fell in the floor when I read it. From Dodge, that's what it said. I switched to 15/50 and mine doesn't use anywhere near that now.
     
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  8. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    But it does put a strain on the pump, I would think. Everyone who's spoken on what to use, they don't recommend anything above 5W40/ Be careful
     
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  9. 505

    505 Full Access Member

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    So far so good. I almost think it runs better with 50 weight. Seems like the lifters stay pumped up. Maybe voodoo IDK. But I know it doesn't use like it was before. Here in Florida heat anyway.
     
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  10. Psycho1122

    Psycho1122 Full Access Member

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    Last edited: Oct 10, 2020
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  11. Longshot

    Longshot New Member

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    I just wanted to follow up on this thread. After switching to ATI damper, no more disappearing oil. I guess its possible that if your balancer is loose, the oil might squirt through the crank
    seal only when the engine is revving and oil pressure is high...
    Cheers!
     
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  12. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Good to hear, and good to know for the rest of us.
     
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  13. ViperPete

    ViperPete Full Access Member

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    Depends a lot on the brand. My truck absolutely CONSUMES Royal Purple and Amzoil. I've had good luck with Mobile 1 20w-50. Trucks got 124k miles and great compression.
     
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  14. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Mobil 1 0-30 here.
    'bout every 1000 miles or so I dump in one more.
     
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  15. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Just out of curiosity, what should the compression be, to be considered "great"?
     
  16. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    155-160 with stock components are nice numbers.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2021
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  17. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    That's will ALL the plugs out, a decent battery to turn it over at a proper speed and the throttle body wide open.

    Sometimes I will get lazy and NOT hold the throttle wide open and it doesn't seem to make much difference, if any, but it can. For obvious reasons, DON'T hold the throttle open by jamming something inside the throttle body (like a pipe wrench).

    Give it 4-5 "burps" and pay attention to the first one. If it goes high-ish right away that is a good thing. It is sort of a mini leak-down test. If it struggles to get up to the 150 range, make sure the compression tester is fully seated and try the test again.

    Don't lose any sleep if the numbers are lower than above as you are looking for a tight spread (within 10%-15% of each other is quite good).

    Reading will be a few psi higher at sea-level compared to higher elevations.
     
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  18. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    I should of had that done when I had my plugs replaced about six months ago. Since I don't have a shop or garage, I use a speed shop, and they charge $125 per hour. Not worth it just to do a compression test.
     
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  19. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    No worries there.
    A compression test is a diagnostic tool to help isolate problem areas.
    If your truck is running smoothly, enjoy.:)
     
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  20. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah it runs smooth except for the transmission, and it goes to the shop today finally.