Using a LOT of oil, replaced plenum and gauge acting silly.

[GrizzlyRam]

So here's the deal, I have a 2003 5.9L gasser that I did the plenum replacement on. I also replaced my heads (after they cracked) with a set of Hughes Engines Iron Ram heads.

Since then (this has been about 2 years ago), I have had constant oil usage. I haven't taken it to have a compression test run or anything like that, mainly because the shop who did the work said that all compression was good when they finished up.

Up until about a week ago, the truck didn't smoke very much at all, now it seems that it smokes easier and only under throttle. If im idling still, there is no (or very little) smoke. Smoke is bluish, which makes me think that I'm burning oil somewhere. Also, the exhaust smells rich (which probably doesn't help my MPGs).

Also, my oil pressure gauge seems to have a mind of its own now. When my oil was getting low, any time I hit a hard stop, the gauge would bottom out and the light come on (from the pick up being in the back of the pan, I assume). After I filled it up with oil last night, my gauge seems to bottom out at random (even sitting still) or it maxes out, light comes on and then it bottoms all the way out and resets.

Basically, after all of that, I just would like to know where all my oil is going. The truck doesnt run rough at all and I just add oil about every 2 weeks and deal with it. I've tried STP Stop Smoke and other random additives to see if that may help and it does temporarily, but it always comes back.

Thanks for any help you guys may be, I've posted this across different forums and not found very much guidance.

 

[ramhunter9]

Sounds like it is a CTD in a gassers body ..lol ..

Just joking , I would think from what you have stated you are in fact burning oil , but from where is the question .

I am sure the gang will chime in . I know Tony had a thread on this at one point . I will see if I can located it .

Welcome to RF also , glad to have you .

 

[ramhunter9]

Check this threads bud ... might help

http://www.ramforum.com/f61/loosing-oil-please-help-7614/

http://www.ramforum.com/f77/318-plenum-reinforcement-kit-1250/

 

[wermbang]

Something may of happened to the plenum again, I would check it. Is there any loss performance wise, gas mileage? not just the drop in pressure as stated.

 

[joetama]

My guess on the pressure drops and jumps is the oil intake might be partially plugged or gunked up from running the pan that empty.

As for the burning, start down the list of probable causes. Plenum, rings, head gasket issues, etc.

 

[ramhunter9]

And let us know how this turned out , could help others down the line

 

[GrizzlyRam]

Thanks for the welcome, the links and the suggestions.

LOL I had actually thought this truck is trying to be like it's bigger diesel brother with all the smoke and oil drinking.

I'll pull the CAI and look into the throttle body today to see if there is any oil build up.

I figured the odd happenings with the oil gauge were probably from gunk clogging the pick up screen.

I don't notice any real performance losses...I'm running 35" Toyo Open Country tires on 18" wheels, and I have the 3.92 stock gears. On average, I get about 10-12 MPG combined highway and city driving. I have a Superchips tuner set on 87 Octane. I figured from that motor and the big tires on stock gearing 10-12 was about normal.

Piston rings was the first thing I thought of, because I had checked inside the TB for oil several times since the plenum repair to make sure it did well. The repair was the kit from Hughes Engines.

 

[wermbang]

Yeah the 10-12 is normal.

 

[Bigtman07]

Did you ever get any results here?? Sounds like it could be rings. But do a compression check. Also check your plugs. If the rings are shot then you will deff see it on the plugs. If there isn't any oil in the plenum then we need to be looking at all the places where oil can go. If I recall correctly the iron ram heads have a 202 valve and if the valve guides didn't seal right then there could be part of it. But ir sounds like you need to tear it back down and start checking parts. it could be a gasket. But the fact that it does smoke is a bug help. That lets us all know that the oil is getting into the actual cylinders in a good flow. The whole oil gauge thing is fromt eh oil moving from the rear of the pan to the front away from the oil sending unit and pump. I had the same issue.

My suggestion is to pull the intake and check the gaskets. Then pull the heads. But before all of that check your compression. See if there are any issues there. I think all cylinders should be at like 80 psi. not 100% Check out the DIY section the service manual is in there and that can tell you a lot.

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Was the block checked before the heads went on it?