Now it's losing oil!!!

[lisa1229]

My '99 Durango has another problem, it is losing oil. There are no oil spots on the driveway. It's not burning it (no dark smoke from exhaust) I am putting in 1 quart every 2 weeks and I have no idea where the oil is going. Can anyone help?

I also have a question about the exhaust manifold. I read online that the Durango did not originally come with an exhaust manifold gasket. My Durango has had an exhaust leak at the manifold since january, it has also blown through 2 gaskets. My brother in law suggested we use some kind of liqiud gasket or the silicone sealant in place of a regular gasket. Will something like that work?
(exhaust manifold is not warped)

[Smoke24]

Sounds just like mine did a couple of months ago. It had sucked in the intake manifold gasket and started using about a quart of oil every week or two progressively getting worse. You never notice it smoking, I guess because it uses such a small amount of oil all along, but this can cause the oil usage. Mine has about 77k actual miles on it and it's a '99 with 5.9L engine.

Have no idea about the exhaust manifold gaskets? I haven't had that problem yet but the transmission just went out. First slow to shift at times then over time wouldn't shift at all. Would only run in low and reverse.

[lisa1229]

When your intake manifold gasket got sucked in was your truck still drivable? I'm asking because other than needing a new 02 sensor my durango drives just fine.

[Smoke24]

Yea, mine ran and drove just fine too. I just couldn't stand the oil usage, got to about a quart every day or two, and the chance of burning up the engine as it progressively got worse. I did some research here, the Dodge forums and other places and found out that it is a very common problem and has caused many to buy an engine. I think the repair cost me about $250 but flat rate book is more like $450 or so depending on their hourly rate. A friend who owns his own shop did mine and cut me a break or I think he did. I probably wouldn't have done it that cheap for someone else.

[n8zdogg]

Its the intake plenum gasket - my 01 durango went form using 1qt every 1000 miles (reported by Dodge dealer tech to be acceptable) to using a 1pint every 2000 miles since the repair was done.