97 5.9.wheres my oil going

[transgta]

My sons 97 ram 4x4 5.9 has used a quart of oil in about 1500 miles.Its got 112000 miles on it doesnt smoke nor drip.Its not a new problem jus tired of it.I kno its prolly wear and tear but my ford with 150000 uses hardly any.I was just wondering if theres anything we should do or jus keep adding.By the way oil pressure is strong all other fluids are good and clean. Also sometimes after hes driven it within an hour or so at startup it will idle a little irratically for 30 secs or so then smoothen out.Never after an all night sit though.Any ideas please.Thanks Dave

[rhandwor]

If it smokes on morning start up the valve seals maybe leaking. You can either use air or a small rope in the plug hole to hold the valves closed to change them. Go to a machine shop and get new umbrella seals.

[transgta]

Rhandwor u make it sound so easy.jus kiddn. thanks ill look into it ill get a book.Thanks again u always answer my threads

[Airjer_]

You might want to check to see if the belly pan gasket on the lower intake is cracked. To do this you can pinch the PCV hose then remove the breather hose from the air intake. Start it up and check for vacuum on the breather hose.

There shouldn't be any vacuum. If it tries to suck you finger into the hose its a pretty good bet that gasket is cracked. If you wait long enough it will start oil fouling the rear plugs on the passenger side (typically). The gasket is on the under side of the lower intake. Dodge has an updated kit that comes with a metal gasket and new bolts.

Just something else to check.

[hundahunta]

yup it's probably the intake manifold plenum gasket..tsb..

[transgta]

thanks so much ill check that tonight..Dave