Possible major oil leak

brainfreze27 · #1 09-16-2018, 04:50 PM

So about a week a go my oil pressure gauge started going crazy at random times. Just flicking up and down randomly and I decided to do an oil and filter change. When I went down and drained the oil there was very little oil. Literally less than a quart. So I put more oil and changed the filter. About three days or 4 days later I checked my fluids again because the oil pressure gauge was doing the same thing. I pulled my dip stick and it was bone dry again. Anyone know any possible problems. There is no oil pool underneath the vehicle. I got underneath the veichke and realized a small leak from the rear main seal but it looked moist and not enough to drain all my oil. Any ideas?

tomboy · #2 09-16-2018, 05:58 PM

Notice any smoke from the exhaust pipe?

brainfreze27 · #3 09-16-2018, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomboy

Notice any smoke from the exhaust pipe?

Have not been able to check I'm about to fill up again and have someone stand behind me see if its smoking.

Undrstm8ed · #4 09-16-2018, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainfreze27

Have not been able to check I'm about to fill up again and have someone stand behind me see if its smoking.

If its not leaking anywhere, you're burning it and to burn 3-4 qts in a few days.. The Exxon Mobil Valdez oil spill didnt leak that bad...!!

the back of your bumper and tailgate should be coated in oil/exhaust fumes residue if not the underneath of the truck.

Did you check the dipstick right after the engine was running or did you let it sit for a few first? How about the radiator fluid? Have you checked to see if you have oil in the coolant?

tomw0 · #5 09-17-2018, 08:34 AM

Given that is is unlikely someone is stealing your oil, I would check the PCV system. If the valve gets stuck or the oil separator on the side of the engine under the intake gets filled with 'stuff', it can suck the oil out of the oil pan and feed it to the cylinders. You would likely get a lot of smoke.
When you fill the sump, you need to wait a while before checking with the dipstick to give the oil time to trickle down from the filler.
If you have no obvious external leaks, then the oil is being consumed somehow.

With the engine at idle, you should be able to take a magazine 'blow in' subscription card, hold it on the cam cover at the oil filler, and a slight vacuum should form to hold it in place. The card should stay there without any assistance. If not, the PCV system is not working properly. You may have blowby such that the slight vacuum cannot form.
tom

brainfreze27 · #6 09-17-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undrstm8ed

If its not leaking anywhere, you're burning it and to burn 3-4 qts in a few days.. The Exxon Mobil Valdez oil spill didnt leak that bad...!!

the back of your bumper and tailgate should be coated in oil/exhaust fumes residue if not the underneath of the truck.

Did you check the dipstick right after the engine was running or did you let it sit for a few first? How about the radiator fluid? Have you checked to see if you have oil in the coolant?

Checked it both hot and cold on two separate occasions. No oil in the coolant either theres a pic of exhaust

brainfreze27 · #7 09-17-2018, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomw0

Given that is is unlikely someone is stealing your oil, I would check the PCV system. If the valve gets stuck or the oil separator on the side of the engine under the intake gets filled with 'stuff', it can suck the oil out of the oil pan and feed it to the cylinders. You would likely get a lot of smoke.
When you fill the sump, you need to wait a while before checking with the dipstick to give the oil time to trickle down from the filler.
If you have no obvious external leaks, then the oil is being consumed somehow.

With the engine at idle, you should be able to take a magazine 'blow in' subscription card, hold it on the cam cover at the oil filler, and a slight vacuum should form to hold it in place. The card should stay there without any assistance. If not, the PCV system is not working properly. You may have blowby such that the slight vacuum cannot form.
tom

So I picked up a new pcv valve from autzone but have no idea where the pcv system is on this vehicle any idea?

tomw0 · #8 09-18-2018, 04:15 AM

The PCV valve is embedded in what appears to be heater hose on the drivers side, almost under the intake manifold. There is an oil separator plugged into the side of the block(under the center of the intake manifold), which has hose leading forward. That length stops, and the PCV valve is shoved into it. There is another length, after the PCV valve that goes up to the intake manifold. Just pull the two pieces apart, and insert the PCV valve. You do not need the plastic elbow style adapter for this application.
What weight oil are you using? The Lima was not designed to use 5W20 and may not like it much. If you switched to synthetic, you may help your consumption by switching back to regular 10W30 or 15W40 (SuperTech diesel, Rotella, etc). The Dx oils seem to have more ZDDP which is needed for sliding cam followers. Well, it helps them last without damage and with less wear.
tom

brainfreze27 · #9 09-18-2018, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomw0

The PCV valve is embedded in what appears to be heater hose on the drivers side, almost under the intake manifold. There is an oil separator plugged into the side of the block(under the center of the intake manifold), which has hose leading forward. That length stops, and the PCV valve is shoved into it. There is another length, after the PCV valve that goes up to the intake manifold. Just pull the two pieces apart, and insert the PCV valve. You do not need the plastic elbow style adapter for this application.
What weight oil are you using? The Lima was not designed to use 5W20 and may not like it much. If you switched to synthetic, you may help your consumption by switching back to regular 10W30 or 15W40 (SuperTech diesel, Rotella, etc). The Dx oils seem to have more ZDDP which is needed for sliding cam followers. Well, it helps them last without damage and with less wear.
tom

I'm currently using high mileage 5w20 I am going to replace the pcv valve and switch to 10w30 see what happens

tomw0 · #10 09-19-2018, 06:11 AM

Try some 15w40 ... For diesel service. If you are in a non-freezing zone, it should be good for hot days, and have no start-up flow problems. Little stronger base oil used than the 10W.
tom