hey i just replaced a blown timing seal on my 1998 dodge ram 1500 and that fixe my problem 4 awhile but now im staRTING to lose oil again, about 4 quaRTS oil every 3000 miles, any suggestions on what miught be the problem?

intake pan gasket

I have the same truck with the same problem. I replaced the intake gaskets when the plennum (sp?) pan gaskets went out.
I do need to replace the timing cover gasket but the weird thing is that it does not leak when parked/not running as there is no oil stains on my driveway where I park it and it doesn't blow any blue smoke at all. I am using about the same oil amount as cody.
I even thought it may be building too much pressure and blowing it out so I replaced the PCV valve and still the same.
Mine also "knocks" horribly unless I run 91 octane or above and when I use anything with the 10% ethanol mix. I think this may be the crank sensor but wouldn't I get a light on the dash for that? I'm stumped.

zrt4me that is exactly what im experiencing i just cant figure out where its going

See TSB's 09-05-00, and 18-48-98 It applies to the 3.9L 5.2L and 5.9L motors. You might be able to find these online or at the local library if they have access to AllData's website. The bulletins seem to address a problem similar to yours.

I'll have to check that out. Mine is the 5.9.

Does it look like it is leaking at all? When you replace a timing cover seal on a small block chrsler engine you need to put the harmonic balancer on before you tighten the cover bolts. There are no dowels to align the cover so if you just put the cover on and tighten it, then put the balancer on the balancer hub won't be centered on the seal and could cause a leak while it is running.

plenum gasket-- final answer

"plenum gasket-- final answer"

Replaced that, still loses oil. Do you have another final answer?

Look down in the throttle bodies, and see if the bottom of the intake looks really oily.
remove all spark plugs to see if any look substantialy different.
With the truck runnig, remove the oil fill cap and hold the rpm around 2000 rpm.
If all of that checks out, and it never smokes at start up, I will have to suggest a lifeline- www.dodgeforum.com

it goes the same place all our socks go.socks mate in the washer and become hangers.not a joke,do the math.look in your closet

I looked in my closet, couldn't find the oil in there either.

I have a GM with 235,000 miles on it that would use 1 quart of oil between Milwaukee and Wausau about 190 miles. I started with putting in Valve guide seals, which took care of some of the problem. The major problem was found after I took it in. It was an intake gasket they found it by blocking off all of the vacuum lines and PCV valve. Than they put a vacuum gauge on the dipstick if it draws excessive vacuum through the dipstick you know that you have a bad intake gasket. The other symptom was a spark plug that looked like it had a growth on the electrode which showed that it was burning oil.
Now I burn less than a quart in 3000 miles
When I say intake gasket I mean the gaskets between the cyclinder heads and intake it draws the oil in from the valley by the push rods

As far as not seeing any smoke the converter real cleans things up so I am not suprised
Good luck

i will look into that thanks

I found this on a dodge form and thought of your problem. I am having problems with my V10 and I think it is a head problem. It does not hold radiator pressure any more and is burning 1 gallon of coolant in 1000 Miles

But here is the info I found

If you still have a 318-360 magnum engine, and it started to use alot of oil, they have a problem with the plate thats bolts to the bottom of the intake manifold. The gasket blows out in between 5 & 7 cylinders, and sucks oil out of the lifter valley.

I have a pos 05 z71 with 75k on it it is burning 2qt every 3k.when it was still under warr 3 mo ago tryed to get dealer to fix thay tryed to tell me gm spec is 1 qt every 1000 mi.what the F with spec's like that is it any supprise thay went tits up and are now owned buy the union and the fed.mr good wrench my ars

If it is not leaking oil it is burning it. If you are having the knocking problem this is an indication that you are burning oil. Carbon from the burning oil builds up on the top of the pistons causing hot spots. These hot spot cause preignition of the fuel air mixture which is the knocking sound you hear. There are several ways oil can get into the combustion chambers. Oil rings, valve seals, intake gaskets or the PCV valve are a few ways.