I purchased my Ram in April...

Since then I've adjusted the valves, replaced the front oil seal, "Sonned" the KDP (owned it ), added a K&N and deleted the muffler/cat/silencer ring.

I put 12 quarts of oil in around 2500 miles ago...

The level read about an inch above the "SAFE" line...

Now it reads about 3/8" above safe...

Am I burning too much oil?

The oil pan gasket leaves me a 1 inch spot everytime I run it hot and park it...

Sometimes it doesnt drip...

Instead of raising my idle, I use the pressure on the pedal method...

Does that use oil at startup?

I'm a little salty

 

I wouldent sweat it yet. If I try to keep my 95`s with 150K at the exact full mark it seems to go thru oil. I add 11 quarts (you overfilled it somewhat) and run it about 1/3 way up to the full mark. I typically go 5k to 7K like this without adding anything. Sure the oil spot isnt from the draft tube to the left of the pan? mine is like a dog marking its spot everywhere.

 

Running right onto the bellhousing and dropping from there

What is the full mark? 11 quarts?

 

What kind of oil you use. I learned something Mobil Oil in the Gallon containers ain't a gallon its 5 quarts filled mine up with 3 extra quarts I just thought it was a gallon container.

 

You did overfill it by 1 qt. The newer trucks do take 12. The difference? Shorter dipstick from 04 on.

 

I've been putting 12 quarts in both my trucks for over 200k each.
No big deal, lots of people do it. Saves you from having a gallon container hanging around with just a quart in it.

 

Well what do you guys think?

I use Castrol 15w 40

My dipstick read about an inch over the safe mark when I filled it @ 2500 miles ago, now its about 1/4" to 3/8" above the safe mark...

Am I burning too much oil?

Do you guys that use 12 quarts get 12 quarts back out?

What are the marks on the dipstick? 11 quarts safe line?

 

I just don't know how you guys keep your oil for 10,000+ miles... seems like mine is going somewhere, or am I crazy?

 

no, you're not using too much...

 

DB, have you checked the oil pan bolts? Really a 1" spot is not too bad, but is something to look at. Are you sure that you got the valve cover gasket back correctly after you adjusted the valves? Can you see where the oil is leaking from?

 

Valve covers are dry...

The oil pan bolts are all tightened down (80ft), and they are all wet as well... nothing much, a little seepage...

I know I need to change the gasket...

You think I'm straight?

EDIT: I just noticed you are right up the street from me (Rt. 62)...

 

The reason I'm concerned is that I paid a nice sum of money for this truck and put a LOT down to ease the payments...

I hope I'm not using oil...

I just don't understand why I can't be the guy who keeps oil in his truck for 10,000 miles...

Am I being paranoid for no reason?

The oil is clean, not black at all...

 

Help!

 

Is your Castrol 15/40 a diesel rated oil? Why is it clean after 2500 miles? It should be black because a diesel oil is formulated to keep the soot in suspension.

 

is it going below the safe mark? if not, then don't worry about it...

get that Castrol out of there, run some Rotella or Delo, and change it about every 5k miles.

quit worrying, I don't see what the big deal is