Massive oil leak only when driving?

Tiny
JASON LYNCH
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I had oil leaks all over my father-in-law's van listed above EX model. I replaced the valve cover gaskets and oil pan gasket torqued all bolts to spec and used Fel-Pro gaskets. It ran great for a day or two then noticed oil burning off of the exhaust. Stopped and checked it out oil was on the passenger side all the way down to the back of the car from driving, what a mess about quarter and a half 2 quarts of oil. Mind you I just did an oil change so got back home filled the oil back up let it sit in the driveway while I was underneath it for about 45 minutes not one leak or drip anywhere. Drove it for about 10-15 minutes down the road started leaking again. Pulled over immediately looking underneath can't find the leak anywhere. Please help me; where should I look the oil filter is fine, no leaking around there. It's on the back side of the motor on the passenger side, nothing on the driver side or transmission side. I'm lost here and can't find it. Please help.
Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 2:28 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Hi,

That is an interesting one. I do have a question. If you open the oil fill cap when the engine is running, is there a lot of pressure coming out? I ask because we may be building too much crankcase pressure due to a faulty PCV valve.

See pic 1 below. Remove and inspect the PCV valve as well as the hose to make sure nothing is clogged.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.
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Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 11:36 PM
Tiny
JASON LYNCH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, there's nothing clogged in the hose for the PCV valve the bottom where it threads into the valve cover did crack off, so I took a hacksaw and just made it even about three or four threads up from the bottom and even cut screwed it back in nice and easily it threaded right in not cross threaded not sitting crooked nice and straight as it's supposed to be. As far as pressure coming out of the other valve cover very little bit of air coming out I put my whole hand over it and can barely feel it with my palm over it. So, thankfully not too much pressure there. I do have a lot of whining going on though from power steering pump going out. When I bought the vehicle it was whining really bad so I took off the reservoir cleaned it really well the screen and let it dry out then put back on vehicle and then let it quieted it down tremendously, but now it's whining pretty good on the pulley side. Sorry it took so long to reply back I was under car and phone didn't make any noise I will monitor it now if you reply back. Thank you
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Sunday, March 26th, 2023 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Hi Jason, let me know how things work out. I'm interested in knowing. Also, feel free to let me know if you have questions or if I can help in any way.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, March 26th, 2023 AT 8:30 PM

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