Today I did all of the above as mentioned. I ran the truck for 10-15 minutes and put cardboard underneath to catch drops of oil. Nothing yet, but overnight might tell and when I run errands tomorrow and Sunday. I'll get back here as soon as I have an update. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

Keep us updated.

And, thanks so much for your contribution to my website!!!

 

Hi all - I will do the best I can to describe my RMS problem. From the aove, you know I went through 10+ quarts of oil on a 4k+ road trip to Salt Lake City, Denver, Sante Fe, Austin, Phoenix, and back home to S.F. Here is a pic of the first sign of trouble; a 4" diameter pool of oil at a gas station I noticed when I was coming down from Salt Lake City

Same gas station - notice the engine oil on the transmission oil pan cover:

This is a picture of the original drain plug. I HAD to wipe off all the oil because it was just so wet underneath:





So a few days ago, I put in 10-40W Castrol Extended mileage oil, oil filter, new drain plug (suspecting that quick change plug which is used by some of those quick-change shops may be contributing to the issue). I ran a few errands and drove maybe only 10 miles; notice the oil drop on the bell-cover , where the RMS is, and the few drops on the cardboard underneath. NOTE: I tokk this pic(s) the NEXT day, after letting the car set overnight:








This is after a 75 mile freeway trip and after I let the truck sit overnight:


















My Summary: It is difficult to isolate what exactly caused the problem. I didn't want to experiment by first changing the oil plug and then driving it . .waiting . . and then trying the Liqui Moly . . .driving . . .etc. So the best I can say is that several things caused the major loss of oil over my trip: 1) mistakenly putting in lighter oil AFTER I noticed the drip (5W-20); 2) possible drain plug failure; 3) and the LiquiMoly helped seal the RMS leak.
It is a totally manageable leak - for now.

 

Checked the rear valve cover bolts yet?

 

Done. Dry as a bleached bone.

 

So, do you think it is the rear main at this point, or are you driving it more to find out for sure?

 

It leaked because 1) bad drain plug and/or 2) I didn't put the Liqui Moly 2020 Motor Oil Saver in there before I left for my 4k trip (I honestly don't remember) or 3) the thin oil I used made it leak badly.

I 'd have to replace the new plug with the old one and drive to see if I get the leaks back and if not, drain the oil and put in thinner oil without the lube-sealer to see what happens. This is what I meant earlier when I said I didn't want to "experiment" to isolate the cause.

For now Cruiser54, I have to be content with a new drain plug and Moly-lube and heavier oil as the solution and watch my oil level (and ground spots).

Thanks for your help. It's not totally satisfying to not know exactly what caused the excessive oil leak, but am happy I don't have one.

 

Keep us in the loop.