Sudden massive oil leak

[Oldtom]

I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan with 3.3 L V6. I recently smelled hot oil and checked under the engine. The entire underside of the engine and vehicle underbody is soaked in motor oil. When the engine is running, there is a drip from the engine about every 3 seconds. Everything is so oil soaked it is difficult to tell where the oil is coming from. I have added 2 quarts of oil in the last 150 miles.

Do those UV oil dye kits work for spotting a leak? Who sells a good one?

Are Dodge Caravans known for sudden oil leaks? If so, what generally leaks?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[vw7674]

start at the valve covers.
have no idea about 3.3L construction/upkeep but I always start at those covers.
then the oil pressure sender, then front seal, oil pan, ..........

 

[Chris142]

A leak that big should be easy to spot. Most likely the oil filter or oil sender.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Amazon has the kits and black light it you want to try it.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Double gasket oil filter?

 

[zrxkawboy]

Originally Posted by Chris142
Most likely the oil filter or oil sender.


Agreed...something with some pressure behind it.

 

[JLTD]

Agree with Chris142....Especially if you changed the oil recently, I would suspect the canister filter on the outside of the engine… Also, that vintage of Chrysler product had a problem with the oil sending unit developing a leak; the ex wife's 2004 Jeep Wrangler 2.4 L developed a huge leak and it was the sending unit.

 

[Rand]

you should be able to clean it up and see the leak if its leaking that much.

 

[Lubener]

Degrease the engine and then start looking. Should be easy to spot the leak.

 

[Trav]

+1 On the oil filter or pressure sender.

 

[Audios]

Typical Chrysler/Dodge sending unit leak. Was common on the neons.

 

[das_peikko]

Oil pressure switch is the first thing I'd check in that situation where there's a sudden large leak.

 

[WobblyElvis]

I had a Dodge Caravan 3.3 that developed a large oil leak from the rear head gasket, passenger end. It went to the bone yard.