Life destroying Oil Leak

So reading on here I guess these trucks have been known to have a few oil leak issues.

I know I still need to wash all the oil off and see if the rear main seal is leaking (at that point the truck basically is a loss) but what I have been dealing with is this...

bought the truck in December and was told by previous owner that when he changed the head gasket he used the old valve cover gasket and it 'leaked a little oil.' Simple fix I thought....

After trial and error, 3 gasket sets and the 7th time doing the job I figured out it wasn't the gasket. I then took it to a mechanic and paid him $90 to tell me that my valve cover had a crack in it and he'd try to patch it with some jb weld (didn't work) and so I cleaned the crack with acetone and lightly sanded the area with steel wool. The jb weld seems to be holding up, I don't see it leaking from that area but the damn truck is bone dry on oil yet again.

The only lead I have is that removing the valve cover I've noticed a lot of oil being sucked into the intake tube? There doesn't appear to be any contamination into the coolant and the truck runs great doesn't smoke or anything. It just leaks way too much oil and now I have no clue what to check next and I'm basically broke from buying 500 quarts of oil. Should I try to find a new valve cover? Try to take it to another shop?

Ideas?

These engines do burn oil as they age. Other leak areas can be the mechanical fuel pump base, and the rear cam seal.

You should be able to find a used valve cover without much trouble, if that is really the issue.

Sounds like you have more than one leak... Are you sure it's your "only" leak?

If you find it's the problem, front and rear crank leaks can be fixed with repair sleeves...I believe the rear needs to have the trans dropped... the front can be done in the truck and is easier. Those two leaks can be significant - much more significant than the valve cover. one of the most common is the oil pump or front crank seal.

You need to clean the engine as well as you can then start looking at one thing at a time to find the leak(s). Shooting blind will never work. For example, sounds like you know the valve cover is broken, get a new or bone yard unit or get that one professionally repaired.

Be patient, between guys here and you, it will be figured out. Dan

Cool thank you. I'm going to spray the car down tomorrow and start looking. 2 quarts leaked bone dry within 2 hours. It's a significant leak. There's lots of oil down in the whole area under the engine but where else does it have to go? I almost just want to sell the truck for $1500, it has 4 brand new tires on it and a total straight body and nothing wrong other than the leak. Even worth that much? Seriously such a pain in the ass.

If you don't really like the truck selling is an option but if you like it a little patience will go a long way. My Dad always said these trucks teach you patience - he was sooo right!!!

With it leaking that fast I can tell you it's not a valve cover, its most likely a main seal. After you clean it and run the engine you should be able to see it flowing if it's loosing it that fast. Use a mirror to see the back end of the engine near the valve cover and head.

If it's as nice as you say, post some pics and your location, someone here or on mazdatrucking.com might be interested. Dan

i just got to ask have you though to check the pcv vavle cause if those things stop up they use oil a whole lot and telling this if it aint that i betting your rear main sealing is leaking cause that will make oil vashise too