Also, I thought I'd mention that my dipstick tube rusted through near the exhaust manifold and caused a vacuum leak... This is just one more thing to check. I see you are from NY- I'm originally from Rochester NY and my vehicle has seen some salt.

 

Dipstick tube? How would that cause a vacuum leak? Still bad because of fluid contamination to whereever it goes, but still.

I go to college in Cobleskill. Last winter was the worst in a while. Barely any rust on this thing before, but there was noticably more by the end of it. This is with undercoat and washing the undercarriage after every storm.

 

ok since we r all from ny, me in brooklyn, and i have major vac issues then im fully related to this thread. i noticed my oil refill tube is loose where it meets the engine.. could that be a vac issue as well. or is it loose on everyones trucks...