Coolant flush at dealer

[GTyankee]

The fact is, that dealership did a coolant flush, so the system was clean.
Another fact is, according to the paperwork, they filled the system with HOAT !!

Another fact is, any 2013 Ram 1500 is suppose to have OAT Coolant in it, it does not matter the Ram was built in September, OAT is still called for.

So the issue is, unless there are stickers all over the place under the hood. How the heck is the next mechanic going to know that someone put the wrong coolant in the radiator or reservoir.
They would naturally pour OAT into the system, because it is a 2013 Ram

 

[Dusty]

The fact is, that dealership did a coolant flush, so the system was clean.
Another fact is, according to the paperwork, they filled the system with HOAT !!

Another fact is, any 2013 Ram 1500 is suppose to have OAT Coolant in it, it does not matter the Ram was built in September, OAT is still called for.

So the issue is, unless there are stickers all over the place under the hood. How the heck is the next mechanic going to know that someone put the wrong coolant in the radiator or reservoir.
They would naturally pour OAT into the system, because it is a 2013 Ram

View attachment 525992

Excellent post!

As mentioned, there was a coolant change on the line mid-year 2013.

I happen to be standing next to the parts counter at my dealership when a tech. came in and asked for coolant. The young lad at the time grabbed a jug of coolant to give to the tech. when another parts counter guy told him to wait and check the coolant type by the VIN. It so happen that he initially grabbed the wrong coolant.

So at least for 2013, you can't just go by the year.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 95740 miles.

 

[GTyankee]

One thing many people don't understand

Auto Makers Production Year, does not begin in January, or end in December

In a normal production year for Auto Makers
July 1 is the beginning of a production year
June 30 is the end of production year

2024 Ram Heavy Duty models began Production July 10th 2023

RAM	1500 (DT) Quad & Crew Cab production start up was 7/31/2023

 

[jh90731]

Glad I found this post. I'm getting ready to take my 2014 1500 in for a "service airbag system" warning and I'm planning to have them do a coolant flush and change at the same time. I too look at my coolant and it sure looks orange to me but when I was at the dealer several months ago inquiring about my coolant they told me it was the purple stuff. They told me there was a coolant change mid-year in 2014.

 

[Terry1958]

Color is next to worthless

Up until about June 2007, the Chrysler coolant was ..
Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) coolant , ( the Green Stuff )
About July 2007, the beginning of the 2007 Production year , to the end of the 2012 Chrysler production years, the coolant type was changed to

Coolant Antifreeze - Mopar (68048953AC)​

2007-2012 Mopar - 68048953ac
MOPAR HOAT, ( Hybrid Organic Acid Technology )

At the beginning of the 2013 FCA Ram Production year, they changed to Mopar OAT , ( Organic Acid Technology )


Quiz :
which is the Oat coolant jug, which is the HOAT coolant jug ?
Jugs Cap color is a hint.
View attachment 525917
10 Year marking on the jug indicates OAT, 5 year is HOAT

Concentrated coolant, will have a different Number than Prediluted

I wonder if you have a code reader on your cell phone,
would it read the what the actual product is

How to Scan a QR Code on an iPhone or Android : HelloTech How

These days, you can find QR codes on everything from candy wrappers to billboards. Scanning these modern-day barcodes with your smartphone lets you

www.hellotech.com

Interesting, my 2005 Ram came with the orange from the factory.

 

[GTyankee]

I guess the internet is not always correct

I just dug deeper

Hemmings: The Online Automotive Marketplace​

Hemmings
https://www.hemmings.com

"The bible" of the collector car hobby since 1954, Hemmings Motor News is the world's largest antique classic, vintage, muscle, street rod, and special interest ...

Wrote:
Normally, HOAT coolants are specified for vehicles newer than 2002, specifically Mercedes, Volvo, Ford, VW, Audi, Chrysler, BMW and Saab.

 

[06 Dodge]

Interesting, my 2005 Ram came with the orange from the factory.

My 2006 Dodge Ram also came with HOAT from the factory, it too was orange, when I flushed it I installed Clear coolant, the choice I has at the time for Zerex G-O5 was clear or yellow...

 

[3RdRam]

I knew Hoat was used in flush but manuals says 10Yr Oat. Got educated all because of wrong 1 gal coolant given lol. And half life coolant.
Dealer #2 today . Parts dept ran my vin ,stated recommended 10yr Hoat for 2013 ram. Not 5yr Hoat like dealer # 1 used in flush. Then I ask for gal of 5yr. hoat and they were out. That is when I showed him my work order for the Hoat flush and gal Oat there parts dealer #1 gave me. He then laughed. We then discussed owners and users manual about how they are wrong during times of change. Always run the vin. Also dealer # 1 should follow whats recommended. He last words it shows that truck gets work done here .I know. 18 miles away is where it a be next time.
Dealer #2 ran vin same thing Ram recommended is 10yr Haot 2013. Then discussed all of what I discussed with dealer #2 . I showed them work order on work done. Yes used 5 yr hoat. Same thing we laughed. Also found out dealer #1 changed ownership along with parts and service mgrs. Purchased gal of 5 yr hoat .
Now I will ask anyone performing work for me if they will be using recommended parts/products with proof. Always run the vin before you go or you could use parts shop to do it for you. It may not be mopar. How do I know I ckecked one to see for myself. Said 10yr hoat.
At minimum I got a 5 yr Hoat fush LOL. After I get back next Mon I'm going back to speak with mgr at dealer were work was preformed. Probably better I wait anyways.

Thanks everyone I hope this helps someone sometime. Now time to pop top.

 

[Hemi395]

@3RdRam I went thru this exact same problem with my 2013 Bighorn, it has a build date of 12/12. Right on the cusp of the changeover from HOAT to OAT. I'm pretty sure what was in my truck from the factory was the 10 year OAT coolant but the 10 Year OAT coolant changes to an orange color after a few years so its really hard to tell the difference between the OAT and HOAT.

Heres a thread I made on it several years ago on this exact topic:

What coolant is in my truck??

My truck is a 2013 1500 Hemi with a build date of 12/12. My owner's manual states that it has the OAT 10year/150000 mile Purple coolant. Everything I've seen says that 2013+ Rams have the OAT coolant from the factory. Yesterday I put a 190* thermostat in and I was going to do a mini flush but...

www.ramforum.com

 

[GTyankee]

Gentlemen or Ladies

There is no 10 year HOAT
the 10 year stuff is OAT

When FCA took over, ( Fiat Chrysler Automobiles )
Which was the Production Year of 2013, they started using OAT coolant
The first Ram built in production year of 2013
would have been built some where after July 1 of 2012

..............................................................................

why you can't trust COLORs

Coolant Testing CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, RAM, SRT with Refractometer

The Chrysler Corporation, as well as other modern car manufacturers, is using a new coolant mixture for newer engines. Chrysler's new OAT coolant is purple o...

www.youtube.com

 

[kdoublep]

My coolant is purple only in 30 day months and February

 

[NCRaineman]

My coolant is purple only in 30 day months and February

Here's a little fun. Was cleaning under the hood of my new Hemi Charger yesterday. The coolant which was purple when new is now orange... at 1200 miles.

 

[Dusty]

Here's a little fun. Was cleaning under the hood of my new Hemi Charger yesterday. The coolant which was purple when new is now orange... at 1200 miles.

Yeah, it fool you if you just stick your finger in it. I think you'll find that by pouring a quantity in a small clear glass it'll look more purple than orange.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 95880 miles.

 

[NCRaineman]

Yeah, it fool you if you just stick your finger in it. I think you'll find that by pouring a quantity in a small clear glass it'll look more purple than orange.

Not in this case. Unlike Rams the Charger has a clear overflow tank under the hood. Very easy to spot and check. It was definitely "grape drank" purple when I picked the car up, and is now orange

 

[GTyankee]

2012 RCSB should have come from the assembly plant with HOAT in the cooling system

I won't even guess what coolant may be in it now

 

[Dusty]

Not in this case. Unlike Rams the Charger has a clear overflow tank under the hood. Very easy to spot and check. It was definitely "grape drank" purple when I picked the car up, and is now orange

Any chance someone topped it off with orange at some point when the vehicle was in for service?

I just topped the overflow tank on mined a few weeks ago and depending on the light it does have a little orange hue to it.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 95912 miles.

 

[NCRaineman]

Any chance someone topped it off with orange at some point when the vehicle was in for service?

The car has 1200 miles on it. It's not been back to the dealer for any service since I took delivery last month.

Apparently the coolant starts purple and after several heat cycles the dye breaks down. Here's a shot I just took. In the shade it looks pink-ish. That's not the grape purple it was when I took delivery.

 

[GTyankee]

put some in a clear jar, preferably glass
then put it out in direct sun light

according to your Owners manual for the 2012 RCSB Dodge Ram 5.7L.
HOAT should be used in your coolant system

no matter what someone put in it, it does not change what the book indicates

 

[Nicholas Cove]

My 2019 Classic has orange coolant.

My 20 classic came with purple

 

[NCRaineman]

My 20 classic came with purple

The recent experience with my new Charger has me thinking they're the same. Whatever dye Mopar is using to make the stuff purple apparently breaks down over time.

Why they would do this is another question.