2016 Radiator needs replacement

[Doug5656]

3 months ago I bought my 2016 1500 Laramie (5.7 Hemi) with a little over 84k miles. It was impeccably clean, appeared well cared for. Now, 3 months later just at 88k I get a coolant leak. Dealer says radiator is cracked (on a seam) and needs to be replaced at a THOUSAND DOLLARS? They also said they should do a coolant flush-thinking that is some of the 1000 cost? This just seems REALLY HIGH a cost to me? I know everything is more expensive these days but is this a fair price in NJ?

 

[HuskerRam]

Radiator is probably $300, couple hours of labor at $200+, plus a couple gallons of their coolant at $45 each...I'm lowballing a little but you're in the $1k ballpark. You could have an independent shop quote it for you and I'm certain it'll be cheaper.

 

[Green_Manalishi]

...or bust out some wrenches and order a replacement from somewhere like RockAuto and do it yourself.

2016 RAM 1500 5.7L V8 Radiator | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

DISCLAIMER: I don't work for RockAuto or receive anything for mentioning them.

 

[jws123]

Get away from the dealer take it somewhere else no way a radiator should be anywhere near $1000 I put a aftermarket rad in my truck from roackauto $180 its not a bad job at all.

 

[Demon340v]

I replaced my radiator in my 2015 2 years ago. Mine was not cracked but my water pump pulley was failing. So I said when in Rome!

I ditched factory and went with a Cold Case Radiator. It took me about 2 hours of taking my time to swap it. I can say in the Texas Heat it does it’s job.

Side note: I went to a 190 thermostat as well since I swapped the water pump and I ditched the clutch fan and did the V6 fan swap.


But yes look for a new shop or buy the radiator and drop it in.

 

[GTyankee]

First Drive to a Radiator Shop

Request that they look at it & get an estimate

They may say that it needs cleaning out & fix the leaks

If it can't be fixed, it may not need tanks, they can buy a brand new core & solder your old tanks onto the new core.

Otherwise, as mentioned, RockAuto & DIY
Replacing the water pump is a option, if the truck has been taken care of, the water pump could last until 150,000 miles ?

 

[Wild one]

First Drive to a Radiator Shop

Request that they look at it & get an estimate

They may say that it needs cleaning out & fix the leaks

If it can't be fixed, it may not need tanks, they can buy a brand new core & solder your old tanks onto the new core.

Otherwise, as mentioned, RockAuto & DIY
Replacing the water pump is a option, if the truck has been taken care of, the water pump could last until 150,000 miles ?

Plastic tanks on the rads these days,not like the old style rads with copper end tanks.

 

[Lee Peterson]

A Spectra rad from Rockauto is only $100. I've never had a problem with them used 3 times for trucks. Install should take under an hour. water pump fan, then shroud then AC line bolt then ac fan just unclips and 2 bolts up top of rad and 2 hoses.

 

[Doug5656]

Just as an update. After talking to the dealership about the cost; I was informed on 2016 Rams (mines a Laramie) that the AC system needs to be drained and as a result, obviously, requires a recharge as well? At least on my truck. He said not all need this but by inputting the Vin the system requirements for a radiator swap come up. I did do some comparing and research and it could be as much as $1600 around here. While I might have been able to handle a radiator swap I surely dont have what Id need to do all that to the AC system. Let alone know a damn thing about the system. Someday Id like to learn but this isnt a time for me to f around with my truck trying to learn things. Very much need it running and running right. Thank you all for the responses and suggestions, I very much appreciate every one of em.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

No way you need to disconnect the A/C condenser to remove the radiator, go to a different shop, get away from that N/G Stealercluster.

 

[Green_Manalishi]

Just as an update. After talking to the dealership about the cost; I was informed on 2016 Rams (mines a Laramie) that the AC system needs to be drained and as a result, obviously, requires a recharge as well? At least on my truck. He said not all need this but by inputting the Vin the system requirements for a radiator swap come up. I did do some comparing and research and it could be as much as $1600 around here. While I might have been able to handle a radiator swap I surely dont have what Id need to do all that to the AC system. Let alone know a damn thing about the system. Someday Id like to learn but this isnt a time for me to f around with my truck trying to learn things. Very much need it running and running right. Thank you all for the responses and suggestions, I very much appreciate every one of em.

How to Replace Radiator 2013-2018 Dodge Ram 1500

Buy Now!New Radiator from 1AAuto.com http://1aau.to/ic/1ARAD01113This video shows you how to install a radiator on your 2013-2018 Dodge Ram 1500. Overheating...

youtu.be

Watch this. He replaces it in about 27 minutes. No A/C lines opened. Of course, during that time he doesn't have to search for the correct wrench or pop a top on a Shiner, but you get the point.

 

[GTyankee]

I like that hose clamp tool, i had not seen 1 before

 

[04fxdwgi]

Be willing to bet that the extra charges pertaining to the A/C system are there in case the guy replacing it isn't the brightest out there and blows the charge while gorilla'ing the A/C condenser away from the radiator. Then they have the extra costs covered. If he does it without damaging A/C then the extra charge goes to their bottom line as a freebee.

 

[ATNC]

I replaced mine approx. 4 weeks ago. Took about 2 hrs. No A/C lines disconnected. 2015 Laramie/Longorn. Bought it from allmoparparts.com. $300.00 plus shipping.

 

[Demon340v]

You 100% don’t have to drain the AC. Damn the dealer is trying to get you good. Go to another shop!

 

[Hemi395]

I replaced my radiator in my 2015 2 years ago. Mine was not cracked but my water pump pulley was failing. So I said when in Rome!

I ditched factory and went with a Cold Case Radiator. It took me about 2 hours of taking my time to swap it. I can say in the Texas Heat it does it’s job.

Side note: I went to a 190 thermostat as well since I swapped the water pump and I ditched the clutch fan and did the V6 fan swap.


But yes look for a new shop or buy the radiator and drop it in.

How was the fitment on the cold case radiator? How are the welds? I'm seriously considering this rad but it's almost $500 and I'd like to be sure it's a quality unit.

 

[Dodge trucker]

Plastic tanks on the rads these days,not like the old style rads with copper end tanks.

Yup unfortunately

 

[JW2 Innovations]

Just as an update. After talking to the dealership about the cost; I was informed on 2016 Rams (mines a Laramie) that the AC system needs to be drained and as a result, obviously, requires a recharge as well? At least on my truck. He said not all need this but by inputting the Vin the system requirements for a radiator swap come up. I did do some comparing and research and it could be as much as $1600 around here. While I might have been able to handle a radiator swap I surely dont have what Id need to do all that to the AC system. Let alone know a damn thing about the system. Someday Id like to learn but this isnt a time for me to f around with my truck trying to learn things. Very much need it running and running right. Thank you all for the responses and suggestions, I very much appreciate every one of em.

Like all are saying here...find another shop & you don't have to break into the A/C - if you aren't a DIY.


Like the video above shows, not a hard job for a DIY'r. If it were me, I'd go all aluminum for ~half of what the shop is quoting you and call it day. Save some $$, have a better part/solution, and you know it's done right. But that's just me.

 

[Dalt10]

I changed my radiator out a few months ago. The AC lines are bolted to the radiator on the passenger side. You can unbolt them without draining the Freon. Two bolts are a pain to get to, to unbolt the AC lines but doable. I paid under $300 for my radiator. Did it in about 2 hours.

 

[Jwithing]

FYI... this is an option as well if you want an aluminum radiator.

09-20 Dodge Ram 1500 Truck Aluminum Performance Radiator

www.coldcaseradiators.com