Coolant in rear end

[Upnorthwi]

I have a 21 ecodiesel limited. It has coolant in rear differential supposedly for fuel economy. Mine has a leak and there are 2 seals that cost $3 each list price that are unavailable no ETA or anything. Part number 68373120AA. I’m located in north central Wisconsin. I like this vehicle a lot no other issues and great fuel economy but I’ve been down 4 weeks today. If anyone knows where 2 of these are I’d be very grateful.

I cannot tell if it’s the cover leaking or the fitting, best guess is rusted cover by welds. Dealer has been quite helpful so far.

Also what is best way to connect with live person at Ram couldn’t care less (Ram Care)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wild one]

I have a 21 ecodiesel limited. It has coolant in rear differential supposedly for fuel economy. Mine has a leak and there are 2 seals that cost $3 each list price that are unavailable no ETA or anything. Part number 68373120AA. I’m located in north central Wisconsin. I like this vehicle a lot no other issues and great fuel economy but I’ve been down 4 weeks today. If anyone knows where 2 of these are I’d be very grateful.

I cannot tell if it’s the cover leaking or the fitting, best guess is rusted cover by welds. Dealer has been quite helpful so far.

Also what is best way to connect with live person at Ram couldn’t care less (Ram Care)?

Thanks in advance!

Rear ends operated for well over a 100 years with out coolant heating them,why don't you dump the coolant lines feeding it,and either Tee the coolant lines together,or get rid of them completely.
Doesn't seem like a big issue to bypass to me

 

[Upnorthwi]

Bypass won’t work sensors detect the temperature of fluid in rear end and disables cruise control and other functions if spread from front to rear is too high. We discussed it at the dealer.

 

[Wild one]

Bypass won’t work sensors detect the temperature of fluid in rear end and disables cruise control and other functions if spread from front to rear is too high. We discussed it at the dealer.

I'd think you could bypass that issue,by tying the front and rear sensors together,so both sensors read off the front diff.

 

[Upnorthwi]

I'd think you could bypass that issue,by tying the front and rear sensors together,so both sensors read off the front diff.

That would be over my skill level. Truck is still under warranty.

 

[JHoward]

That would be over my skill level. Truck is still under warranty.

If your truck is under warranty, let the dealer resolve your issue, or send a PM to @RamCares here in the RAMforum and state your dissatisfaction.

 

[HarryS]

To me, it looks like a seal like an AC compressor seal (O ring). If you take it apart, I'll bet you'll be able to go to your local auto parts shop, and they can match up the seal.

 

[BenchTest]

Sounds like the dealer can't resolve his issue. Truck is down due to lack of parts.

 

[BenchTest]

And, WTF??? Coolant to the rear diff? That's gotta be the most over-engineered dumba$$ thing I've heard in a while.

 

[WY-Dave]

google mopar 68373120AA atleast 10 online mopar parts sites list it, but none say if in stock

 

[Burla]

CEO of ram wants us to know we have to re-imagine Ram trucks. Coolant in diffs yeah, lets do away with the hemi yes, "Dare Forward 2030" ram to be carbon neutral by 2038 yeah team, new REV rams start at 60k but the great news is the hemi replacement starts at 54K. Rams are the new Tesla, lmao. As it turns out, she wasn't joking, they are actually doing whatever comes to mind to ensure these goals, and I think they will succeed, because nobody is going to buy this stuff moving forward, perfect plan, no sales = no carbon? So ridiculous to run 204f coolant to diffs, if they want thin oil they could have just spec'd 75w90 instead of 75w140! I guess nobody in the ceo's focus group came up with that one. Heat destroys oil longevity, that's a negative lady on your carbon goals.

 

[GTyankee]

just found this & it would seem useless in the Southern Deserts

A quote from the director of Ram Truck Engineering, Rob Wichman:

After the engine has been on for a few minutes, and the cabin heater performance has reached a certain level, coolant is sent through metal tubes, along the frame, down through “jounce hoses,” and into a water jacket in the rear differential cover. That warm coolant heats up the oil in the rear differential, thinning it, and reducing the energy needed for the internal gears to shear the fluid as the axle spins. The result is better fuel economy.

Mainly used for TOWING




looks like only the differential cover has a water jacket.
Not the differential

 

[DanAR]

Dang, a lot of complication for something that’s going to heat up on its own just fine. Anyone ever laid their hand on a differential cover after driving it about 10 miles. Modern technology!

 

[Wild one]

Bypass won’t work sensors detect the temperature of fluid in rear end and disables cruise control and other functions if spread from front to rear is too high. We discussed it at the dealer.

Post a few pics of the front differential,i'd like to see this sensor the dealer is claiming it has.If it has no temp sensor,i'd just bypass the coolant hoses,as i'm not seeing any temp sensor in the rear diff in the pics GT has posted,unless it's somehow got no wires to it,which is highly doubtful.
If it was my truck,i'd swap to an older cover,and get rid of the coolant hoses

 

[BenchTest]

Post a few pics of the front differential,i'd like to see this sensor the dealer is claiming it has.If it has no temp sensor,i'd just bypass the coolant hoses,as i'm not seeing any temp sensor in the rear diff in the pics GT has posted,unless it's somehow got no wires to it,which is highly doubtful

Well, in the spirit of over-engineering $hit, they made the sensors Bluetooth. They connect through the UConnect, except with that, they only connect about every 35th time the vehicle is started and then randomly drop out causing your rear diff to lock up, send you into a slide, and then unlock the next time you start (maybe, depends on the humidity).

 

[BenchTest]

I know I only get about 7 MPG until my differential heats up, thinning the fluid, then I immediately jump up to 32mpg. As a matter of fact, I get on my back and preheat my diffs with a torch so that I get good MPG every trip.

HOT GARBAGE. What a joke. I hope some dumba$$ engineer gets fired for this, whipped with his beloved coolant line, and shoved into purgatory.

 

[BenchTest]

Dang, a lot of complication for something that’s going to heat up on its own just fine. Anyone ever laid their hand on a differential cover after driving it about 10 miles. Modern technology!

Exactly. Some a$$hat engineer trying to justify his salary. "But boss, look at this, across the entire RAM fleet, we could save 3 gallons of gas over a year. Hurry, send this to Bob over at the EPA so he can koochy Koo us for saving the planet." *THROATPUNCH*

 

[Wild one]

I know I only get about 7 MPG until my differential heats up, thinning the fluid, then I immediately jump up to 32mpg. As a matter of fact, I get on my back and preheat my diffs with a torch so that I get good MPG every trip.

HOT GARBAGE. What a joke. I hope some dumba$$ engineer gets fired for this, whipped with his beloved coolant line, and shoved into purgatory.

Tell us how you really feel Damn that was funny,best comment of the day

 

[GTyankee]

But, isn't only put on Eco-diesel Rams ?
Only found on Rams with 2 wheel drive.
Or did i read it wrong ?

 

[mikeru]

But, isn't only put on Eco-diesel Rams ?
Only found on Rams with 2 wheel drive.
Or did i read it wrong ?

Definitely don't have that on mine (2020 Limited 4x4 Hemi).