Coolant leak...

[512RAM]

Two days ago I noticed the smell of antifreeze. I just figured it was coming from a car parked next to me.

Today I drive my truck and smelled it again while driving. After parking, I noticed a little coolant puddle underneath the front driver side on the ground.

My temps aren't rising past normal at all. About 199-203 cycling normal.
I popped the his and saw this...

The upper radiator hose connection feels dry.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

 

[star_deceiver]

If you’re lucky, coolant is just bypassing the rad hose clamp. Replace the clamp and hose.

If you’re unlucky, the rad housing is cracked. Replace the radiator and all the other hoses.

 

[512RAM]

I appreciate the quick response. I'll check it out after I get home later today.

 

[EdGs]

Yours is about the 5th or 6th one (including mine) I know of that leaked like that.

Might be radiator time.

If you have a pressure tester, top off the coolant and pump it up to 15 psi.

Here was mine:

If it is the radiator leaking, don't chance it.

Mine decided to fail the night before an 800 mile trip, was filling up and had to get towed 12 miles home.

Imaging the bill if we were out in the middle of BFE.

Good luck.

 

[EdGs]

@512RAM, what did it end up being?

 

[RamCares]

Hello, @512RAM! Just a heads up that we're here to troubleshoot as well. Feel free to send a private message our way any time.

Hannah
Ram Cares

 

[2farnorth]

18 Ram Tradesman 1500 3.6, 8 spd, 200890 miles. Mine just developed that same leak. Adjacent to the drivers side radiator mount. I was blaming it on a couple recent pot holes that jarred the truck bad. Now have the radiator out waiting for the replacement to arrive. Two bolts on the passenger side were very difficult (without electric tools) but I did it without having to open up the ac system or open the trans cooler lines. To my surprise the trans cooler is part of the ac condenser.
It is a challenge to fiqure out the interlocks for the AC condenser and the radiator to get them apart.
Recommend having some extra splash shield pins available. Some will break even with a trim tool.

History: 130k left front spindle
135k oil cooler leak/ upgrade
170k right front spindle
200k radiator

All original brakes lasted 150k.

In my opinion this has been an excellent truck

 

[mtofell]

Mine was leaking at the lower driver's side corner and the drain valve is right there and tightening it stopped the leak for a couple weeks but then it started dripping again. I'm afraid to put much more strength on the valve for fear of breaking it so I'm going to take it to the dealer (warranty). I initially didn't realize I can reach the valve from the top and took out the wheel well liner but if you want to give it a try you can probably get to it. I definitely don't see a way to get to it from underneath.

 

[EdGs]

If you pop out the grille, and the reservoir, it's much easier to get to the bolts to separate the condenser from the radiator. I had to remove and/or loosen a couple of the brackets as well.

 

[2farnorth]

Another surprise is the overflow reservoir is black and there's no way to see how much is in it. Would have to pull off the overflow hose to determine if the coolant was adequate! Also there is no coolant bleeder any where on it!

 

[grizzstang]

In the tradition of building everything to fail, it is your rad design. Aluminum with plastic tanks.

They fail and leak were the plastic tanks meet the aluminium.

They can't be fixed either like the old copper rads they require full replacement.

There are a lot of inferior aftermarket ones too that are cheaper but won't last.

Sad as it is your best bet is probably an OEM one that will only last slightly longer.

 

[EdGs]

Another surprise is the overflow reservoir is black and there's no way to see how much is in it. Would have to pull off the overflow hose to determine if the coolant was adequate! Also there is no coolant bleeder any where on it!

There should be a dipstick in the reservoir.

 

[2farnorth]

I found the dipstick. It is very hard for my eyes to read though. I had to remove a significant amount of coolant.

 

[Govtman]

Yours is about the 5th or 6th one (including mine) I know of that leaked like that.

Might be radiator time.

If you have a pressure tester, top off the coolant and pump it up to 15 psi.

Here was mine:
View attachment 575232
If it is the radiator leaking, don't chance it.

Mine decided to fail the night before an 800 mile trip, was filling up and had to get towed 12 miles home.

Imaging the bill if we were out in the middle of BFE.

Good luck.

Add my '19 1500 5.7 to that list.

Anyone have recommendations for an all aluminum preferably or after market brands.

 

[EdGs]

Add my '19 1500 5.7 to that list.

Anyone have recommendations for an all aluminum preferably or after market brands.

This is the one I got for my '15. It was $100 additional to ship, so allow for that. It was still a fair bit cheaper than in my local area.

Check fitment for yours. If a Classic, should be no issues.

Was a perfect fit.

Recommend you remove the grill, loosen the AGS, and remove the reservoir. Makes unbolting the condenser alot easier.

Others have used an all aluminum one, but had to mod a bit to fit. Not sure what brand/model.

Good luck.