Coolant leak

[Bkfiremedic]

2018 Ram 1500 5.7- I was driving today and started smelling coolant. I got home and saw a leak underneath. Coming from the driver side rear of the motor. I climbed underneath and it was dripping near the starter. I pulled the starters heat shield and saw it dripping here No coolant around the thermostat housing, water pump and the top of the engine is dry. Pulled the oil dipstick and just oil, no coolant. I feel like I may have a head gasket leak. Anyone had this happen?

 

[rzr6-4]

May get lucky with a heater core/hose but otherwise a head would be my next concern.

 

[Bkfiremedic]

May get lucky with a heater core/hose but otherwise a head would be my next concern.

Well since the heater core and hoses are on the other side of the engine compartment and everything is dry there I’m assuming the worst.

 

[EdGs]

Trans heat exchanger on driver side, but farther back.

 

[Ken226]

Well since the heater core and hoses are on the other side of the engine compartment and everything is dry there I’m assuming the worst.

Bummer. That sure looks like it's coming from the head gasket. I hate to tell you you're right, but it certainly looks like it.


How many miles on your truck? Ever overheated it, or possibly a previous owner did? Does the water pump and/or radiator look newer than the rest of the engine well parts.

If high mileage, might be a good opportunity to do a preemptive cam/lifter replace and MDS delete. You'll be in the fortunate position of knowing in advance that you won't have metal in the VVT solenoid.

 

[Bkfiremedic]

Bummer. That sure looks like it's coming from the head gasket. I hate to tell you you're right, but it certainly looks like it.


How many miles on your truck? Ever overheated it, or possibly a previous owner did? Does the water pump and/or radiator look newer than the rest of the engine well parts.

If high mileage, might be a good opportunity to do a preemptive cam/lifter replace and MDS delete. You'll be in the fortunate position of knowing in advance that you won't have metal in the VVT solenoid.

125k I’ve owned it since new, has never overheated and none of those parts have been replaced. In fact the only issue I’ve had before this is exhaust manifold bolts, which is getting fixed soon.

 

[Burla]

Do the exhaust gas test, in theory you could drop a can of this in either way, it is enert if it doesn't find a hole. just flush it out later, it is a serious option for people maybe not having the starch to do head gasket. Not saying I'd do that, I'd do gas test immediately and not drive, then if it is HG I would use this stuff, put it off till I could do a tear down.. You can also do compression test. long term test below...

Do Head Gasket Sealers Actually Work (FULL 2yr TEST with Engine Teardown)

Replacing a blown Head Gasket can be difficult and expensive. Sometimes your car is not worth fixing and this is where a head gasket sealer in a bottle comes...

youtu.be

 

[Burla]

The most interesting thing the test car didn't have a damaged gasket, just a warped head. Living in cold regions with different temps drops it's just a thing, it happens if it is it, which a simple test will show.

 

[EdGs]

125k I’ve owned it since new, has never overheated and none of those parts have been replaced. In fact the only issue I’ve had before this is exhaust manifold bolts, which is getting fixed soon.

So, you have broken exhaust manifold bolts that have not been fixed yet???

Only reason I ask is because it has happened where an attempt is made to drill out the broken bolt, and the water jacket on the head gets compromised in the process.

 

[Bkfiremedic]

So, you have broken exhaust manifold bolts that have not been fixed yet???

Only reason I ask is because it has happened where an attempt is made to drill out the broken bolt, and the water jacket on the head gets compromised in the process.

There has been no attempt at repair yet.

 

[kdkretzer]

I have this exact same leak that just came up during the Late January cold snap we had. My bet is that you when looking from above you can see coolant puddled in the bracket that sits right above the starter. Been losing about 1 gallon of coolant a week if i don't keep it under check. The leak was very apparent if it's cold (leaving puddles in the driveway) and not so much when warm, in fact at most times there is no evidence of leakage at all but if I pull the radiator cap it will vent enough to start leaking. No coolant observed in oil and no exhaust gases in the coolant. going to be doing a pressure test this week so that i'm 100% sure then planning on pulling heads off. I've found several instances online of 4th gen trucks having head gasket issues at relatively low miles, even as low as 45,000 (ish). For those that have had issues i wonder how many have started during the winter months when its colder.