Coolant low

[blu3s94]

Hello, I decided to check all my fluids today. Noticed the coolant reservoir dip stick was not showing any fluid. This was on level ground with a cool engine. So I started it, let it get to operating temp and its barely touching the bottom of the stick, which is the minimum mark. I have a 2015 ram 1500, 5.7, 4x4. Looked for leaks briefly but didn't see anything.

I realize I need the OAT 10/150,000 Mile coolant which can only be obtained from dealer? [emoji879] I'll pick some up tomorrow. Is there anywhere in particular I should be looking for leaks? I have owned this truck since new. Now have 50k miles, I have checked all the fluids a few times and never was the reservoir showing completely empty which leads me to believe there's a leak?

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[Burla]

I'd do a flush, check the color. If there is a leak and the coolant is burning off, likely toasting the coolant. How about radiator cap, can you take some out and check the fluid? If you aren't in cold state you can just dump a qrt distilled water in there.

Check h395's dyi thread coolant flush. You can just do a quick flush radiator.

 

[crazykid1994]

Mine factory has been like that. I just added distilled water halfway up the tank

 

[huntergreen]

Mine came from the factory at that level. Asked the service guy and brought a jug of antifreeze out and added. No charge.

 

[Burla]

Here's the thing, he's at 50k miles. So this is what I am thinking, start now do a series of quick flushes, like once every 50k miles, and you may never have to worry about it. Actually this was a guy's strategy at bob's and I kind of liked it. The only downside is quick flushes with the hemi, as in just the radiator and over flow, are less then 50% of the capacity of the system. The system is 4 gallons, at best you get a gallon and 3/4's do a quick flush.

If you just get at the heater core then you have a 1/2 flush, and you can leave those bottom block drains alone. They are no fun at all the bottom two block drains. The top block bolt behind the t stat is a must to remove for any flush, unless you want to drain hot. But I am proposing that it is a good idea to start quick flushing right at 50k even though it isn't necessary, stay on top of it like every 40-50k miles or 4 years, and you likely wont have any coolant issues. The quick flushes are so easy I wished I'd done them earlier, but if you wait til the end of the coolant life, then quick flushes likely wont be enough to have good protection.

 

[tidefan1967]

I have owned three Mopars over the last 5 years and I have had to add a little bit of coolant to all of them over the first few thousand miles. I don't know whether they were left a little low by accident or used a little during the break in process but I never had to add any extra after that first time so I would just top it off and keep an eye on it(or you could be proactive and ease into the change out process like Burla suggested)if it were me. If I were going to completely change it I wouldn't use the factory stuff that's for damn sure. Zerex g05 is what most people use.

 

[blu3s94]

Update: It took almost a full quart to get it to the max line on a hot engine. So not a lot at all. For some reason I thought it was lower than that lol. Should he fine. Probably just a little evaporation I'm guessing. Ill keep an eye on it anyways. Thanks

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[indept]

Why go through a flush? That won't stop a leak. If it low then it's going somewhere. If there's no visible leak then I would check the cap 1st. If not that then have a pressure test done.

 

[Burla]

The reason I like the factory stuff is you can see the color, I know the g-05 is a different color. I know when I get close to factory color the coolant is good. I guess it is what 8 bucks more a gallon?

Update: It took almost a full quart to get it to the max line on a hot engine. So not a lot at all. For some reason I thought it was lower than that lol. Should he fine. Probably just a little evaporation I'm guessing. Ill keep an eye on it anyways. Thanks

It's a closed pressurized system, there shouldn't be any evap. In 9 years I had no evap. It's either the dealer boofed it, good for you, or there is a leak issue. just monitor it for a while, GL Burla

 

[Ramnewbie]

I have owned three Mopars over the last 5 years and I have had to add a little bit of coolant to all of them over the first few thousand miles. I don't know whether they were left a little low by accident or used a little during the break in process but I never had to add any extra after that first time so I would just top it off and keep an eye on it(or you could be proactive and ease into the change out process like Burla suggested)if it were me. If I were going to completely change it I wouldn't use the factory stuff that's for damn sure. Zerex g05 is what most people use.

Zerex go5 is a hoat antifreeze. Need to make sure if you need hoat or oat, they don't play well together. I believe the newer models are using oat but don't know when they switched. I know there was a big discussion about that awhile ago.

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[Burla]

Zerex g05 is what most people use.

Like newbie said, I think 2014 they went from HOAT to OAT, you can only use g-05 2013 rams and down.

 

[Burla]

Maybe the 2013's have the new oat as well, dunno for sure.

 

[Cardhu]

2014 confirmed oat.

I checked my fluid when i bought it used in 2016. was low on the expansion tank took a Liter. Hasn't dropped since.

I guess 1 less L per vehicle saves them 10 bucks out the door.