Coolant Smell + Hood Insulation Spots on 2022 RAM 1500 5.7 — Anyone Seen This?

[Ramanski]

Hey all,

Looking to tap into the RAM brain trust here.

I’ve got a 2022 DT RAM 1500 Laramie, 5.7 HEMI, about 30,000 km, truck originally came up from up north. I’ve been chasing a very faint coolant smell for a while now.

Quick background:

• Radiator was replaced under warranty
• Cooling system pressure-tested
• No visible leaks
• No coolant loss
• No overheating
• Smell is much fainter now, but still noticeable occasionally

Here’s where it gets interesting:

When I popped the hood recently, I noticed spots/stains on the hood insulation, mainly toward the front of the engine bay. They’re dry now, but clearly there.

So I’m wondering:

• Could this just be road grime / salt / slush spray from winter driving up north that wicked its way up and stained the insulation?
• Or could it be residual coolant mist from the original radiator issue that stained the liner and is now just holding the smell?
• Anyone seen water pump weep hole residue show up like this?
• I highly doubt head gasket (no symptoms at all), but figured I’d mention it for completeness.

There are no active leaks that I can see, but the insulation definitely seems to hold odor, especially after heat cycles.

Before I go chasing ghosts or replacing parts unnecessarily:


Has anyone else seen hood liner staining + faint coolant smell on DT Rams?


Did it turn out to be nothing, or something worth addressing?


Appreciate any real-world experience, pics, or things I should double-check.


Thanks

 

[Burla]

Since you mentioned it to rule out head gasket try the exhaust gas test. Look up combustion leak detector kit, rule that out then this is just an annoyance rather then a worry. Put a dye and see if you can find where you losing it.

 

[Ramanski]

This truck is under warranty. If I take your recommendations to the local
Ram dealership, I pray how it it will go. Wink!

 

[mtofell]

Faint coolant smell is a VERY common issue with the 4th gen. 6.4 Hemis. Not sure if it also affects the 5.7s of your era. It's generally not a problem and most just live with it. If you aren't losing any fluid and are under warranty I'd be inclined to just run with it and see if anything more obvious comes up.

 

[Rlaf75]

I have a 21 BTS with a non e-torque 5.7 and I get a faint smell randomly. The truck only has 37k miles on it. I flushed the coolant system and found no leaks anywhere. I think its just the way these things vent. Like I said, I occasionally get the smell after I shut the truck off but its so random that I'm not too concerned about it. If it was me, I would remove the hood liner as its only clipped on and see if you still get the smell. If the smell is still there then I'd contact the dealer that replaced the radiator and let them know youre smelling it and have them diagnose it