Cooling system problem 2017 Ram 1500

[2017azlaramie]

I have a cooling issue with my 2017 Ram 1500.

But a little back story first:
On February 2025 I put a new chinese (amazon) radiator due to cracked end tank in the factory unit. The truck ran/cooled great after that.
October 2025. My wife is driving the truck through a costco parking lot looking for a parking spot. Then something pops under the hood. It dumps water all over and the dash lights up with warning lights about low coolant. I drive down to take a look and find the lower rad hose just hanging. I put the hose back on and poured in 3/4 of a case of bottled water. At the time the truck seemed to be leaking water at the bottom of the radiator in addition to what the hose blow off caused. So to be safe we had it towed home. A week later I suffered a stroke and lost my job as well. So I just parked the truck.
May 2026
So after 8 months I've regained some mobility and want to figure this trucks issue/issues. I've topped off the water. Checked the oil (just in case it's a head gasket?). There was no milkshake. I started it and let run . I added 2 bottles of water (from the case used in Oct 2025. There were no leaks from the radiator like I thought back in Oct 2025. The only thing I didn't do was run the truck long enough for the thermostat to open. The truck actually ran well & sounded great.
June 2026
So this leaves me today the 3rd. Do I run it long enough for the thermostat to open & see what happens? I can't drive it (liability insurance is hold while it sits).

Any thoughts or suggestions? I can't afford to take to someone. But at the same time I hate having a 3 ton bird toilet.

Thanks

 

[RamInfo]

My $0.02: It’s quite likely the hose popped of simply because it wasn’t installed or tightened properly when the radiator was replaced. If it were my truck it’d drain the cooling system, recheck the fit/installation/clamping of that lower hose, or maybe even replace the hose just to be safe, then buy a gallon of the correct Mopar coolant CONCENTRATE and put in a 50/50 mix of coolant and DISTILLED water. And I’d suction out the overflow tank and fill it with fresh coolant mix, too.

Bottled water (“spring water” and the like) isn’t pure enough for normal use in the cooling system—contains minerals and such.

Your oil level hadn’t changed when the coolant dumped and you didn’t find the oil turned into milkshake, so after doing the above I’d drive and check for temp level, is temp level going up/down to indicate thermostat working, and keep checking for milkshake in the oil.

Good luck,
RI

 

[Burla]

rmi-25 for sure.