HVAC issues

[justanut]

2021 Ram 1500
Scheduled to go in to my local mechanic for intermittent antifreeze smell. Also noticed the other day while trying to defrost that the passenger side was hot while the driver was lukewarm at best. Any recommendations? Also truck has under 37k. Would it be worth pursuing at a dealer as it’s only a few months and less than a thousand miles out of warranty? Thanks for any info

 

[jr27236]

So the antifreeze smell is all to common to these trucks. And has been discussed many times. Its just the venting or something of the radiator. My wifes 5.7 durango gets me every time I walk by it when its hot. Your mechanic is gonna chase his tale and throw unnecessary parts at it for NO reason. As for the heat issue that is going to be most likely a BLEND DOOR issue and that also has been discussed. Do a search I dont know what the actual fix is but im sure you will find the issue/fix on here. If i find it i will post back for you. i think I would try the dealer for warranty coverage, they can also do a "good will" repair I believe its called because you are so close out of warranty.

 

[nlambert182]

Hang on..... the HVAC issue could be a blend door issue (but less common on newer trucks) OR it could be a clogged heater core issue (the most common). If it's a heater core issue the permanent fix is typically a replacement. A flush may clear it up but it's a gamble. Doesn't hurt to try it though. The hot passenger/cold driverside is the dead giveaway.

 

[justanut]

Thanks for the info. Most blend door searches turned up older models. Will look into the heater core. I didn’t mention the smell is on the inside while driving. Anyone have luck with getting out of warranty issues paid for with the low miles. I trust my mechanic. Been with them for years. They don’t charge me if the problem isn’t fixed. Not even time spent looking into it

 

[nlambert182]

The smell is pretty common on them all honestly. Unless you have a leaking core, which, if the smell were on the inside I'd think you'd see signs.

@RamCares may be able to assist.

 

[RamCares]

2021 Ram 1500
Scheduled to go in to my local mechanic for intermittent antifreeze smell. Also noticed the other day while trying to defrost that the passenger side was hot while the driver was lukewarm at best. Any recommendations? Also truck has under 37k. Would it be worth pursuing at a dealer as it’s only a few months and less than a thousand miles out of warranty? Thanks for any info

Hi @justanut,

Please private message us with any updates from your dealer appointment and details of your concerns. We'd like to look into this. Thank you.

Gia
Ram Cares

 

[RamCares]

The smell is pretty common on them all honestly. Unless you have a leaking core, which, if the smell were on the inside I'd think you'd see signs.

@RamCares may be able to assist.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, @nlambert182. If you ever have any questions for us, feel free to private message us.

Gia
Ram Cares

 

[bigdodge]

Coolant smell inside isn't good. You could likely have a leak in the heater box that the better core is in.

 

[jr27236]

Thanks for the info. Most blend door searches turned up older models. Will look into the heater core. I didn’t mention the smell is on the inside while driving. Anyone have luck with getting out of warranty issues paid for with the low miles. I trust my mechanic. Been with them for years. They don’t charge me if the problem isn’t fixed. Not even time spent looking into it

So smelling antifreeze in the interior is not what I was describing then. I would check under the dash and feel the top and under the carpet there and see if it is wet at all. Between that smell and the fact of the heating issue then id agree that its possible your heater core is restricted in some fashion. I know the older jeeps had clog cores by manufacturing process not cleaning out all the casting material. Having your mechanic pull the hoses off and flushing it firectly out is a simple process for them to try.

 

[ibike]

The only heater core I’ve had go bad turned the cab into a sauna and fogged the windows. It was a large leak. Maybe a small leak doesn’t get that bad , just a smell

 

[nlambert182]

That's not typically the case on these trucks unfortunately. They tend to clog up more than any other issue.

 

[justanut]

Sorry so long to post but was waiting for everything to clear up. So it was a leaking heater core. Two local independents wouldn’t do the work due to complexity. So the dealer was my only option. Had to wait a few days for part as they weren’t readily available. I think these cores are going to be an ongoing problem. Ram kicked in about 25% of the repair which was less than I hoped considering the mileage of the truck and a part that should last for considerably longer than it did. I was out of warranty so maybe I should be happy that they offered anything at all. Just leaves a bad taste.

 

[bigdodge]

Now go get one of these and start flushing it once a year and you'll never have to worry about it again.

https://a.co/d/2pblrZY