Need assistance from a distance, please.

[Mrblonde]

I will preface with im Not mechanically inclined and Im tired of feeling overcharged going to a dealership. I have 2019 ram 1500 5.7 bighorn with 56k miles on it. About a month ago I noticed an intermittent humming noise under the hood while parked and vehicle is idled. I noticed radiator fan was not circulating. Mind you this was after I had driven for about 20-30min.

Today I went to run errands drove on the highway for 45min, Got something to eat returned to the truck after an hour noticed a syrupy type smell, figured its gotta be radiator related. Driving home I started watching the temps and watched the coolant temp climbing from 219 to 226 degrees F when I was stopped at a red light. Once mobile it would drop back down to 219 degrees F.

Ive tried to twist off the radiator cap and that thing does not lift up after its been loosened. Not sure what that means or if I need to pry it a little but I stopped messing with it. I suspect That I need to add new fluids or do a flush and any advice I will gladly accept. Would like to do it myself but im not sure how much something like this should cost.

 

[GTyankee]

Unless you want to burn yourself
Do not even think about opening the radiator or associated parts, when the engine has been running.
Hot water is something that a person, should leave alone !

The normal operating temperature for a car engine is generally between 195°F and 220°F.
In ideal conditions, the engine temperature gauge needle should be in the middle of the gauge. However, the temperature can vary depending on the vehicle's conditions, such as whether the air conditioner or heater is running.

The Stock Thermostat opens around 180°F

IF, your Original Warranty, or the extended Warranty has expired.

Consider using a regular Repair Facility

Like Radiator & Air Conditioning Shops

 

[Mrblonde]

Of course I would never touch anything after driving it and not allowing it to cool off. Thanks for the info

 

[chopperman1]

Radiator caps are a safety type cap. The 1st position does not allow the cap to be removed, it is designed that way to prevent the cap from shooting straight up in the event of it being under pressure. You need to push it back down and continue turning to the next position, the release position.

That said, you don't remove the cap to check coolant level. You use the dipstick in the coolant reservoir to check it.

 

[Mrblonde]

Radiator caps are a safety type cap. The 1st position does not allow the cap to be removed, it is designed that way to prevent the cap from shooting straight up in the event of it being under pressure. You need to push it back down and continue turning to the next position, the release position.

That said, you don't remove the cap to check coolant level. You use the dipstick in the coolant reservoir to check it.

Got it. So to the left of the radiator is a reservoir. Ive been watching youtube videos and they have mentioned a coolant overflow tank. Is that what that is? And is that what needs to be checked for coolant levels? If its low what do you suggest?

 

[Curmudgeon]

Unless you want to burn yourself
Do not even think about opening the radiator or associated parts, when the engine has been running.
Hot water is something that a person, should leave alone !

The normal operating temperature for a car engine is generally between 195°F and 220°F.
In ideal conditions, the engine temperature gauge needle should be in the middle of the gauge. However, the temperature can vary depending on the vehicle's conditions, such as whether the air conditioner or heater is running.

The Stock Thermostat opens around 180°F

IF, your Original Warranty, or the extended Warranty has expired.

Consider using a regular Repair Facility

Like Radiator & Air Conditioning Shops

I thought I've been reading that the stock thermostat is 203F and folks have been replacing with a 180F when they wanted to bring down the coolant/engine temperature?

My daily-driver seems to "float" around 195-215F under almost all conditions.
2014, 5.7L, 1500, 8-speed, 3.21 rear, and factory thermostat, 112,000 miles.

 

[mrack]

That said, you don't remove the cap to check coolant level. You use the dipstick in the coolant reservoir to check it.

Radiator cap is how you actually check what’s in the system, the reservoir is just a reserve the system can pull from or deposit into as needed.

 

[Mrblonde]

Radiator cap is how you actually check what’s in the system, the reservoir is just a reserve the system can pull from or deposit into as needed.

 

[Mrblonde]

Does it matter what type of coolant is used with existing coolant? Im the second owner of this 2019 ram 1500 5.7L and noticed a red color coolant in the reservoir when doing my oil change. Ive been watching YouTube videos and people have said not to mix different coolants I dont know how accurate that is. Thank you guys for any info.

 

[mrack]

Absolutely don’t mix coolants. Your 2019 should use mopar OAT 10 year/150k mile.

 

[Mrblonde]

Absolutely don’t mix coolants. Your 2019 should use mopar OAT 10 year/150k mile.

Is that a specialty order or should oreilly or auto zone carry it. Thanks dude I appreciate you

 

[Mrblonde]

Absolutely don’t mix coolants. Your 2019 should use mopar OAT 10 year/150k mile.

The remaining coolant color is red. Does that mean its a different type?

 

[mrack]

Is that a specialty order or should oreilly or auto zone carry it. Thanks dude I appreciate you

You can find it at the dealer or it’s usually cheaper on Amazon. Color doesn’t mean much as mopar coolants commonly change colors throughout their lifetime.

 

[Curmudgeon]

This is what my Mopar coolant looks like. This coolant was not recently changed
but it has been changed since new. See pic...

 

[Mrblonde]

This is what my Mopar coolant looks like. This coolant was not recently changed
but it has been changed since new. See pic...

View attachment 554223

Thanks ya i dont see any fluid there on my truck.

 

[Mrblonde]

Is there anything else that can be used besides the mopar 10 year 150k?

 

[mrack]

Is there anything else that can be used besides the mopar 10 year 150k?

If you just need to top it off and can’t get your hands on mopar, you can use distilled water.

 

[Mrblonde]

If you just need to top it off and can’t get your hands on mopar, you can use distilled water.

Ya i think its pass that from my observation it looks dry

 

[Mrblonde]

Ya i think its pass that from my observation it looks dry

 

[Mrblonde]

If you just need to top it off and can’t get your hands on mopar, you can use distilled water.