Radiator expansion tank dipstick burnt

[MrBonez]

Make them take it back and don't look back when you do - No telling what else is lurking in that one like a transmission with not alot of life left or other, numerous things that could be there waiting to hit you again.

Poor maintenance will add up to problems in the long run.
Looks like whoever had it unloaded it before it puked, the dealer knew/found out about it and did the same in turn before they had to eat it for keeps.....
Which in this case they need to.

I woudn't keep that one and they will probrably try to sweet talk you into keeping it, wanting to honoring the warranty by getting it fixed which will still have you owning it in the end.

Make them take it back instead and get another one and with this example I'd not get the next one from them either.

It had a check engine light code P1D73 when it arrived.

Also - Since it wasn't you that put 250 miles on it, that part of it's warranty shouldn't matter since you initially received it with an issue(s) with them doing the driving/delivering in the process.
It was in their hands until it hit your driveway.

 

[mastaP]

All bad advise.

The correct answer is give the truck back to the dealer.

The coolant issue is an indication of bad maintenance over the life of the truck. I have no doubt the OP will find many more issues if they keep it.

No one here knows why there isn't coolant in the system.

The is at the 100K maintenance level and will take time and money to do.

The OP should return the truck; and have any used car they buy inspected by a mechanic before buying.

I appreciate all the advice. My plan is to take it to a shop I trust near me and see what they recommend. Return, if possible, or warranty work.

 

[Dean2]

If you aren't going to take the EXCELLENT advice to return this pickup while you can, all I have to say is very best of luck. Pretty sure you are going to need it. You will quickly find out how reputable this dealer was if you try to return it under the 30 day guarantee deal.

 

[mikeru]

I’ll see if they’ll even let me return it. It took them over 5 days and just over 250 miles to get it for me after I signed the paperwork. I will be surprised if they still allow me to return it.

Just to clarify, you signed the paperwork before they delivered it or after it arrived? That is important because in most states you are responsible for any mileage accumulated after signing the paperwork. Until you sign, it doesn't matter how many miles they drive to deliver it to you. Just a word of advice for the future, never buy a used vehicle sight unseen. And if for some reason you decide to to that anyway, never sign for it until after it's delivered.

 

[mastaP]

If you aren't going to take the EXCELLENT advice to return this pickup while you can, all I have to say is very best of luck. Pretty sure you are going to need it. You will quickly find out how reputable this dealer was if you try to return it under the 30 day guarantee deal.

Well it is a 5-day money back guarantee. It’s been a couple weeks since I signed for it, but I’ve only had it since Tuesday. I’m thinking they’re not gonna let me return it but I will call and ask.

 

[mastaP]

Just to clarify, you signed the paperwork before they delivered it or after it arrived? That is important because in most states you are responsible for any mileage accumulated after signing the paperwork. Until you sign, it doesn't matter how many miles they drive to deliver it to you. Just a word of advice for the future, never buy a used vehicle sight unseen. And if for some reason you decide to to that anyway, never sign for it until after it's delivered.

I signed for it before they delivered it. I drove to Dallas, 4 hours away, under the impression it was ready to take home. When I got there, the salesman I was working with said he didn’t know it needed some work still. It had a light for the egr valve and a couple scratches they were going to fix. I was trading in my old truck and they were giving me a great deal on, and the new truck had everything I wanted in my price range. Otherwise I wouldn’t have driven that far to get it.

 

[Wild one]

I signed for it before they delivered it. I drove to Dallas, 4 hours away, under the impression it was ready to take home. When I got there, the salesman I was working with said he didn’t know it needed some work still. It had a light for the egr valve and a couple scratches they were going to fix. I was trading in my old truck and they were giving me a great deal on, and the new truck had everything I wanted in my price range. Otherwise I wouldn’t have driven that far to get it.

You need to do more research,especially when a salesman tells you it needs work on the EGR system.Ram 5.7 1500's haven't had EGR since 08,and if you'd done your reseach,you would of known that,and you should have walked away.
They fed you a line,to keep you sucked into buying it.
Get rid of it,before you can't,don't even try to fix it,as that'll give the dealer an out for not returning your money.
Next time take it to a local private shop and pay their inspection fee and have them go over it with a fine toothed comb.
If you have to,put your nasty boots on with that dealership,but if they're a reputable dealer,you shouldn't have to,or have any issues with getting your money back.The longer you wait,the harder it will be to get your money back.
Quit being a chicken $h!t,get on the phone now and start the process of getting out from under that truck

 

[mastaP]

Took the radiator cap off and full of gunk.

 

[MrBonez]

That gunk looks like gasket/block seal stuff.

A true sign something isn't right with it in my humble opinion.

 

[Wild one]

Took the radiator cap off and full of gunk.

You bought a nightmare.Looking at that,the whole cooling system will need work,from rad to heater core,and maybe even headgaskets.

 

[Burla]

So I didn’t check the coolant in the radiator because they literally just dropped it off and all I did was run it down the street to check the engine light. There was still fluid in the expansion tank though. While I was driving it and at idle, the temperature never got high. I did notice that the heater only works on the passenger, not the drivers side. I assumed that was a blend door issue, but I’m guessing now it could be related.

It could be worse, just a heater out on a Cummins can means over 20k fix and that doesn't even include anything internal. So I am a little curious why they did the egr, on the Cummins heater core issues the egr "cooler" is the culprit and the lack of heat is the canary in the cold mine. Now, with a hemi it is way less of an issue. You can try a heater core only flush, if possible hot water, but that can get casting sand out best you can. Again, I haven't heard anything fatal or more then annoying at this point, until you prove otherwise it is very possible this will all work out rosey. Even if there is a leaking head gasket, it is on coolant side and it very fixable with a product if you don't have any warranty. Do you have any warranty for used vehicles? Most have 30 days?

 

[Burla]

Took the radiator cap off and full of gunk.

Could just be casting sand, I'd drip a little out of petcock, just check fluid condition. If you don't know how to use the petcock, just loosen the bottom rad hose and fill a clear glass with coolant, post a pic.

A lot of guys don't use the petcock, break it and you need a radiator.

 

[jws123]

Makes me wonder if somebody added the wrong coolant to it,as OAT does have a rep of gelling if it's mixed with the wrong coolant.

I would go with this tbh it looks stained not burnt or anything.

 

[jws123]

So I didn’t check the coolant in the radiator because they literally just dropped it off and all I did was run it down the street to check the engine light. There was still fluid in the expansion tank though. While I was driving it and at idle, the temperature never got high. I did notice that the heater only works on the passenger, not the drivers side. I assumed that was a blend door issue, but I’m guessing now it could be related.

Its not a blend door issue its a clogged heater core 99% of the time when that happens coolant could of also been low.

 

[mastaP]

I talked to the dealership about the 5-day money back guarantee, but the used car sales rep was on vacation today… They said he would call me tomorrow about it. The plan is to push the return if possible. If not, it has a 90-day 4,000 mile warranty that should cover it and just hope it all gets taken care of and it never got hot enough to prematurely wear down anything else.

 

[mastaP]

It could be worse, just a heater out on a Cummins can means over 20k fix and that doesn't even include anything internal. So I am a little curious why they did the egr, on the Cummins heater core issues the egr "cooler" is the culprit and the lack of heat is the canary in the cold mine. Now, with a hemi it is way less of an issue. You can try a heater core only flush, if possible hot water, but that can get casting sand out best you can. Again, I haven't heard anything fatal or more then annoying at this point, until you prove otherwise it is very possible this will all work out rosey. Even if there is a leaking head gasket, it is on coolant side and it very fixable with a product if you don't have any warranty. Do you have any warranty for used vehicles? Most have 30 days?

Thanks for the insight. It does have a 90-day warranty.

 

[Docwagon1776]

The coolant on the air filter box means you've got a leak down a bit lower and the fan/air flow is throwing it up on the air filter box. Maybe where the plastic meets the metal, it splits there sometimes, sometimes where a transmission coolant line hooks in and the **** leaks, etc. Then low coolant is probably what is collapsing the hoses as it cools off.

I'd be curious as to what sort of coolant is in there and if somebody has been running it with a leak and topping it off with the wrong kind causing all that gunk. I'd also be curious if it's been overheated multiple times.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I talked to the dealership about the 5-day money back guarantee, but the used car sales rep was on vacation today… They said he would call me tomorrow about it. The plan is to push the return if possible. If not, it has a 90-day 4,000 mile warranty that should cover it and just hope it all gets taken care of and it never got hot enough to prematurely wear down anything else.

Bet you your sales guy will be back on day number six.

 

[KansasArt]

Could just be casting sand, I'd drip a little out of petcock, just check fluid condition. If you don't know how to use the petcock, just loosen the bottom rad hose and fill a clear glass with coolant, post a pic.

A lot of guys don't use the petcock, break it and you need a radiator.

I broke my petcock over a year ago. It just turns without getting tight or backing out. Hasn’t leaked a drop. I was ready to order a new one but so far so good.

 

[aszumilo]

I talked to the dealership about the 5-day money back guarantee, but the used car sales rep was on vacation today… They said he would call me tomorrow about it. The plan is to push the return if possible. If not, it has a 90-day 4,000 mile warranty that should cover it and just hope it all gets taken care of and it never got hot enough to prematurely wear down anything else.

So what if the Sales Rep is off. Talk to the Manager or push it higher up. They must have someone else at the dealer to handle issues when 1 person is off for a few days. That place sounds sketchy to me.