Radiator expansion tank dipstick burnt

[Docwagon1776]

There's a reason to believe that the dealer's service personnel did not do a good job of checking this vehicle out in light of the coolant system condition. That, by the way, could be a significant issue to resolve correctly.

But I'd be asking myself, what else did they not check thoroughly?

Dealer inspections are a joke.

I went to look at a Raptor that the salesman told me had just came out of their inspection bay. They always clinch a little when I slide under the truck.

"So they put this on a lift and checked everything under here?"
"Yes, Sir!"
I started throwing out huge chunks of turf that were stuck in the frame obscuring a bunch of the undercarriage. Chunks the size of a cabbage.

I then asked if he was sure they put it on a lift and how they checked anything when the entire frame was caked in mud and dried grass. It looked like they'd just taken it out a few days before and flogged it in a wet field. The grass was still partially alive.

Needless to say I just walked while he stammered.

The most egregious example, but I could give you a bunch more.

 

[Trashy2121]

The dipstick is stained, all vehicles do that. The hoses are collapsing from a plugged overflow hose/ thermostat pressure relief hole. If you got a good deal on the truck, have a cooling system flush done and replace both the thermostat and radiator cap.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

I mean I bought it from what I would consider a reputable dealership who supposedly had there mechanics check it out before selling it to me. What’s the standard procedure when buying a used car from a dealership like this one when they say they check it out?

Laugh and tell them you want an independent shop to evaluate it.
Dealers will tell you anything to get you to buy from them.

 

[MrBonez]

Well, are you aware of a dealership that has service personnel do the primary inspection when a potential trade comes in, or at auction or dealer trades?

In my experience it is almost always a sales person that evaluates a customer vehicle for potential trade-in. They usually are more concerned about appearance and visually detectable items like tires, or things like brake and steering functionality on a test drive. I've rarely seen those types pop a hood. The motive is to entice a sale of a new unit by accepting the condition of the trade.

And when they do realize that the vehicle will need more in repairs or conditioning, they pass the burden onto service which has no fight in the game.

The best inspector is a knowledgeable and skeptical customer at time of purchase.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 133455 miles.

This is true and since I used to be in a service department of a Ford dealer once, many moons ago I know how that works.

The guys in the shop are stuck with fixing it like the bosses want it and they want it to look brand new, sound brand new and all else.... Or at least mask all the things wrong with it.
A salesman's only goal is to get the customer's signature on the dotted line - All the rest ain't his problem.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Took the radiator cap off and full of gunk.

OMG. Dump that POS! NOW!!

 

[SpaceRanger1]

Question.. Coolant to be exact. I wanted to have some around for top off's at home. Bought the Dodge coolant at Walmart.
Went add some and saw that the new coolant is Purple?? I didnt add any til I find out info on it. The original is Orange. Any incite??

 

[Dean2]

Question.. Coolant to be exact. I wanted to have some around for top off's at home. Bought the Dodge coolant at Walmart.
Went add some and saw that the new coolant is Purple?? I didnt add any til I find out info on it. The original is Orange. Any incite??

Take that one back and go buy some Mopar Concentrate and quit messing around with stuff that may or may not mix together. I have added less than a pint in 5 years to the Jeep and Ram hemis combined. I think I can afford the real stuff.

 

[Lance1985]

My story of “sand” in the coolant reservoir. 2019 RAM 1500 purchased new now 48,000 miles. Always serviced at the original or when traveling, another RAM dealer.

Just out of curiosity I pulled the dipstick from the Coolant Reservoir and found the stick stained and with 2” of dark brown wet sand(?) at the end. Took it into the dealer and they suggested flush system with Valvolene Super Cleaner, remove contaminated fluid and refill the system with fresh coolant and conditioner. Cost $190. Maintenance should be 100K miles not 48K but ok, if it needs it, I do it.

Time passes, busy life, two months later I check the dipstick in the Coolant Reservoir and the dipstick looks exactly the same as prior to the above service. (I have photos).

Back to the dealer. This time the radiator cap is defective only hold 5 lbs pressure, should be around 11 or so.

Diagnosis: “Coolant bottle has built up residue in it. Radiator cap failed. pressure test. No sign of build up in the cooling system. (of course not. The coolant was replaced two months ago.)

Plan: Replace Coolant Reservoir

Replace radiator cap

Fill coolant reservoir

Total Cost: $676

My question is 1. Why is there casting sand in the coolant system?

2. Why was the sand in the reservoir and defective radiator

not noted at the initial visit two months ago?

 

[mikeru]

Take that one back and go buy some Mopar Concentrate and quit messing around with stuff that may or may not mix together. I have added less than a pint in 5 years to the Jeep and Ram hemis combined. I think I can afford the real stuff.

The main difference between the orange (Dex-cool) and Mopar coolant is the color of the dye they use. They are both OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolants, and because of this they are compatible with each other. But because of the different colors the resulting color of the coolant will look like crap. It's okay to mix OAT coolant with other brands of OAT coolant. Just like it's okay to mix HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) with other brands of HOAT coolant. Just don't mix OAT with HOAT (or the older green (IAT) coolants or you will have problems. And don't just go by color. Make sure you know which type of coolant you have and which type you plan to add.

 

[Wild one]

My story of “sand” in the coolant reservoir. 2019 RAM 1500 purchased new now 48,000 miles. Always serviced at the original or when traveling, another RAM dealer.

Just out of curiosity I pulled the dipstick from the Coolant Reservoir and found the stick stained and with 2” of dark brown wet sand(?) at the end. Took it into the dealer and they suggested flush system with Valvolene Super Cleaner, remove contaminated fluid and refill the system with fresh coolant and conditioner. Cost $190. Maintenance should be 100K miles not 48K but ok, if it needs it, I do it.

Time passes, busy life, two months later I check the dipstick in the Coolant Reservoir and the dipstick looks exactly the same as prior to the above service. (I have photos).

Back to the dealer. This time the radiator cap is defective only hold 5 lbs pressure, should be around 11 or so.

Diagnosis: “Coolant bottle has built up residue in it. Radiator cap failed. pressure test. No sign of build up in the cooling system. (of course not. The coolant was replaced two months ago.)

Plan: Replace Coolant Reservoir

Replace radiator cap

Fill coolant reservoir

Total Cost: $676

My question is 1. Why is there casting sand in the coolant system?

2. Why was the sand in the reservoir and defective radiator

not noted at the initial visit two months ago?

Do a search on here,there's quite a few threads on the issue,especially if you search the heavy duty section. Consenus is to do a complete cooling system flush,and stay on top of keeping the system clean afterwards using something like RMI

 

[mastaP]

Update:

The truck was picked up. Taking a while to get my money back but ended up getting a 2019 tradesman that I love and runs great. Had my own mechanic look at it before I bought it.

 

[aszumilo]

Update:

The truck was picked up. Taking a while to get my money back but ended up getting a 2019 tradesman that I love and runs great. Had my own mechanic look at it before I bought it.

Hope you didn't buy it from the same dealer