Synthetic Oil

[Curmudgeon]

Failed radiator cap left pressure in his lines.

• Causes:
  • Faulty radiator cap: A faulty pressure relief valve in the radiator cap can't properly regulate pressure, leading to excessive build-up.
    
    
  • Low coolant level: When the coolant level is low, the system is more prone to air pockets and pressure build-up.
    
    
  • Blown head gasket: A damaged head gasket allows combustion gases to enter the coolant system, causing pressure to increase significantly.
    
    
  • Clogged hoses or radiator: Blockages in the coolant flow can also contribute to pressure issues.
• Symptoms:
  • Overheating: The engine temperature gauge may indicate excessive heat.
    
    
  • Coolant leaks: Visible coolant leaks under the vehicle
    
    
  • White smoke from exhaust: A sign of combustion gases entering the cooling system, often associated with a blown head gasket
    
    
  • Pressure buildup in the coolant reservoir: The coolant level may rise significantly in the overflow tank

LOL - I never knew that. My 2014 is now just over 113,000 miles and the cap is original. Thanks to your post I now know what to look for.

My serpentine and idler are original too. I guess I'm starting a list of things to replace at next OCI, "just because".

 

[Sherman Bird]

Yet another small item came up yesterday, Corey's truck has left over coolant psi in his lines. Changed the rad cap, problem solved. Time to check our aging radiator caps fellas.

I just replace mine and my customers' every 2-3 years. The 2002 Ram 1500 4.7L I'm replacing the engine on had such high pressure that it expanded the radiator to the point it burst! Now, THAT's a BAD cap! It should at least boil over beyond a certain temp and pressure point!

P.S. This man is a new customer. MANY things done to this truck at previous garages scare the heck out of me how dangerous/stoopid many so-called technicians are. I wound up rebuilding his 45RFE while I'm doing these repairs because, unbeknownst to him, the "rebuild" he paid for 3 years ago was/ is a salvage unit with non matching numbers and junk yard notation in paint stick of 4 digits. The trans had had water in it. There was a lot of the clutches delaminated and sucked into the filter, and the valve body had shed 3 bolts which 2 fell out of the filter when I opened it, and one was stuck to the pan magnet.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Great idea, thanks.
What about stats?

My belt started to squeak @ 6 years old and 60,000 miles, on startups. Indicates belt age hardening and/or a bearing seizing. Put a new belt and idler pulley on, no more squeak.

Tech told me coolant hoses today don't really need changing except if soft. These are a different rubber, usually EPDM. What do you guys do?

 

[Burla]

Just need to check it, how many of us check for that? That Corey guy pretty amazing when it comes to his truck maintenance.

 

[Travis8352]

Redline 5w30 seems to be unobtainium just about everywhere except from Redlineoil.com.....

Apparently helene has hurt their supply chain with the move to tennessee

 

[Sherman Bird]

Great idea, thanks.
What about stats?

My belt started to squeak @ 6 years old and 60,000 miles, on startups. Indicates belt age hardening and/or a bearing seizing. Put a new belt and idler pulley on, no more squeak.

Tech told me coolant hoses today don't really need changing except if soft. These are a different rubber, usually EPDM. What do you guys do?

Ever notice that belts and hoses from the factory routinely go past 100,000 miles and are still in fairly good shape? Ever notice hoe aftermarket belts and hoses life a MUCH shorter life? Oh, the aftermarket parts are 60-75% less than OE. There goes that "jumping over a dollar to save a dime" thing again!

 

[Curmudgeon]

Just need to check it, how many of us check for that? That Corey guy pretty amazing when it comes to his truck maintenance.

I check it every time I get the hood open, and at 113,000 miles and almost 10 years*, I figured it was time a while ago. Not wanting to trust my eyes alone I have had 4 mechanics at 3 different shops tell me both belt and idler were fine.

I'd have to go back and double-check but I think the manual says 150,000 miles for the serpentine, don't recall the number of years.

A blown serpentine will have me on the shoulder of the road with a quickness, and at next OCI I will not ask them to check but to just replace both. It'd be nice to find the same quality.

*My 2014 was sold to the original owner in March 2015. I bought it in July 2017 with 20,000 miles.
.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Ever notice that belts and hoses from the factory routinely go past 100,000 miles and are still in fairly good shape? Ever notice hoe aftermarket belts and hoses life a MUCH shorter life? Oh, the aftermarket parts are 60-75% less than OE. There goes that "jumping over a dollar to save a dime" thing again!

The belt idler squeaking was the OE, Sherman.
I replaced with a Gates belt, now made in Mexico. I guess that's better than Chineseum. I don't recall what idler I got - both were from Rock Auto.

 

[Sherman Bird]

The belt idler squeaking was the OE, Sherman.
I replaced with a Gates belt, now made in Mexico. I guess that's better than Chineseum. I don't recall what idler I got - both were from Rock Auto.

There's always the "N" of 1. In 48 years, it has been my observation, and of my colleagues I've asked, that OE items such as belts, hoses, caps, etc. do enjoy a much longer life than AM. As is in EVERY case, or every manufacturer, there ARE defects.

 

[JHoward]

Well, fellers I've been sorta been absent here lately.

I thought where to make a note about my recent new vehicle purchase and thought that here in the synthetic oil thread would probably be the best place as it was here where I first showed up and made comments and friends a few years ago.

I don't own my 2017 RAM 1500 SBRC truck any more as I have traded it in

If it's ok, I'd like to hang around as I have enjoyed you folks here in the RAMforum.

Hammer down and Happy motoring!

 

[JHoward]

Well, I forgot to mention what I traded my 2017 RAM truck for ...

A 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T (5.7 HEMI) ... so, I'm still "dodging" ...

 

[Burla]

Well, I forgot to mention what I traded my 2017 RAM truck for ...

A 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T (5.7 HEMI) ... so, I'm still "dodging" ...

Dang dub you ain't leaving and you still own a hemi. 4 gen perfect place to keep hanging out. That was a real disappointment that fate on your truck, sorry bro that was rough.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Well, I forgot to mention what I traded my 2017 RAM truck for ...

A 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T (5.7 HEMI) ... so, I'm still "dodging" ...

Hope so, I'll be looking forward to your future lab results!
Good luck with your new toy.

 

[JHoward]

Dang dub you ain't leaving and you still own a hemi. 4 gen perfect place to keep hanging out. That was a real disappointment that fate on your truck, sorry bro that was rough.

Thanks, Mike

 

[JHoward]

Hope so, I'll be looking forward to your future lab results!
Good luck with your new toy.

Absolutely!

 

[Hemi395]

Well, I forgot to mention what I traded my 2017 RAM truck for ...

A 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T (5.7 HEMI) ... so, I'm still "dodging" ...

Hell ya congrats!!

Now you have to post some pics of it lol

 

[Burla]

pics

 

[mboymopar]

Congratulations on the Challenger.

 

[JHoward]

pics

Will do, when the weather gets better!

 

[JHoward]

Ok, I'm gonna hang out and be the "Red headed stepchild" ...