Temperature Issues

[BinaryData]

Hey Guys,

About a year ago, y'all helped me out with an overheating problem. It was a bad thermostat, I got it replaced, and everything was solid. Here it is a year later, and I'm having similar issues again. I explained what happened to a friend of mine, whose a mechanic and he said I had a head gasket leak. Here's what I told him, and how he came to that conclusion.

As you know, over the summer, I've been lending my truck to family for hauling horses. Not a big deal, however they neglected to do general maintenance. I'm not blaming them, it's my truck, and my responsibility to keep it maintained. I watched my temp gauge move above the halfway mark, and I immediately went to wal-mart, and picked up anti-freeze. I figured I could be low, thinking that I burned off some anti-freeze over the last year. I put about a gallon in there. Truck temps have been OK for the most part, however my truck still climbs to 190s when driving a steady speed. Doesn't matter if it's 25mph or 70mph, I still climb to 190s. Idling, i'll reach 190s. I know that 190s is a low temp, however I only drop below 179 unless I'm going up a hill or down a hill. It's like the "pump" isn't powerful enough. When I popped the cap, there was a ton of gunk and garbage at the top of the radiator cap. Looked like molded orange peels.

I've ordered a new thermostat, I've bought 3 gallons of 50/50 Anti-freeze, and with this post, I was going to ask for a good product to buy for flushing the coolant, if it's even necessary to do that. How often should radiator maintenance be done? Should I check it everytime I do an oil change? Feels like every time I fix one problem, another one springs up. For those of you who posted on my last issue, that code went away, and I've had no transmission issues. Like it was bugged or something. I've got about $5,000 saved towards my new truck, used some of my other cash for paying down my current truck to bring it less upside down. Hoping to not have to spend that $5k on a head gasket or engine replacement. I'm getting rather tired of coming here and asking for help when something goes wrong. I feel like a total **** for doing it. If y'all need PC help, just holler. I owe everyone one of y'all free support and beer for a year, at least.

 

[Elevated 2013]

That’s what we’re here for. We give advice because we want to. But that free beer for a year sounds good to me. Lol. Your temperatures are below normal if you have a stock thermostat. For a 180 thermostat that’s perfect. As for the funk, definitely flush it before doing anything. It’s either Peak or Preston makes a kit to flush the system, but I generally go to a shop to let them hookup a machine and really pressure flush it until it comes out completely clean. Then replace your thermostat if you do choose to, but I don’t see it being necessary. As for the head gasket, watch for white smoke especially during a cold start and check your oil to see if it looks like a chocolate milkshake. If so, you either have an intake manifold gasket leak or a head gasket leak.

 

[crash68]

There are test kits to detect combustion gasses in the coolant and/or do a pressure test to determine if it's a blown head gasket.
Do a good flush and refill to clean out the crude, pull the lower radiator hose to further facilitate crude removal.

 

[Burla]

rmi 25 is a radiator flush, it will safely clean out crud, do it before you drain coolant and do a flush. Make sure you use HOAT in a 2009, it is rated for 5 years but should be 3 years or 36k miles to be safe, especially because you never get 100% flush, when there is an issue like this, I'd drop that down to a 24k interval. Send an oil sample to blackstone, it will tell you if coolant is in oil, if not then the problem is a lot smaller. If the oil is milky, no need to send sample, you are f'd. I'd say you need a pcv replacement, hopefully that isnt too late.

 

[BinaryData]

I took a look at my oil, mostly black with a little brown. I didnt snap a picture but I'll do that in the morning. Neighbors are getting cranky. Here's the gunk I spoke of.

 

[Burla]

Whenever neighbors get cranky, clean the ar15 in the driveway, that should shut them up.

Might be a good idea to drain off some using the radiator peacock, you can use that to drain some off and inspect, and put back that amount, without having to burp system.

 

[superjoe83]

Id be concerned about what looks like green coolant in your system, which does not mix with the HOAT coolant that your supposed to have in there. That could be what is making that slime in your radiator

 

[Burla]

Id be concerned about what looks like green coolant in your system, which does not mix with the HOAT coolant that your supposed to have in there. That could be what is making that slime in your radiator

Great point, take more pics and drain off some and take pics, clearly that isn't just orange hoat, and if you didnt touch it, the dealer cross mixed coolants.

 

[BinaryData]

Since I didnt know what HOAT was, I looked it up and looked for the bottles I bought.



My overflow tank had fluids in it 2 days ago, now its bone dry. I'll look up where the plug is and pull some fluids. I'll schedule an appointment for an oil change, and a radiator flush. I'll ask them if they see any issues. Probably be a week or two, with holidays coming up and snow heading our way. Would buying some sealant fluid help in anyway?

I know this is an alarming issue, I'll try and not drive either. I've got 1 trip this weekend, and that's it, other than work.

 

[superjoe83]

That's probably not the worst thing to put in there, but I don't like the "one for all" coolants, I would go ahead with the flush, and see what happens from there. I would advise against any stop leak

 

[south7west]

I'd completely flush your coolant and replace it with Zerex G05, you can buy it at any auto parts store. Prestone makes a good radiator flush, you can buy it along with the coolant. My recommendation is not to put just any coolant in your tank because you need the additives that are in the G05. Best of luck

 

[BinaryData]

Thanks to y'all. I'll schedule the appointment tomorrow morning, and request that they put that coolant in. I'll post back once it's done. Give a sit rep and go from there. I feel that I should drain the fluids out now, and put the other stuff in, once I get the new thermostat.

 

[RamCares]

Thanks to y'all. I'll schedule the appointment tomorrow morning, and request that they put that coolant in. I'll post back once it's done. Give a sit rep and go from there. I feel that I should drain the fluids out now, and put the other stuff in, once I get the new thermostat.

Hi BinaryData,

Please be sure to keep us updated on your dealer's findings. If our team can be of any additional support while your truck is in service, we would be more than happy to help. We are just a private message away.

Mark
RamCares

 

[BinaryData]

Status Update!

Sorry, still working insane hours, working 60 - 72 hours still. Trying to meet an unrealistic deadline, typical Fortune 500 company demand. Anyways, here's the update.

While my brother was working on my brakes this last weekend, he noticed I had a leak in my truck. The engine was fairly cold when he pulled it into the shop, so it wasn't leaking a ton. He wasn't sure if it was from the water pump, or if it was the radiator hose. I haven't had the time to take my truck to the shop, and my "Oil Change" notification came on last week, I'll be taking a few extra days off next week to get some much needed rest, and truck stuff situation. I did get new tires, right before we're expecting 1 - 2" of snow, haha.

Now my questions are;

1. Is it easy to replace the water pump?
If that's a yes, is there anything specific I'll need, and is there one that I should get for a replacement? I'm buying most of my parts off of rockauto.
2. Should I replace the radiator hoses, they look like they are the original ones on there.

 

[grizzstang]

Typically replacing a water pump is not too difficult but I have not done one on a Ram yet.

The hardest part is usually removing the fan and fan clutch. Soak it down with Liquid Wrench or your favorite penetrating oil and remember they are reverse threads. You will need a big wrench or the proper clutch fan removal tool.

When you remove the water pump bolts keep them in order, on several I have done some of the bolts are different lengths. Clean both gasket surfaces off really well. I am not sure if the Ram pump uses a traditional gasket or O-ring type gasket but make sure you have it. Don't over torque the bolts when you install it.

You will have to drain all the coolant so yes I would replace the rad hoses as they are 10 years old.



Here is a video to show you what you are in for.

 

[Octane]

Status Update!

Sorry, still working insane hours, working 60 - 72 hours still. Trying to meet an unrealistic deadline, typical Fortune 500 company demand. Anyways, here's the update.

While my brother was working on my brakes this last weekend, he noticed I had a leak in my truck. The engine was fairly cold when he pulled it into the shop, so it wasn't leaking a ton. He wasn't sure if it was from the water pump, or if it was the radiator hose. I haven't had the time to take my truck to the shop, and my "Oil Change" notification came on last week, I'll be taking a few extra days off next week to get some much needed rest, and truck stuff situation. I did get new tires, right before we're expecting 1 - 2" of snow, haha.

Now my questions are;

1. Is it easy to replace the water pump?
If that's a yes, is there anything specific I'll need, and is there one that I should get for a replacement? I'm buying most of my parts off of rockauto.
2. Should I replace the radiator hoses, they look like they are the original ones on there.

Replaced my 2013 Ram hemi water pump 3 weeks ago.Not hard to do just keep the bolts in proper order to reinstall correctly.

 

[BinaryData]

I'm going to replace hoses first, since that's something I can do without my brothers assistance and my apartment complex managers aren't going to get pissed at me for doing it.

Still doing the flush and oil change.

Edit:

Apparently $50 - $100 for a flush is normal, I'm on hold with this. Oil change is a priority since it was due about 750 miles ago. Started hearing a nasty metal clanking sound when I stepped on the gas or brakes. So it's being checked out for those two issues. I'll get that flush done when I find out how much these repairs will cost me.

 

[BinaryData]

Cool. So I got the update.

Problem 1 - Rear Control Arms are *****'d. Not sure how, I'm assuming the trailer is what destroyed them. Extended warranty is covering this from the texts I received.
Problem 2 - Water Pump is going out. They didn't give me an estimate, or if extended warranty would cover it.

 

[jasonw]

Water pumps are usually covered by powertrain-type extended warranties, but it always depends on the exact warranty you got.

Water pumps are a fairly common item to go out on the Hemis. Most of the time, after the first replacement, they're good for a long time.
Every once in a while (hopefully not the case here), there is an instance of the Hemi that just loves to eat water pumps, and people have to replace them every 30k-50k miles or so. I am still not convinced this is a Hemi issue, but possibly cases of silliness: "I bought a cheap-a$$ no-name-brand water pump, I don't understand why it doesn't last..."

You don't have to spend a fortune on a water pump, and you don't have to buy OEM, but if you go aftermarket, you should do your research before purchase.

 

[BinaryData]

I usually buy OEM, or I ask on here. The knowledge I've gained from asking dumb questions, has made owning a truck way better and easier. When I pick up my truck on Monday or Tuesday, I'll ask if it was covered. The dealership I'm working with is super awesome, probably the best experience of my life. One of the sales managers saw me in there 4 or 5x in a month, and he was unhappy that my Dodge was having that many problems. We talked, found out one of my colleagues is his former colleague, he gave me his card, and said if he can help in any way, to give him a call. When I go to buy my 2018 or 2019 3500, I'll probably go there rather than getting it straight from Dodge.