TRUCKS

Here’s What Causes the Infamous Ram Coolant Leak

The Ram consistently ranks above average pickups in terms of reliability. But the Ram 1500 is not without its problems. One of the most common owner complaints is coolant leaks, which can overheat the engine and cause serious problems. But the mechanic at 1A Auto revealed which components are causing coolant leaks on your fourth-generation Ram 1500 and how to diagnose a faulty truck yourself.

What causes coolant leaks?

Car coolant is a liquid that circulates between the radiator and the engine block to keep temperatures low. Any component in this circuit can fail and cause a leak, but different makes and models have specific weaknesses that are worth checking.

It listed the following refrigerant circuit components from which a leak could conceivably occur: radiator, water pump (which circulates the coolant), housing gasket that seals the thermostat to the engine (the thermostat controls this circuit), heater return tube, O-ring, intake manifold gasket, Timing cover gasket.

The coolant circuit (which runs through the cab heater) obviously has a lot of components that could be leaking. Fortunately for us, 1A Auto Parts employs experienced mechanics to create guides for common vehicle problems. A mechanic named Lenny revealed that from his experience, Ram trucks develop a water pump, radiator, or radiator cap. Scroll to the bottom of this article to see these components for yourself.

Can you see the coolant leaking?

If there is a coolant leak in your vehicle, the first thing you will notice is a low coolant level. Most plastic coolant overflow tanks have a “complete” and “add” line for your reference. But you may also see residual coolant leaking.

Ram 1500 Engine | stellants

Once upon a time, cars only used water as an engine coolant. But in modern cars, the coolant is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol, so the liquid doesn’t freeze if the car is left in wintry weather overnight. This fluid is green in color and, if it leaks from a leak, can leave a trail of green gummy sediment.

Lenny revealed that a common place for Ram 1500 radiator leaks is the seam between the aluminum body and the plastic radiator grilles. Ram assembles the radiator with a gasket between that aluminum and the plastic, but that gasket sometimes “doesn’t last as long as it should.” Another spot is between the water pump in the coolant circuit and the block. Lenny said a leaking water pump is a common problem across many Chrysler products.

Note that while Lenny has been addressing issues with the fourth-generation (2009-2017) Ram 1500, the automaker is still using the same drivetrain with its current trucks.

Can you fix a coolant leak in a ram 1500?

Your Ram 1500 might be leaking coolant due to a faulty radiator cap (easy to fix) or a cracked engine block (difficult and expensive). So before you set the price for fixing the problem, you’ll want to determine where your coolant is leaking.

A fourth-generation Ram 1500 minivan is parked in a garage with a coolant leak.
Ram 1500 Pickup Truck | Paul Cansonjo via Unsplash

If you cannot detect any antifreeze deposits revealing the source of the leak, you will need to pull the oil dipstick and make sure there is no liquid in the oil. If antifreeze leaks into the engine sump, the oil will turn into a gray mixture that has the consistency of mayonnaise.

If you do not have coolant in the oil, you will need a special tool to locate the leak. Lenny added that the simple coolant circuit pressure replaces your radiator cap and has a handy bulb that you can press to increase pressure. When you add pressure, you should be able to see where the coolant is leaking from.

Once you know the problematic component of your Ram 1500’s coolant circuit that is leaking antifreeze, you can get an estimate of the parts needed to fix it and the labor costs.

Next, find out why or watch Lenny’s full rundown of the top 5 problems with the 4th generation Ram 1500 in the video below:

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