Leaking coolant

[Gerrydoc]

Have had to refill my coolant reservoir twice in the last 3 weeks there is a smell of cool it when engine is running but cannot find any leaks that are visual 2019 ram 1500 Laramie anybody else having the same problem

 

[RamCares]

Hi Gerrydoc,

We understand that you are currently seeking assistance from other forum members, however, we recommend visiting your Ram dealer for a diagnosis. Please don't hesitate to send our team a private message if you would like additional support while in service.

Darlene
Ram Cares

 

[TomD131]

I had the same problem. Within 48 hours of owning (less than that) my truck heated up almost all the way over so I shut off the A/C and pulled over. Fans were blaring and I noticed the temp went down so I kept it running. I checked and my coolant reservoir was completely empty.

Went to the dealer and they filled and pressure tested, found nothing wrong and informed me there was air that finally worked its way out (brand new truck, so nearly no miles on it).

1 week later was cleaning leaves off windshield and popped the hood to remove some more. For the heck of it checked coolant again - empty entirely again. I brought it right to the dealer where it remained for 6 days until today. They tested everything and were in continuous contact with STAR.

Leak down test, compression test, looked into every cylinder with a scope. Replaced radiator cap, checked oil, transmission fluid, inside cabin, under hood everywhere. Nothing. After another cooling system pressure test and them driving my truck for 55 miles by the time I got it back, they again said the same thing - air in system purged its way out, lowering the level. I have the full STAR-mechanic transcripts of their correspondence with my receipt.

That's the second time bringing my brand new truck that I had for 2 weeks in for this issue. I will continue to monitor it and if it is empty again I will open up my own case with STAR, get a case number and bring it right back to the dealer.

I spoke with the OP of this thread and he was kind enough to respond. He said his leak was due to a bad transmission cooler which was replaced and it is fine now. My issue has been frustrating but I want any other poor souls who are trying to enjoy their new truck to have some information to work off of. I will post more in the future here if anything else happens with this.

 

[azzx]

I have 6200 miles on my truck.
At random I do smell coolant after I park the truck. (today after 7 mile commute in 50 deg temp)
I do not see any leaks and the resviour is up to the level.
any ideas before I head to the dealer?

 

[RamCares]

I have 6200 miles on my truck.
At random I do smell coolant after I park the truck. (today after 7 mile commute in 50 deg temp)
I do not see any leaks and the resviour is up to the level.
any ideas before I head to the dealer?

Hi azzx,

As our team here is not mechanically trained, we are unfortunately unable to speculate regarding this concern. However, please know that we would be more than happy to get you connected with a case specialist for an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer on this. We are just a private message away to get the process started.

Mark
RamCares

 

[HeliPilot]

I have 6200 miles on my truck.
At random I do smell coolant after I park the truck. (today after 7 mile commute in 50 deg temp)
I do not see any leaks and the resviour is up to the level.
any ideas before I head to the dealer?

I have had the coolant smell since new. My truck is a year old now. Its always when I'm near the front. I narrowed mine down to the yellow cap on the coolant reservoir. It does not seal tightly, and the coolant smell originates from the yellow cap on mine when the engine is hot. 20K miles on my truck, with zero cooling issues. My wife Grand Cherokee (Purchased same day as my truck) has the exact same issue.

 

[azzx]

Thanks
I will check the cap

 

[Ramit392]

I have a Ram and a 2018 Scat Pack Charger.....Kept finding small amounts of black exhaust water but was in upper part of garage floor opposite the rear end of the car. Went one for two months....then I herd a odd noise when the car was idling that sounded like old school bearing from front pulley. Took charger in for dealer check....they found water pump bearing going out replaced water pump. It only has 31000 miles on it. The water/coolant was dripping and blowing back on exhaust and dripping in garage floor. Never smelled any coolant or had no increase in engine temps either.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

I have had the coolant smell since new. My truck is a year old now. Its always when I'm near the front. I narrowed mine down to the yellow cap on the coolant reservoir. It does not seal tightly, and the coolant smell originates from the yellow cap on mine when the engine is hot. 20K miles on my truck, with zero cooling issues. My wife Grand Cherokee (Purchased same day as my truck) has the exact same issue.

Same with mine. Rolled under the truck numerous times trying to find the leak and finally determined the best I could that its coming from the reservoir cap. No cooling issues so far but if you can smell coolant that means its evaporating through the cap and you're losing water/coolant little by little.

 

[azzx]

have not had a chance to take mine to the dealer.
I checked the coolant level with the plastic dipstick that is in the reservoir --- cold engine.
the reading is at minimum line. So it is low

 

[HeliPilot]

have not had a chance to take mine to the dealer.
I checked the coolant level with the plastic dipstick that is in the reservoir --- cold engine.
the reading is at minimum line. So it is low

Cold engines are usually near the min line, hot engines near max line because of the heat expansion.

 

[AndreiV]

With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine coolant
should be between the ADD and SAFE range on the dipstick per manual.

I think ideal level is at MAX level when cold.

 

[barr0208]

With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine coolant
should be between the ADD and SAFE range on the dipstick per manual.

I think ideal level is at MAX level when cold.

no it would expand and could push the cap and let coolant out between min and max is correct.

 

[djjr50]

Subscribing.

Mine has this smell since I got it 3 weeks ago.

 

[HeliPilot]

22,500 miles, have had this smell since day 1. I finally decided to check the coolant level (1 year later) and the level was centered between min and max. So, I am confident, at least for this truck, my earlier conclusion that the smell was originating from the loose fitting filler cap was spot on.

 

[djjr50]

22,500 miles, have had this smell since day 1. I finally decided to check the coolant level (1 year later) and the level was centered between min and max. So, I am confident, at least for this truck, my earlier conclusion that the smell was originating from the loose fitting filler cap was spot on.

I pray that this is my issue. Is there a tighter cap that we can replace it with?

 

[nmajor18]

Had mine at the dealer for regular maintenance and complained, again, about the coolant smell. Once, again, they said no leaks and everything checks out.... Glad I'm not the only one with this issue! 29K miles and has already spent more time at the dealer than my last 5 Chevys combined....

 

[HeliPilot]

Had mine at the dealer for regular maintenance and complained, again, about the coolant smell. Once, again, they said no leaks and everything checks out.... Glad I'm not the only one with this issue! 29K miles and has already spent more time at the dealer than my last 5 Chevys combined....

Sorry to hear that about your truck, mines only ever been in for regular oil changes, currently at 23K miles

 

[KRField]

I pray that this is my issue. Is there a tighter cap that we can replace it with?

I wonder if a piece off gasket on the cap or an o ring would work to seal the cap off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LS3GXP]

Same issue here and glad I have some info to bring to the dealer after reading this thread. Added nearly a quart of antifreeze 8 days ago, and the level is again on the minimum line. 29K miles on the truck and this will be the 12th visit to the dealer for different issues. Truck rides and tows great but becoming very frustrated with the amount of problems.
If I receive a different response from the dealer than what is here, I'll update the post.