Ram 1500 coolant smell

[Rick3478]

Tomato, tomahto. Could also call it a recirculating catch can.

That works for me, as long as you understand how it works. When people say overflow, makes me wonder...

 

[Rlaf75]

Yeah if you don't properly maintain your coolin system. The water pump will "weep" as a sign it's going bad

They weep because they were neglected for a very long time lol

 

[jdolotina]

Just wanted to add to this thread. Currently have my 2020 Ram 5.7 in the dealer with 36,000 miles for what appears to be a water pump leak. Changed the oil on my truck and noticed orange stains just below the crankshaft pulley. Looked between the accessories and timing cover and noticed it was coming from the water pump. I have always had this strange issue where at idle the truck will heat to 226 degrees and the fan will kick on but never cool the truck down below 222. I took it in almost a year ago for the same issue (running hot while idle) and was told it was a software update and the issue appeared to be fixed. Truck heats up to 226, fan kicks on, fan cools truck to 212 and cycle off. I am sort of bothered by the fact it's cropping itself back up and now the pump is leaking. Maybe the two are related... Either way, just wanted to relay to everyone that don't just assume the smell is coming from the expansion tank. Look under the engine and see if you can find coolant leaking from the pump. Mine is such a slow leak that there's no visible stain on the driveway. It's leaking onto a crossmember on the truck and I am sure is evaporating while I am underway. Hope this helps!

 

[HSKR R/T]

Just wanted to add to this thread. Currently have my 2020 Ram 5.7 in the dealer with 36,000 miles for what appears to be a water pump leak. Changed the oil on my truck and noticed orange stains just below the crankshaft pulley. Looked between the accessories and timing cover and noticed it was coming from the water pump. I have always had this strange issue where at idle the truck will heat to 226 degrees and the fan will kick on but never cool the truck down below 222. I took it in almost a year ago for the same issue (running hot while idle) and was told it was a software update and the issue appeared to be fixed. Truck heats up to 226, fan kicks on, fan cools truck to 212 and cycle off. I am sort of bothered by the fact it's cropping itself back up and now the pump is leaking. Maybe the two are related... Either way, just wanted to relay to everyone that don't just assume the smell is coming from the expansion tank. Look under the engine and see if you can find coolant leaking from the pump. Mine is such a slow leak that there's no visible stain on the driveway. It's leaking onto a crossmember on the truck and I am sure is evaporating while I am underway. Hope this helps!

So sounds like the software update corrected the fan and it's operating normal now. Newer engines all run hotter. It's why most manufacturers went away from actual temp markings on the coolant temp guage and just have hot/cold. If you didn't have the digital temp readout, you would have never known hot how it actually got before fan kicked on. The actual "guage" in the dash doesn't move much between normal highway speeds where it's between 204-210 and when the fan kicks in at idle at 226.

 

[mikeru82]

It also hopefully directs the fluid to someplace where it won't hurt much, as opposed to squirting out the front into the fan and belts and everything they sling stuff onto.

Haha...that's wishful thinking. Just like every other engine out there...there is no redirection of the fluid that comes out of the weep hole. It just drains onto wherever gravity and/or air flow may take it.

 

[jdolotina]

So sounds like the software update corrected the fan and it's operating normal now. Newer engines all run hotter. It's why most manufacturers went away from actual temp markings on the coolant temp guage and just have hot/cold. If you didn't have the digital temp readout, you would have never known hot how it actually got before fan kicked on. The actual "guage" in the dash doesn't move much between normal highway speeds where it's between 204-210 and when the fan kicks in at idle at 226.

You do make a good point about the needle gauge versus the digital. You’re correct that it does not move much at all while in the 197-222ish range. The digital gauge definitely gives you more fidelity about what’s really going on. Obviously the leaking water pump is a problem. I should clarify that once they completed the software fix last year, the truck still got warmer at idle (224-226), fan would kick in and reduce temps down to 212-215 and the fan would cycle off. Fast forward to now and the truck warms up to the same temps, but when the fan kicks on the temp drops only a few degrees and the fan stays on. It never turns off and in some cases the truck continues to rise in temp a degree or two. You can hit the gas a bit and the fan revs up with the throttle input. I totally get that these trucks run a bit hotter at idle due to emissions or fuel economy. However, the temp shouldn’t linger at its peak temp with the fan running at 80% ish and not cycle off. That’s really the concern I have.

What’s different this round is the water pump is leaking too. Last time I took it in a year ago, the temp got up to 240 degrees at idle with fan running at what appeared to be 90% or higher and not cooling the truck. This time, it just hovers at 222-226 with the fan on. I’m hoping that coolant loss from the leaking pump is the reason why it won’t get any lower than 222. Less cooling capacity because some fluid has leaked out.

 

[INVISBLE]

I have the smell, been bugging me for two years. Chalked it up to "working as designed", learned that fun phrase from the dealership. I think it's the loose fitting cap on the overflow tank allowing vapor to sneak by

This... is exactly what I think too, mine started smelling less than a year after I bought it. And here 3 years plus later, still smells and still no discernible amount of fluid gone.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I have the smell, been bugging me for two years. Chalked it up to "working as designed", learned that fun phrase from the dealership. I think it's the loose fitting cap on the overflow tank allowing vapor to sneak by

When mine smells, the smell is stronger on drivers side, opposite of the overflow. So rules that out.

 

[ZZZ]

I recently noticed a "hot" smell emitting from the engine compartment after use and parking the truck in the garage. I bought the vehicle (2019 Limited, 20,000 miles) this past spring and never noticed any odor throughout the summer. It seems to have started when I started using the heater. Any ideas?

 

[Arrowv]

I have the same coolant small in my 2019 1500 Limited. This happens with the heater is running. The biggest thing I notice is when I turn ON recirculation, the smell goes away. I saw a simple fix was to replace the radiator cap. I picked on up today and will try it once the truck cools down.

 

[Dragonmaster13]

My coolant smell in the cab started today. Enough I had to roll the windows down while driving in -20C weather. Defrost wasn’t working very well either. There was a thick fog on the inside of the windshield which makes me think I have a three way valve or heater core leak in the dash. Still under warranty so it’ll go in in about a week if the smell persists. Very annoying as I’m in the height of hockey and ringette seasons for my kids and my work is not serviced by transit.

 

[Dragonmaster13]

My coolant smell in the cab started today. Enough I had to roll the windows down while driving in -20C weather. Defrost wasn’t working very well either. There was a thick fog on the inside of the windshield which makes me think I have a three way valve or heater core leak in the dash. Still under warranty so it’ll go in in about a week if the smell persists. Very annoying as I’m in the height of hockey and ringette seasons for my kids and my work is not serviced by transit.

Had the truck into the dealer yesterday and confirmed the heater core is leaking. Worst part is no parts available for 8-10 days and have to drive with the smell, slowly poisoning myself with Ethylene Glycol vapour until they come in. Glad it's under warranty as it's a $1300 touch for the dash re&re.

 

[Rick3478]

Had the truck into the dealer yesterday and confirmed the heater core is leaking. Worst part is no parts available for 8-10 days and have to drive with the smell, slowly poisoning myself with Ethylene Glycol vapour until they come in. Glad it's under warranty as it's a $1300 touch for the dash re&re.

Make sure they thoroughly wash all the ductwork and clean the inside of all the windows. If not, the fog and smell will be with you forever.

 

[Scram1500]

Block off the heater core with a line clamp

 

[Bigmike6785]

Hey guys.

I had a 4th gen ram for years with basically no issues. I got a 2021 1500 limited about a month ago and it constantly smelled of coolant from the front end. No smell inside so I’m sure it’s not the heater core leaking. I figured it’s a pinhole in the radiator because my coolant stayed level. No leaks. Nothing. Then I figured a pinhole would still probably leak when it’s cold. I went to the dealer purchased a new rad cap. No smell for 2 days. 3 rd day smells came back. I looked for the a new cap but nothing was comparable. I didn’t believe this.

Fix.
I went to auto zone. They looked up the truck and said no sorry we have no cap for the truck. I asked for a universal duralast with the red release on it. They only one they had was 18lb. I took it. Next morning I put it on it while the engine was cold. The engine temps are cooler now. Guess what!! The truck doesn’t smell anymore. I guess those cheap rad caps the dealer has are mostly failing. I went ahead and got a 16lb one but haven’t switched it yet. I’m back in love with the truck. No more smell when opening my window. No more smell when walking by. No more smell when sniffing my grill lol.

duralast 7718 is the 18lb. Cap
Duralast 7816 is the 16lb cap.
I’m still on the 18lb cap. One week in and still haven’t smelled a thing.
Hope this helps people out.

oh. I also used 2 zip ties marine grade that are curved to squeeze better. I zip tied the tube under the rap cap that goes to overflow. I did both at the same time. I’m not touching anything. Experiment over.

Bigmike6785 I have a 2023 Ram 1500 Bighorn and got it a year ago, after about 6 months i started smelling the antifreeze odor from under my hood. Like ive read in these comments, my fluid levels are never low and truck doesnt run hot but the odor is very annoying. I've changed out the 16v pound radiator cap with a 16 pound cap with the red button on it and still smelling it. I took it to the dealership since its under warranty and as usual they say they cant find any leaks. They said they did a presure test of the coolant system and it held. has anyone had any luck finding the problem and solving it?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Bigmike6785 I have a 2023 Ram 1500 Bighorn and got it a year ago, after about 6 months i started smelling the antifreeze odor from under my hood. Like ive read in these comments, my fluid levels are never low and truck doesnt run hot but the odor is very annoying. I've changed out the 16v pound radiator cap with a 16 pound cap with the red button on it and still smelling it. I took it to the dealership since its under warranty and as usual they say they cant find any leaks. They said they did a presure test of the coolant system and it held. has anyone had any luck finding the problem and solving it?

Is it really a problem if there is no leak, and your coolant level isn't low?

 

[Bigmike6785]

Is it really a problem if there is no leak, and your coolant level isn't low?

It is when im spending that much money on a new vehicle and it smells like anti freeze.

 

[Scram1500]

It is when im spending that much money on a new vehicle and it smells like anti freeze.

As the vehicle ages and depreciates, the smell remains the same. Just wait a few years and you won't care

 

[ram0686]

As the vehicle ages and depreciates, the smell remains the same. Just wait a few years and you won't care

That's where I'm at. It drove me mad.. but something else will pop up that will take your mind off that!

 

[SD Rebel]

Maybe this after warranty or you don't live somewhere too cold? Or temporary fix for those that want their heater and defroster.