Saw the truck was running a little warmer that normal, so pulled over and checked coolant level, and saw red fluid everywhere! Coolant level was down, but still above the minimum mark, so I babied it home, and washed the engine bay out to get the old fluid off, so I could find the leak. The problem is, it is getting on the fan and blowing it all over the engine. Washed it all off, started it up, and no leak. Took it down the road a bit to load it up and heat the system, and it started leaking again. I can tell it is coming from the front of the engine somewhere, it seems to be dripping a lot off of the tone ring, but I dont know if it is accumulating there and then dripping down. It "seems" there is more coolant towards the right side as you are looking at the front of the truck, but this may just be a coincidence. There is coolant residue on the belt too. I cant see visible leaks from the water pump or coolant lines. Any help, Ideas on what might be leaking? THanks.
P.S. I also put this in the HELP! section, just thought more gurus might notice it here.
M Sandt

 

Went out and looked at it again, it is definately leaking more towards the right side of the motor, at least thats is where the puddle is forming. This is making me think it isnt a water pump, which at first I thoug it might have been since i have 119,000 miles on her, and original water pump as far as I know.

 

if you have a small inspection mirror try to look behind the water pump pulley to see if it is leaking from the water pump wep hole....

I think Autozone barrows out coolant pressure testers??? if they do, try to use one of those to pressure up the system with out the engine on, that should make it a tone less dangerous ans easier to see where it is coming from...

 

CLosely inspected the water pump, and it looks bone dry! There is still residue and slow drips coming off the drivers side, mainly from the power steering area and the tone ring/crank. I'm lost. I guess tomorrow Ill got to Auto Zone and see if they can pressurize the system and look for the leak. Thanks for the help.

M Sandt

 

You did say the fluid was RED didn't you? Coolant is more of a pink to orange colour. If you are seeing red you may actually have a power steering leak or a transmission leak. Wasn't there a recall on transmission lines that had something to do with leaking?

 

Here's a link to the recall notice I was thinking of...it has to do with trans cooler lines cracking and leaking. The cooler lines go to the radiator or axillary cooler at the front...not sure if the lines run on the LHS but it is possible...

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/C44.htm


Also don't forget that if it is red fluid from the LHS that it may be you PS pump leaking or one of the other PS components as it uses the same ATF+4 as the trans does.


Keep us posted

 

I knew it was coolant because I saw a drop in my coolant level, and PS was good, checked that. I went to Autozone and put it on a Coolant Pressure Test Kit, pumped it up, and as soon as it got about 7 psi, I heard the leak and saw coolant leaking. My upper rad hose was dragging on my idler pulley, and it wore right through the hose. How did I not see this, I checked the hoses last night! Well, it was dark I guess. Anyways, new hose was 15 bucks, should be here this afternoon or tomorrow for sure. I bought a radial tire patch kit, and patched the hose and put a hose clamp around it. I saw that recommendation somewhere on here as an emergency fix. IT is holding well. Hasnt leaked yet.

Now, My coolant level reads just below the min mark on the everflow res. It hasnt broke 200 degrees yet with normal driving ( about 15 miles in 90 degrees) so I think I should be good. Any other reason as slightly low coolant level coukd damage anything besides high temps? The dang Dodge service dept. is only open Mon-Fri, and no one around here sells HOAT rated coolant, I dont even know if the dealer will. So, Mon I will call and see about the new coolant, I should be fine until then right? Im not going ot dog it, just normal driving. THanks for yalls help and input.

ANd check you hoses and pulleys!

M Sandt

 

Good catch. I have read this a few times on here. Someone should write a book about all the things to check on these trucks. I look at that exact spot everytime I change the oil to see if it is rubbing.

 

Glad you found it those pressure pumps are the bomb....no sticking your neck down by a truck fan and pulleys while it's running and it's quiet so you can hear leaks too

 

Do you have an AutoZone nearby? http://www.autozone.com/store_locator/home.htm


They carry Zerex G-05....http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=10

It is HOAT rated. I haven't had any trouble running it.

 

Glad you found the issue and at least it isn't a major job.

 

My AutoZone doesnt carry it, and I did a search on AutoZone's website, and they dont show anyhting. I might run up there later and see if they can order this stuff. I called Napa as well, and the guy I spoke with said he doesnt know anyhting about HOAT, just regular coolant. I need to find some somewhere. The truck isnt running hot, but it concersn me that the coolant level is slightly lower than the recommended level. Thanks.

M Sandt

 

Just called Napa, they have 1 gallon left! I'm outta here!