Mystery Coolant Leak

PAPERFISH2001

MEMBER
DODGE RAM

We purchased a 1999, V6 Dodge Ram 1500 four months ago. It has less than 80,000 miles. Last week, out of nowhere it overheated. When I checked the radiator it was bone dry. I replaced the coolant and the truck was fine until this morning when my son came home and said all the "lights on his instrument panel were on again". I went out side and saw a good-sized puddle of coolant on the driveway. I, again, replaced the coolant and started the engine. I let it run for more than 10 minutes and saw no leak.

What in the world could be going on? What do I need to look for/do?

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

You will have to access a cooling system pressure tester to check where this leak is coming from, It may bee a pin hole in a hose that will start to leak when system pressure is up, running the car for 10 mun won't get the pressure up to a point where a leak may become evident, may be after a good drive you may locate this leak. Here is a trick I used once while away from my work shop, Clean the engine as best as you can, top up the coolant with water and add some food dye, something bright. Go for a good drive with the heater on, let the car sit for a few min and check all around for any leak showing on the ground the coloured water should be easy to locate, fix the problem and flush all the cooling system, including the heater and top up with the recommended coolant. Don't forget to check the condition of all hoses and the pressure cap and change the thermostat if it's a few years old.

Good luck

Mark (mhpautos)