2016 3500 coolant loss

[tp0d]

my 16 srw 3500 has 105k. had an issue with coolant leakin from the welds on the coolant bottle. changed that out, now losing about a quart every 200mi. No obvious leak signs, waterpump was changed at 60k.

I'm thinkin egr cooler, any other poss? (other than headgasket of course lol)

how bad is the egr cooler to replace, if so? im not a bad shadetree mech but dont want to strand my work truck.

tnx for any insight

 

[Jim W]

A very wild guess but you should not be losing that much coolant every month. There was a tread on here awhile back were a user posted that he put a zip-tie tightly around the small coolant over flow hose at the Pressure relief cap on the radiator. I too was losing some coolant but not that much and I also placed a zip-tie around this hose and I haven't loss any coolant since. The hose is about a 3/8" in diameter and runs from under the pressure cap to the overfull bottle along the top of the radiator (at least on my truck). See pic attached.

I would also do an oil analysis to insure no coolant is entering the oil. Very cost effective to do, Geno's sells the kit for $26.00 plus shipping.

 

[tp0d]

Jim- not to be a d1ck but have you looked in the engine bay of a 4th gen at all? might be a good idea.

also- attempting to plug off the pressure overflow of the rad is a very bad thing to do, and could cause a violent failure of the cooling system. luckily your pic shows a tiewrap on the barb portion only

also just changed the oil when i changed the coolant bottle, no excess oil or dilution

 

[SnoKing]

Jim- not to be a d1ck but have you looked in the engine bay of a 4th gen at all? might be a good idea.

also- attempting to plug off the pressure overflow of the rad is a very bad thing to do, and could cause a violent failure of the cooling system. luckily your pic shows a tiewrap on the barb portion only

also just changed the oil when i changed the coolant bottle, no excess oil or dilution

I think you miss understood him! It is to seal the hose on the bib, not restrict the flow in the hose. Think hose clamp!!!! Dick???? Well you said it!

 

[tp0d]

I think you miss understood him! It is to seal the hose on the bib, not restrict the flow in the hose. Think hose clamp!!!! Dick???? Well you said it!

the dick mention was for suggesting the 4th gens have a rad cap, when the cap is on the overflow bottle, not for the tiewrap on the hose. if the joint at the hose was leaking, it would have to be a gusher to use a quart every 200mi

 

[sag2]

If the truck is stock it isn't a head gasket. EGR cooler would be the most likely. I can't recall what year the change was made to self bleeding degas bottle, but I have to think a 16 does not require bleeding to keep from burning up the cooler. It is more likely it was damaged from low coolant level from the leak.

 

[jhenderson]

the dick mention was for suggesting the 4th gens have a rad cap, when the cap is on the overflow bottle, not for the tiewrap on the hose. if the joint at the hose was leaking, it would have to be a gusher to use a quart every 200mi

You should double check before making a smart remark. Early 4th gens used a radiator cap and had a bleed valve on the egr cooler. That changed in 15.

 

[gsbrockman]

You should double check before making a smart remark. Early 4th gens used a radiator cap and had a bleed valve on the egr cooler. That changed in 15.

Actually......I’m quite sure it changed in 2013.

 

[jhenderson]

You’re right, late13 . Parts lists show both caps for 13. In 15 they got rid of the dual radiator.

 

[Jim W]

Jim- not to be a d1ck but have you looked in the engine bay of a 4th gen at all? might be a good idea.

also- attempting to plug off the pressure overflow of the rad is a very bad thing to do, and could cause a violent failure of the cooling system. luckily your pic shows a tiewrap on the barb portion only

also just changed the oil when i changed the coolant bottle, no excess oil or dilution

Yes I have, have you?
Between my two boys and myself we have 4 Dodge/Ram trucks! My oldest has a First Gen and a third gen truck., I have a third gen truck also and my younger son has a fourth gen truck! We all have the same basic set up with radiators that have radiator cap on them!

If you read my post I simply stated that this was a very wild guess and this could work for you, in so, many words to that effect. I also stated on my truck! My other advice was to do an oil sample to see where the coolant is going. This is by far better to do some basic diagnostic work before guessing what to do!

I guess your mother never taught you any manners when growing up I am sorry for that but a lot of the kids in the world today don't have any manners either! So, you will fit right in with them!

 

[SnoKing]

. In 15 they got rid of the dual radiator.

Thank God!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thank God!

100% agree!!!

 

[tp0d]

If the truck is stock it isn't a head gasket. EGR cooler would be the most likely. I can't recall what year the change was made to self bleeding degas bottle, but I have to think a 16 does not require bleeding to keep from burning up the cooler. It is more likely it was damaged from low coolant level from the leak.

yes it does have the self bleeder, on the bottle right next to the connection to the rad.

How tough is the cooler to change? looks like theres 'hot' bolts that could be tough to get out.. hmm

 

[jhenderson]

I’ve had mine out for what turned out to be a totally unnecessary egr system cleaning. It’s not that bad . Genos has the gaskets you need as well as a cheat sheet for directions.