No heat in cab

[Cummins12V98]

Axel, thank you!

 

[CBari]

My 13 did the same last year about this time. It ended up being the heater core was stopped up. You couldn't really tell by feeling the hoses going to it like you used to. It had whitish pink junk in it. We tried to flush and clean it before it we dismantled the dash to replace it. Service manager said he had seen several. My truck had about 88K on it at the time.

 

[EDankievitch]

Guess the 10 year coolant is not all it’s cracked up to be....

 

[Ozymandias]

Guess the 10 year coolant is not all it’s cracked up to be....

My guess is that someone topped up with the wrong coolant.
Jelly in the radiator is the classic indicator for that.

 

[CBari]

My guess is that someone topped up with the wrong coolant.
Jelly in the radiator is the classic indicator for that.

I topped mine of with distilled water one time in the four years previous. The radiator appeared clean when we flushed both of them when we replaced the heater core. The service manager at a local shop is the we in this equation and he said he had seen several that gummed up on all kinds of late model dodge products using the new coolant. He also suspected other coolant being used on some, but he had a few such as mine that he was positive hadn't had anything added, but distilled water. Time will tell if it happens again.

 

[EDankievitch]

When I had the water pump replaced, part of the recall campaign, the dealer topped off the system with the wrong stuff. They put in the orange 5 year stuff even though the stuff that came out was purple and the sticker on the degass tank said to use the 10 year stuff. I ended up getting a free flush I had them replace the lower radiator hose an Y pipe at the same time. I had to argue my point that they put in the wrong stuff. Strange thing is the parts counter computer shows our trucks require the 5 year stuff. Color and sticker on truck says/ proves otherwise.

 

[Axel]

When I had the water pump replaced, part of the recall campaign, the dealer topped off the system with the wrong stuff. They put in the orange 5 year stuff even though the stuff that came out was purple and the sticker on the degass tank said to use the 10 year stuff. I ended up getting a free flush I had them replace the lower radiator hose an Y pipe at the same time. I had to argue my point that they put in the wrong stuff. Strange thing is the parts counter computer shows our trucks require the 5 year stuff. Color and sticker on truck says/ proves otherwise.

I had my water pump replaced a year ago and then the coolant low light came on the next day. I purchased the 10 year purple stuff from dealer and topped off. Not sure what they put in so when they did the work....I will try see the colour tomorrow.

 

[GCroyle]

I have no clue what the engine compartment layout on your engine looks like. But several years ago while I was on the road with a cold running 7.3L a tech invited me to their shop and he pulled out an IR temp gun and literally in 2 minutes diagnosed an open t-stat.

Just by following the heat flow thru the system and noting temps on the hoses he figured it out.

Soon after I bought my IR temp gun.

Good luck.

 

[Ozymandias]

I have no clue what the engine compartment layout on your engine looks like. But several years ago while I was on the road with a cold running 7.3L a tech invited me to their shop and he pulled out an IR temp gun and literally in 2 minutes diagnosed an open t-stat.

Just by following the heat flow thru the system and noting temps on the hoses he figured it out.

Soon after I bought my IR temp gun.

Good luck.

I love mine, good to check wheel bearings, brakes, transmissions, manifolds etc.
Very important tool with some disadvantages like measure a mirroring surface, there it fails.

 

[GCroyle]

Oz,

It's become a regular go to tool for anything thermal, and any trailer brake troubleshooting it's in reach.

Plus if its campfire pancake time it's a bit of tech dazzle when you shoot the cast iron pan and pronounce it's ready, pour the batter.

Gary

 

[Axel]

Oz,

It's become a regular go to tool for anything thermal, and any trailer brake troubleshooting it's in reach.

Plus if its campfire pancake time it's a bit of tech dazzle when you shoot the cast iron pan and pronounce it's ready, pour the batter.

Gary

Ok you convinced me, I will put the temp gun on my list to Santa! I did replace the thermostat with a cummins new one...

 

[Axel]

So dropped of my truck this morning at dealership. Got there for 7:30 only to find out service opens at 8. The truck I was aware was not going to be looked at till 1pm. I asked them to fix the heater issue as well as do a commercial safety ( Canada). I got a call at 4pm from the service advisor telling me that there where several things wrong with my truck..she said that the axle seals where leaking, but had no pricing yet for parts....
I asked her what was wrong with the heater and she said they did not know yet....
I called them back around 5:30 trying to find out what is happening only to find out service closed at 5......
Sorry just venting here , not sure how you can run a service department from 8 to five...sounds more like banking hours to me. I will post update hopefully tomorrow with what is actually wrong...

 

[Axel]

Got truck back today. They flushed the heater core with CLR ( let it sit for 1 hour) seams to be working so far.
They also fixed rear axle seal left side and cleaned brake components. Labour $ 1,000.00 parts $ 200.00. So after tax $ 1,477.00.....They also completed the 4 outstanding recalls and did the welding on the track bar.
Was not able to speak with the mechanic since I picked up my truck at 6pm and service closes at 5......

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Ouch! Did you have the original coolant in the truck?

 

[Axel]

Ouch! Did you have the original coolant in the truck?

Yes original 10 year coolant.

 

[gsbrockman]

Yes original 10 year coolant.

But.....were you able to get an accurate answer from the dealership staff IF the coolant was of the correct type since the water pump replacement? It would be interesting to see your warranty invoice, although that does not guarantee the right coolant was actually put in.

I performed two drain & fills (using MoPar concentrate and distilled water) around 150k miles and again around 300k on my 2014 RAM 3500. At 94k miles, the water pump went out under warranty in Huntsville, AL and that dealer ALMOST put the wrong coolant in. The truck was outside and I was impatiently walking around when they began buttoning it up. I had to get the “tech” to verify on the jug that the spec didn’t meet what was on my reservoir. Problem avoided...

My water pump went out again 208k miles later (about 302k on the truck). This failure happened in NC, and I ensured yet again the correct coolant was used. Up through 362k miles, my heater worked great.

Seems as if a possible commonality amongst those with heater output issues are those that have had repairs done that required coolant top offs......

 

[Axel]

If I have time this weekend I will try and find the invoice from last year when they did the water pump recall.
It should have a part number for the coolant. that is the only other time the truck has gone in to dealer.
I remember I had to go and by some coolant the next day and top it off since the low coolant light had come on. I used the correct 10 year Mopar coolant.

 

[EDankievitch]

When my “Y” pipe filed I had to argue with the parts counter guy as to what coolant goes into the truck. His computer kept showing my truck had the 5 year orange stuff. It wasn’t until I insisted that I wanted the 10 year purple stuff would he sell it to me. The shop Tec is not going to question the parts guy he’s just going to install what he’s handed....

 

[black79ta]

I have a 13 Ram, heater has never worked all that well. 2nd owner since 2017. Had the water pump recall yr. ago. Which coolant goes in? Purple or orange.(??)

 

[gsbrockman]

I have a 13 Ram, heater has never worked all that well. 2nd owner since 2017. Had the water pump recall yr. ago. Which coolant goes in? Purple or orange.(??)

....the coolant that meets the spec on your reservoir.