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Grizz1138 · Dec 14, 2007, 06:09 AM

I was wondering if anyone could provide some opinions as to what may be causing this truck to overheat. Almost a year ago exactly I took it in to have all the head gaskets replaced and have them machine the heads because they had started to warp. It was leaking antifreeze like a sieve. Well, it stopped leaking antifreeze, but now it has been sucking it down non-stop. I have been filling it almost every month since I have taken it in, but I have not seen any leaks.
This problem came up last night on my way back home, the Check Gauges light came on, and the engine temp was almost redline. Pulled it over and found that all the antifreeze was back in the overflow reservoir and the tube feeding from the radiator to the engine was trying to vacuum seal itself shut. I had no back pressure because I opened the overflow to see how full it was and nothing escaped as far as built up air pressure.
This has been a great truck, except for the heat issue.

My first thought was the thermostat. Any guesses as to how much something like that will cost to replace? Any ideas are welcome!
Thank you all for your time
Grizz1138

CaptainRich · Dec 14, 2007, 06:32 AM

Grizz,
The t-stat will be about $73-75 plus a little over an hour flat-rate to replace. Additoinal for any coolant used.
But, before you just replace the t-stat, you might want to find out where that coolant is going.

Grizz1138 · Dec 14, 2007, 08:51 AM

That's the thing that has me scratching my head too. There are some days after heavy use that I can walk around the truck and smell a little bit of hot antifreeze, but I have been under that thing so many times changing the oil and have not seen a leak. The last time was a pretty steady stream down the block on the drivers side, I wonder if it now leaking down the back of the block?
I will have to check again
Thank you, please keep them coming!

CaptainRich · Dec 14, 2007, 08:57 AM

You may need to use a leak-detecting dye by adding it to the cooling system.
If the coolant is spraying out and hitting the hot exhaust, it may evaporate before it can puddle. If it's being burn in the engine, leak testing the block is another diagnostic option.

JoeMel · Jan 12, 2012, 07:30 PM

Hi, I have researched this and found that the Ram v10 is known to have problems with cracking heads. The two best solutions are to either have them fixed by a professional head repair shop, or to trade them in on for re-manufactured heads. I hear new heads are on national back order.