2016 Ram 3.6L Pentastar Trip Check

[Fordiesel69]

I need to take my 16 ram on a 4 hour each way trip, but it will be a remote area. I have a pre existing issue with the oil cooler leaking, and it is the black plastic type. Unsure if it is OEM or aftermarket. But it leaks 1 qt a week. And on 2 hour trips will use 0.5 qts of oil. I know it needs a cooler and I have a new aluminum dorman waiting to go on just need warm weather to do it.

Aside from the cooler, is this safe to drive 4 hrs each direction, and any other items I should check before I leave that are specific to this truck? I know my fords quite well, not these as much.

 

[wwillson]

If you check the oil and top up you'll be fine. However, there are reports of cracked coolers (yours is cracked) catastrophically failing and blowing all the oil out in seconds.

Do you gamble?

 

[Rand]

Pretty sure you know its a bad idea... but I'll say it... IT's A BAD IDEA

 

[hemitom]

Remote area ! possibility of total failure ! If you are losing half a quart in two hours total failure is eminent.
Not worth the risk .

 

[Tkonrr]

Better off renting or borrowing another vehicle for the trip. On my wife's 2015 Wrangler, she had less than 3 quarts in the sump with a 6 quart capacity. She told me "I just topped it up the other day." I went to drain what was left as it was due for a change, found oil all over the back of the engine and transmission. A long trip in that condition is not a good idea.

 

[dogememe]

Don't drive that!

 

[THORROMIG]

I am in the "leave it parked" crowd.

 

[D60]

Four hours one way ain't that much. But for me it would depend upon "remote." Is this rural paved roads, or middle-of-nowhere dirt with no traffic and no cell coverage at all?

I'd do the former and skip the latter.

 

[Tdbo]

I'd say repair it or leave it at home.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Ahh, not what I wanted to hear. I assumed the oring seals are leaking and not the plastic housing being cracked or blown. What a bummer.

With over 200k its most llikely on its 4th housing / cooler.

 

[meep]

Nice truck! It’s worth the repair.