Dodge Ram/ Coolant Problems

[rugerman1]

1998 Dodge Ram 2500 71,500 miles
8.0L 488 c.i.d. V-10 Gas
Oil Use Interval:1500 miles/ 5 months
Oil:Mobil1 Tri-Syn, 6 quarts 5w-30+ 1 quart 15w-50
Make-up oil added:0
Filter: Purolater l34875
Not a daily driver. When started,it idles until warm and then driven hard.


ALUMINUM,3
CHROMIUM,1
IRON,25
COPPER,7
LEAD, 13

TIN,2
MOLYBDENUM,3
NICKEL,0
MANGANESE,0
SILVER,0
TITANIUM,0
POTASSIUM, 27

BORON,39
SILICON,7
SODIUM, 54

CALCIUM,791
MAGNESIUM,1319
PHOSPHORUS,649
ZINC,761
BARIUM,0

SUS Vis @ 210*F,58.4
Flashpoint,385
Fuel, ANTIFREEZE,0.11%

Water,0.0
Insoluables,0.5%
>COMMENTS( Blackstone ):MARK: This isn't much anti-freeze in the oil, reading at 0.11%, but it apparently was enough to affect bearing wear. Note the above average lead, from the babbit in your bearings. Had the oil been run longer than the 1,500 miles you had it in use, the contaminate, which is shown in potassium and sodium, would have read at a higher level. You may want to have this problem taken care of before planning any long trips.

>This was my first analysis on this engine.

It was always low on coolant. It finally dawned on me to have it checked for an internal leak.

Once again, the cost of analysis is SO SMALL when compared to the
consequences of complacency.


Mark

[ February 17, 2003, 10:19 PM: Message edited by: rugerman1 ]

 

[joee12]

Mark, how many total miles does your truck have??-Joe

 

[rugerman1]

joee12 ,
Thanks, I fixed it.

Mark

 

[Al]

I guess your warranty is out

. I'd still go to the dealer and raise Holly He**. Can't hurt. You are right though this cost for an analysis is chump change when looking at the big picture.

 

[buster]

How low was the coolant and did you fill it up? I just had a sample taken and it came back saying I had .25% antifreeze. I took it to the dealer and let them run a pressure test. My coolant never moves so I don't think I have a leak. The dealer found nothing. I'd run a pressure test to see what is going on.

 

[MV Oil Fanatic]

quote:

---

Originally posted by buster:
How low was the coolant and did you fill it up? I just had a sample taken and it came back saying I had .25% antifreeze. I took it to the dealer and let them run a pressure test. My coolant never moves so I don't think I have a leak. The dealer found nothing. I'd run a pressure test to see what is going on.

---

I don't trust dealers especially when they're faced with honouring the warranty. Unless something is ostensibly obvious, dealers (unless yours is a higher-end vehicle like Mercedes, Lexus, BMW etc.) are often the first to deny there's a problem and would prefer that the warranty run out before the full-fledged anomaly manifests itself. So beware, Keaton! I think you said you have a Toyota? As you probably know, the T-boys took a hit with the certain engine sludge problems, replacing engines etc., and although theirs is a reputable, reliable product, they would prefer to stretch a minor manifestation (like a-freeze in your oil) past the warranty date rather than admit. If I were you, I'd keep strict records of your enquiries and service visits so you can go back to the dealer with valid evidence in the evident of a bigger problem later on down the road. Sounds to me that you might be developing the fetal stages of a head gasket problem which, if you are vigilant, may not get any worse. Then again, gaskets once they start going- can sometimes go fast especially if, as you say, are putting hard, long miles on your vehicle. One more reason why one should be consistent with the type of oil used in an engine versus changing and mixing brands, IMHO.

 

[Terry]

Buster don't forget your sample was contaminated and tricked the reagent test for coolant. "TIDE" and oil are not a good mix !

This Dodge is more than likely not a false positive.

Of course

neither was yours ! Just not coolant

 

[buster]

True and thanks. My car is well out of warranty. I have 110k miles on a 2001 Corolla. The only reason I bought it is bc of the high mileage I'm currently putting on. It's not the car I want, but it is built well and can take the beating so I'm hoping it holds up. I won't buy a car I really like until I can cut down on miles.

I'm not sure if it really matters that you stay with one oil or not...IMO.

 

[Jay]

Why do you idle your engine warm? I wonder how much of the extra wear is from that bad practice.

 

[rugerman1]

Jay ,
>Middle of winter(0-30 degrees)
>Ice on all glass
>Hate riding in a cold vehicle
>Your breath can cause ice to build-up on the INSIDE!
BTW,abnormal wear was from coolant leak not the warm-up

Mark