My 2001 RAM 2500, V8, 5.9L
has a major leak at the Steering Oil Cooler. It could leak almost the entire thing of fluid from just driving 10 miles.

Can I just bypass the cooler and connect the hoses together? I don't see any harm in doing that since I don't really tow anything. I plow in the winter but just my own driveway and I figure the winter cold will keep just about everything cool. I also see many other light trucks and even Jeeps with plows and I know they don't have a Steering oil cooler and they seem to do fine.

Anything thoughts?

 

I would say, as a quick fix you could eliminate the cooler, but make plans to ge a new one. It was installed from the factory for a reason, best be would be to leave it on for fear of premature PS pump failure or steering gear wear.

I am by no means a power steering expert though. Others will chime in.

 

as a temporary fix, yes it would be ok to bypass them. but like audio said, dont plan on leaving it off for long. when fluid goes through a pump, friction heats the fluid up...without a way to cool it, your pump could fail all together and you'd be worse off then where you started. they really aren't that hard to replace...you'd probably spend just as much time splicing lines together than replacing it. lol

 

I guess u missed the ice road truck where he guy lost his tensor pull and his truck over heated in -40 below.

 

i honestly wish i could interpret what you just blabbered out.

 

I guess u missed the ice road truck where he guy lost his tensor pull and his truck over heated in -40 below.

TRANSLATION- I would surmise you missed a recent episode of the History Channel series "Ice Road Truckers". In this particular episode a truck driver, had the belt tensioner fail on his truck. Given it was Alaska, in winter, the temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit . But the truck overheated even in such cold tempuatures.



(hope that helped)

 

Thank you. Not only for translating, but translating in proper English.

 

My question is, most RAM 1500 or even 2500 don't have a steering cooler and many people plow without one of these installed. I know for my truck, it came with the heavy duty package which included this steering oil cooler but like I mentioned, I don't really tow or carry anything heavy. I will likely replace it but am just curious to hear if you guys truly think this is needed or if someone out there plow with their RAM that does not have a steering oil cooler. Thanks guys.

 

I'm not sure, but the P/S pumps might be different between the years. I don't have a heavy duty package either and I still have one. Even so, just to be safe and to prevent any possible further problems down the road, I would change it. I am a little curious about this as well. If anyone chimes in that doesn't have a power steering oil cooler, I would like to know the part # of the pump. Maybe cross reference them.

 

I know my 1500 has one. I would say run it for now but fix it before u plow. Tht blade blocks a fair amount of air so you might not need it. But than agin its not like its a bad thing to have one.