2000 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd 5.9l

Truck was parked for 10hrs came out to the truck and notices I had a puddle, check my fluids and found that my radiator was about empty, filled it then went it on my merry way. Now it's been a a couple days and the issue hasn't come back up. But been checking it daily and I'm not over heating but I've noticed that my upper hose is hot and my lower hose is warm and my radiator cap is stone cold that I'm able to touch with no problem. I've noticed that I have some kind of leak detection down the side of my oil pan. Im not sure if my water pump or thermostat is shot. Any one have any ideas?

 

Does your truck maintain the correct operating temp while driving?

 

it does, doesn't run cold when driving and doesn't raise

 

In that case, I wouldn't worry about it overmuch. If the temp is correct, and stable, it's all good.

 

Thats what I'm thinking is that im putting to much thought into a no problem case, but what has me concerned is that it dumped out a half gallon and for what reason it did it for.

 

That one is a puzzler..... Any idea just WHERE it puked it from?

 

Upper hose hot is good sign as your t-stat is opening and lower hose warm is normal as it is the return coolant.

By why in the world is your cap cold to the touch. It should peel your skin off if up to temperature. Sounds like radiator issues to me: maybe a crack in the plastic side. You did drop coolant from somewhere and you're wise to be vigilant.

 

It might be the weep hole on the water pump cause it was dead nuts center of the motor.

maybe the radiator, not sure when it was properly cleaned or replaced. Maybe a thought that a plugged radiator might cause it to blow out the weep hole?

 

If the water pump is leaking, that means the seals in it have died, and its time for a replacement.