2001 Ram 1550, QC, Sport, Off-Road, 360, Auto

So guys, for the past few months every time I start the truck up I can hear fluid rushing under the dash.
The heater core doesn't seem to be leaking, there's no coolant in the cab or leaking in front of the firewall that I can see, the coolant is nearly topped off. It sounds like the heater core is draining when the engine isn't running (or even at idle sometimes) and the coolant rushes back in and refills it when the RPMs rise.

I talked to my mechanic about it and he used to own a 2nd gen ram and he said his did the same thing. He spent an entire afternoon once trying to flush and bleed the system to no avail, said he even tried again a few months later...

Ever heard of such a thing? It's really kinda bugging me!

 

I think quite a few people have had that problem, its usually low coolant [&:] How do you top it off? When its cool take the lid off the rad and start the truck up. Let is warm up for 5-10 mins until the thermo opens up. Rev the engine and you'll be able to see the coolant keep going down. Keep adding it like that.

Just have to make sure the engine is warm and the thermo is open when topping the system off.

 

air in the heater core

 

the way the coolant system uses the coolant thats in the resevior is by a vacume... the vacume creates a suction in the coolant system and starts to suck coolant out of the resevior to filll itself up when it needs it... a bad rad cap (busted if you dropped it etc) wont let the coolant get sucked out of the resevior properly and fill itself up... or if that little tube that comes off the neck of the filler has a leak in it or not a good seal .. it wont let the vacume work properlly either...

 

I'm havin the same sound...i tried describing it in an earlier thread, kinda sounds like ice water circulating. I'll check my radiator cap and coolant level. Thanks.

 

Don't forget that your A/C compressor cycles even though you aren't using it.
This keeps the oil moving through the system and prevents leaks by keeping the o-rings lubed up.
The noise you are hearing is most likely the r-134 gas still moving through the system.

 

I just wanted to say I like your truck. Nice ride.

 

Not to mention the Fiero. I'm a GTO guy myself. I have two 1971's but love the Fiero's. 2m6?

 

Would like to second that. Truck looks nice.

And as far as the coment, "Yes, it does suck that she has a bigger one!!!" Here is my wifes toy, smokes all mine but the bike.


[IMG]local://upfiles/29187/62EBA2842C0F442E8F602BA205B20361.jpg[/IMG]

 

i've been noticing that problem too on my 2001... i have a 5 speed. when you start it you gotta hold in the clutch and i only hear that noise when i letted up on the clutch. sounds like water running threw a hose. it must be the engine sucking in the coolant or something i have no idea