I have a 03 5.7 Ram with 97750 miles on it. Need some help whether anyone has come across this. Recently I had to put in a new radiator and thermostat with new housing because it was leaking from there. Now, I have small amount of coolant coming from between the bottom of the power steering pump where it is mounted to the bottom front cover. Doesn't look like the water pump itself. Can't seem to find the leak anywhere. Second, is there something for the tranny to increase the throttle response when trying to engage the power shift when trying to pass slow cars, it lacks so much compared to new. Changed the oil and filter and didn't help at all.

 

Cant help you about the leak but my superchips programmer livened up the WOT downshifts as well as brought the rev limiter up to 5800 instead of 5600. When you pass do you get on the gasslowly or hammer it down the latter I find really makes it kick down a gear lots faster.

 

sounds like youve got all the bases covered. also sounds like a truck i got at work. t-stat and w/p are dry. pressure test, after 10 minutes, it starts to seep from the lower left of timing cover (same spot as you?). wierd thing is, coolant isnt supposed to be around that low in the cover. found some dried coolant spots behind the p/s pump, but no wet or seeping. hes under warranty, so ill reseal the cover, and report back.

 

I changed my trans fluid and filter because the truck was lagging on take offs pretty bad, and after the service its much better, but i dont have nearlyas much miles as you.

 

yeah a programmer will fix your throttle response and shift firmness. the problem is the trannys 2nd prime gear (you have 2 2nd gears)... also with 97000 miles you shoul dhave done the differantial fluid change at least twice and a tranny flush too. if you have DO THAT.

 

oh yeah sorry i cannot reallyhelp with the coolant. sound slike you have covered everywhere the coolant can come from and cannot find anything. maybe pressure test it

 

Have you ever adjusted the front(kick down) band? It should be done every 100,000miles and since you are rather close I'd do it especially since you seem to be having problems. The only thing that sucks it that you should do the rear(low-reverse) band at the same time and you have to remove the pan so that means new trany oil unless you are really good and keep it clean but i wouldn't take the chance i'd just replace it when I adjusted the bands.

 

Thx all,, I'll keep trying on the coolant leak and see what comes up. Radiator shop has come across only one other truck with the similiar problem and had them puzzled as well, weird. As far as the tranny, same goes there.

 

Ever find out what the leak was? My truck recently has had the overflow showing low on fluid, but no leaks after a pressure test , and no visible leaks anywhere. My mechanic and I are stumped

 

To dated, I have yet to find anything and seems it has stopped. So who knows. Just hope it doesn't come back to haunt me...Maybe my truck is possessed.. Will be an eye open....