Hey guys - haven't posted much here in a while because my '06 has been trouble free.

Unfortunately, I think I have a thermostat that is kaput.

Truck fires up and runs fine, but I noticed the other night that even as coolant temp started to come up - 160ish - still blowing ice cold air through the vent. Usually it's at least a little warm by then. Kept driving, and next time I looked down the temp was 220 and climbing, still blowing cold air! It climbed up fast - could see the needle moving - and then the "Check Gages" bell went off and the temp needle was pegged. Then, poof - air from vents got nice and hot, temp came back down to normal, and it was happy for the remainder of the drive.

My wife just took the kiddos to the library and called and said no heat all the way there.

Sound like a sticky thermostat to you? If so, how easy is it to get to? I've owned a Ram continuously for the last 8 years and never yet had to work on the motor.

 

sounds like it could be a sticking thermostat, i know its a bumb question, but is the coolant level correct? also get a look at the belt system and the water pump

 

Nah, it's not a dumb question. It got dark on me tonight before I could have a look at it, but first thing in the AM I'm going to check coolant. I've never seen it leak, but I haven't checked it in a loooooong time either.

Thanks!

 

I bet you have low coolant level. If the thermostat was sticking closed you would still have heat, because the coolant comes from the head to the heater core regardless of thermostat function. Also the '06 trucks have a problem with the little hose behind the turbo leaking once the weather cools off. From the symptoms you have described, you coolant got low enough to let an air bubble get into the cooling system. Let the engine get completely cold, check the level in the rad, if it is low add 50/50 mix of the appropriate coolant. Then top off the overflow bottle. Run it up to temps, then let it cool off again. It may take several heat up then cool off cycles to get all the air out. Here is a picture of the hose that probably leaks a little bit every night. Tighten the hose clamps on it and it will stop leaking until next fall.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...k/IMG_0619.jpg

 

Been a while, but I forgot to follow up on this. You guys were right, it was low coolant and NickBeek nailed it 100% on the source of the leak.

Thanks for the help - no more leak, no more trouble!

 

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I had the exact same issue as mikahb. It was low coolant. Probably have a small leak but couldn't really look for it as it was snowing. Topped up the antifreeze and everything works perfectly. Probably saved me $500 instead of going to the dealer.