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2017 R/T - any known issues for slow coolant leak?

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jc598g

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a very slow coolant leak - no immediate evidence on garage floor or based on quick visual inspection of hoses and radiator. The only signs of the leak are the smell of coolant after turning off truck and a very slow drop in the overflow tank level. Actually, I believe this leak has existed in some form since I purchased the truck with 11K miles as I've always thought I had detected a faint smell of coolant, but has only worsened to a visible overflow drop recently. The truck now has 46K miles.

Any known issues or TSBs that I should know about before bringing to the dealer next week?

Thanks in advance,
James
 
#4 ·
X 2 on the water pump being a likely candidate. Hopefully, the issue falls under your powertrain warranty since you are beyond 36K.

Don
 
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#5 ·
I had almost the identical issue on my 2015 R/T - 68K miles. I would smell coolant and very occasionally have some drips on the ground, and the overflow tank would disappear.

I suspected water pump as well, but took it to the dealer and they determined the radiator had a leak and replaced it under my MaxCare warranty.

Hope you can ge yours sorted out!

Chris
 
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#7 ·
Noticed the coolant smell on my '17 R/T at 19K miles. Had Durango towed in and was told the water pump had failed and it was replaced under warranty.

At 23K miles, I noticed the coolant was low. There was also a very faint coolant/burning smell. Had it towed in and was told the radiator had a very slight crack in it and was replaced under warranty.

With the water pump I could see coolant on the other engine components. When the radiator was leaking, I didn't see any coolant. My guess is that it was a small enough crack that the leaking wasn't easy to see.
 
Discussion starter · #9 · (Edited)
Dealer just checked the vehicle and informed me that the left tank on the radiator is cracked. Estimated replacement cost is about $1,300 - $600 for the radiator and the balance for the labor which is apparently a 6 hour drop and involves disassembling the nose of the truck. Needless to say I almost fell off my chair when I heard this.

Do I have any shot at getting this covered by Dodge? The truck was delivered in May 2017 which is less than 3 years old, but has 46K miles. A crack in the radiator seems like a manufacturing defect as the truck has never been in an accident. Is there corporate number I can call to complain? Any advice here?

What causes a radiator to "crack", especially at this mileage? Manufacturing defect or some operational issue? The truck has never been in an accident or overheated.

If I wind up paying for the repair, is $1,300 reasonable or am I getting fleeced?

Thanks
James
 
#10 ·
Yes, you can call Chrysler and ask for a goodwill repair. Explain the issue, disappointment and ask them for help. You have to ask for help....not just complain. That is the key. You might have to pay a small fee...$250 or so, but a lot less than $1,300.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks for the tip on the goodwill repair. I called Chrysler and explained the issue - they opened a case and indicated that someone will follow up within a day or so. Fingers crossed that they will stand behind the vehicle...

The service advisor at the dealer indicated that 3.6L models typically have radiator problems and R/T Hemis have water pump failure.
 
#12 ·
Looks like you can buy the factory OEM HD radiator for $328 on-line from a Mopar dealer. Rockauto has HD radiators starting at $67. Not sure I'd put another OEM one in with that short a service life.
Charging $1,000 for labor to swap out is INSANE.

Get a quote from a local repair facility IF you have to come out of pocket.
I'm sure you can get it towed somewhere else and still be way ahead of the dealer price.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Thanks Chase. The dealer told me that the radiator part is about $600 - assume this is the "MSRP" price? Can they actually inflate the part cost over MSRP?

For labor, they claim it's a 6 hour job and involves disassembling the nose of the vehicle. Can anyone familiar with the job comment on this?

Also, they claim that the $1,300 total cost includes a 10% discount given that I purchased the vehicle there - so apparently I should feel good about this price :)
 
#14 ·
I found the same as Chase 300. Mopar on-line is showing $325.96. I see aftermarket from CSF, Crown, OSC, Spectra and Sherman priced from $135-$365.
 
#15 ·
Like I said, find an independent shop.
The dealer should be fighting FCA with you to pick up the tab. They can get on the phone for you, tell FCA you're a good customer and need some help with the bill.
I would not give them business otherwise, I'd have it towed out of there.
 
#17 ·
jc598g said:
Thanks Chase. The dealer told me that the radiator part is about $600 - assume this is the "MSRP" price? Can they actually inflate the part cost over MSRP?

For labor, they claim it's a 6 hour job and involves disassembling the nose of the vehicle. Can anyone familiar with the job comment on this?

Also, they claim that the $1,300 total cost includes a 10% discount given that I purchased the vehicle there - so apparently I should feel good about this price :)
Click to expand...
Radiator list price is $469. Not $600 and they should not be up-charging over list price.
I'm sure they are going to charge you for new hoses, probably a thermostat, coolant and then of course there's the misc. shop fee. What I always want to know is if they are using distilled water to mix the coolant with to get the 50/50 mix. Today it seems the dealer doesn't want to do a repair job unless its at least $1,000. Its not worth their time otherwise. I use them for warranty, and then punt them to the curb.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
The dealer called and indicated that they replaced the radiator, flushed the coolant, and tested for leaks. While testing, they discovered that the fan module is wobbly and cracked and therefore not working properly. They claim that this may be the reason that the radiator developed a crack. Replacement will be another $800-900 which covers the part, they will not charge labor.

If the fan module was wobbling or cracked, shouldn't I have heard some noise from the engine compartment? I've been checking the engine frequently recently while running due to the coolant smell and I did not hear anything. Second, if the fan was not functioning properly - shouldn't I have noticed something abnormal on the temperature gauge or received a check engine light? Something doesn't feel right about all this.

Anyhow, I opened a case with Chrysler and apparently they are going to work with me. Not sure what that means, but hopefully they will offset the bulk of the repair which is now up to $2,200.

Ugh...
 
#19 ·
You are getting fleeced. I JUST did this repair on my 2013 two days ago. It is a PITA but can easily be done without removing the whole front end. You simply remove the cross member. Also DO NOT allow them to charge you 800 dollars for the engine fan. You can get them online for less than 200 buck and they are only attached by a plug and a pin for the plug wire. The fan sits ON the radiator, sliding into some hooks. With two people it's something you could do in 10 minutes with zero skill needed. How nice of them to offer this service free of labor charges (since you have to take off to replace the radiator anyway)...in the mean time they are making another 600 bucks off of you on the part.

I'm a poor mechanic and did the repair myself (as well as the water pump) in about 8 hours total, taking breaks along the way. I had a shop quote me 450 for their labor to install, since I had already purchased the radiator (120 on amazon for heavy duty version).
 
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