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2019 3500 - Coolant Levels

Cummingeddon

Cummingeddon

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Has anyone else seen a drop in their coolant level since delivery of their 2019 3500? I have those blue marks all around the truck indicating factory fluid levels, cap and bolt positions, etc. There is one of those factory blue lines on my coolant reservoir where the coolant level was when delivered - just above the MAX line - and where it remained until about 9.9k miles. At about that 9.9k mile mark I noticed that when the truck is completely cooled down, the coolant level is now just above the MIN level.

Coolant’s still within the recommended level, but I’m wondering if this is normal to see a change in coolant level in the reservoir like that within the first 10,000 miles, or if it’s a sign I need to top up and look out for a leak somewhere. For background, at about 7,500 miles we started towing our 20k lbs. fifth wheel regularly. I have not seen any low coolant lights or any elevated temperatures. Oil analysis doesn’t show any elevated metals other than some potassium, but that Fleetguard says is only slightly elevated and within what’s expected for a new engine. Fleetguard’s convinced that there’d be other metals showing up along with the potassium if coolant were the source.

Thanks.
 
it dropped after about 5k miles. i tow sporadically but do a bunch of road trips. temps always in check and the dealer hasn't mentioned it the two times it's been in, so I'm not worried about it. the level has stayed consistent since.
 
Since the thread is about coolant levels and potential loss, has anyone else noticed a coolant smell in their new truck? Over 1K miles now and I still catch a whiff occasionally.
 
I have not had any coolant smell at all. I think I rolled 17k last week coming back from monarch.
 
No coolant smell. I have topped up the coolant bottle a couple times. Closing in on 20K miles, temps always in check.
 
Down a bit after 12K kms of which, 6k kms was towing. Still above the min line, though and no leaks or smell. This is a common refrain for FCA vehicles using the 10-year OAT coolant, which FCA began using in 2013. Evaporation? Had to top off the boss' 16 Dodge GC this spring. Again, no leaks or smell. The level in the recovery bottle just kept going down, little by little.
 
On a 2K+ mile trip from Vegas to Kentucky and back, I noticed today the coolant reservoir was low and I couldn't see it in the bottle. No warnings, I was just checking over the truck while stopped and idling at a rest stop. I want to add distilled water in the morning until I can get my dealer to look at it. Will this hurt the coolant system?
 
I just went out and checked, and could see better with a flash light, Its just under the low mark with the system cooling down. I opened the cap and it raised just above the low mark. I did check the manual and I found nothing about checking the level. If my memory serves me correctly, you should fill to the middle of the Low and High mark when cold, is that correct?
 
Mine is also on the minimum line after 3000 miles. Top up with plain distilled water, or?
 
I imagine the loss is just the system still having some air and it getting bled out…. Top it off with antifreeze of the proper mixture for your climate zone (usually 50/50 we do 60/40 here as temps can surpas -45*C)
 
Thanks for all your responses, the level is good enough to make the last leg home, Galop NM to Las Vegas NV. I'll check it with the dealer and pick up the proper Antifreeze. I'm surprised there is no info in the owners manual on the level check, either hot or cold for the proper level.
 
RVTRKN said:
Thanks for all your responses, the level is good enough to make the last leg home, Galop NM to Las Vegas NV. I'll check it with the dealer and pick up the proper Antifreeze. I'm surprised there is no info in the owners manual on the level check, either hot or cold for the proper level.
Click to expand...
The level on the tank is cold level and really aslong as there is some in the tank cold its good enough to get home
 
Just now noticed my 2019 3500 Cummins expansion tank is at the low level (35K miles) and owners manual says to use OAT coolant meeting MS90032 spec.
Another source says to use coolant meeting MS-12106 spec. Any suggestions on where I would check to see if they are equivalent? Also noticed that the
expansion tank cap would not come off after several turns. I know this sounds stupid but Is it normal to have to force it off?
 
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