Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 345

7 - 10 COOLING
COOLING (Continued)
CONDITION
PRESSURE CAP IS
BLOWING OFF STEAM
AND/OR COOLANT TO
COOLANT TANK.
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE READING MAY
BE ABOVE NORMAL
BUT NOT HIGH.
COOLANT LEVEL MAY
BE HIGH IN COOLANT
RESERVE/OVERFLOW
TANK
COOLANT LOSS TO
THE GROUND
WITHOUT PRESSURE
CAP BLOWOFF.
GAUGE READING
HIGH OR HOT
DETONATION OR
PRE-IGNITION (NOT
CAUSED BY IGNITION
SYSTEM). GAUGE MAY
OR MAY NOT BE
READING HIGH
HOSE OR HOSES
COLLAPSE WHILE
ENGINE IS RUNNING
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Pressure relief valve in radiator cap is
defective.
1. Coolant leaks in radiator, cooling
system hoses, water pump or engine.
1. Engine overheating.
2. Freeze point of coolant not correct.
Mixture is too rich or too lean.
1. Vacuum created in cooling system on
engine cool-down is not being relieved
through coolant reserve/overflow system.
CORRECTION
1. Check condition of radiator cap and
cap seals. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ENGINE/RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). Replace
cap as necessary.
1. Pressure test and repair as necessary.
(Refer to 7 - COOLING - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING).
1. Check reason for overheating and
repair as necessary.
2. Check coolant concentration. (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID
TYPES - DESCRIPTION).
1. (a) Radiator cap relief valve stuck.
(Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/
RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). Replace if
necessary
(b) Hose between coolant reserve/
overflow tank and radiator is kinked.
Repair as necessary.
(c) Vent at coolant reserve/overflow tank
is plugged. Clean vent and repair as
necessary.
(d) Reserve/overflow tank is internally
blocked or plugged. Check for blockage
and repair as necessary.
BR/BE