I was maneuvering my truck back and forth to get it the bed lined up for my 5th wheel hitch which was hanging from a hoist. It was 92deg outside. When I finished the job about 30min later and pulled away, I noticed some greenish, slightly oily puddles on the ground. I crawled underneath and there was some dripping coming down between the radiator and the engine block. I ran over to the dealer because they had just worked on the truck (diff and transfer case oil changes) a few days ago. Anyway, this appears to be unrelated. One of the techs crawled under and thought it was probably coolant dripping from the water pump. My problem with that is that I thought the coolant was supposed to be orange/pink. Mine is a fairly early build 04.5. It has never been changed and I bought it new. Could the coolant in mine be green? I didn't think to check the reservoir. I took the tech at his word. They're gonna pressure test it tomorrow and give me the diagnosis. It can't be engine oil (too clean - LOL). I thought about the tranny cooler line, but isn't that red?

Diesel fuel was my only other thought. But, it sure didn't smell like it. Any thoughts?

 

If its green it would have to be antifreeze/coolant.
Red= transmission
Yellow= diesel
Dark brown or black= oil
Orange or green= coolant

Most likely water pump weep hole. If you bought the truck used the previous owner might have used the wrong coolant.

 

Does the ac work?

 

Oil from ac's are usually a neutral or yellowish color if thats where you're headed.

 

It was, I have never worked on american AC only Euros, and it is a bright green almost like coolant.

 

It's most likely died to help find leaks, this could be a possibility I don't know if Dodge does this or not.

I do have to apologize to you NJMurvin for hijacking your thread.

 

I bought it new. Only 58k on it. Coolant has never been changed. The manual says to change at 100k if that makes any difference. Yes, the AC was working. It's not bright green. But it did seem kind of oily for coolant. Didn't know AC had oil in it. This was a pretty hot day and AC was working. Well, dealer has it and I should know tomorrow.

 

Have a look in the coolant reservoir and see what color your coolant is.

HOAT is suppose to be clearish-orangish-reddish. If your coolant is green, it isn't HOAT.

 

My 04.5 came with HOAT and I would guess yours should have as well. Makes you wonder if somebody put the wrong stuff in there. Do check the weep hole though, you may have another problem.

 

Well, if someone put the wrong stuff in there, it was the factory - it has never been changed (unless they did it without my knowledge - highly unlikely). The only non-routine maintenance (oil/filters/trans/diffs, etc.) that I've done are the front brakes.

I can't check the reservoir because the dealer has the truck. I'm thinking now it might be the AC as someone above suggested or the possibility of fuel ... although didn't smell like it. A tech who happened to be standing around there crawled under to look but I don't think he was a diesel mechanic (he asked the service writer what color the trans fluid is). He may not know diesel fuel when he sees it. I only know it from how it drains my wallet. Seriously, I didn't smell it but then I wasn't suspecting fuel at the time either.

 

Dealer says the fluid was reddish and that indeed the water pump needs replacing. Could've sworn that it was greenish when I looked at it. Oh well, water pump goes in on Tuesday.

 

Well, at least you know. Better now than on the road somewhere.
Stinks that you have to wait until after the holiday.

 

Boy the heats really getting to you boys out in CA, mixing up your colors!

Glad the problem was found though. Take care of it before you get out on the road.

 

Green is definately anti freeze.

Mine is green and has been since I changed it 2 years ago and about 400,000 miles.

There are mixes available for diesels and you do not have to use the mopar stuff.

You can get the pump at napa or others for alot less than the dealer.

Real easy to change.

 

Just an FYI, the water pump is covered by the Cummins engine warranty. I learned that when mine went out. Depending on the purchase date of your truck there is a chance it might fall under that coverage. If you're just out of date, push the dealer a little and they might get it through.