Quick answer. The owner of this 2022 Ram 5500 said a radiator hose was leaking. Our tech went to the truck in Norco and found the hose had come off its fitting. There was no clamp on it. A new hose clamp and fresh coolant are on the bill. The line items come to $540.54.
Key Points
- The complaint was a leaking radiator hose on a 2022 Ram 5500.
- The tech found the hose had come off, with no clamp holding it on.
- The line items list two hours of hose labor, six units of 50/50 coolant and one clamp.
- No new hose is on the bill. The fix was the clamp and the coolant.
- Coolant on the ground is a poison risk for pets, so a leak is worth fixing fast.
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What the Owner Told Us
The first call came in and nobody picked up. That happens. The details came in by text instead.
The owner said the radiator hose on their 2022 Ram 5500 was leaking. The truck was parked in Norco. So our tech drove to it.
What Our Tech Found
The record says it in five words. Hose disconnect, no clamp.
The hose had come off the part it connects to. And there was no clamp on it to hold it there. A coolant hose with no clamp is only held on by how tight the rubber fits. Hot coolant under pressure can push it off.
The first draft of the quote was built from the text alone. It guessed both the upper and lower hoses would need to be replaced, since that is common when one hose leaks. It also said the price would be lower if only one hose was bad. Once the tech saw the truck, the answer was smaller than that.
What Was Done
A new radiator hose clamp went on. The cooling system got six units of 50/50 premix coolant to replace what leaked out. There is no new hose on the bill.
What It Cost
Here are the line items on this job. Two hours of radiator hose labor at $150 an hour is $300. Six units of 50/50 coolant at $38.09 each is $228.54. One radiator hose clamp is $12. That comes to $540.54.
Notice where the money went. More of it went to coolant than you might think. A big truck holds a lot of it, and what leaks out has to go back in.
2022 Ram 5500, Norco, November 13
Came in with: a leaking radiator hose.
The tech found: the hose had come off, and there was no clamp on it.
What was done: a new hose clamp and 50/50 coolant. No new hose.
The line items: $300 labor, $228.54 coolant, $12 clamp. $540.54 total.
The missed call, the text, the draft quote and the tech's finding all sit in one job in Shop Desk. Our San Jacinto shop built it, and any mechanic can use it free.
Why a Small Clamp Matters
This part is general. It is not what happened to this truck.
A trade magazine for truck fleets opened a story on clamps with an old line. For want of a clamp, the coolant is lost. For want of coolant, the engine is lost (FleetOwner). The same story quotes an expert who says constant tension clamps have the squeeze built in (FleetOwner). That is the whole job of a clamp. It keeps the hose tight when the engine heats up and cools down.
Most coolant is made with ethylene glycol. The federal toxic substances agency says it has a sweet taste and is used to make antifreeze. It says large amounts can damage the kidneys, nervous system, lungs and heart (ATSDR). It also tells people not to spill or drain antifreeze on the ground, so kids do not play in a puddle of it (ATSDR ToxFAQs).
Pets are at risk too. VCA Animal Hospitals says many animals will drink it when it leaks onto garage floors or driveways. It says a tiny amount can cause severe poisoning (VCA). Pet Poison Helpline says to call your vet or the helpline right away if you think a pet drank antifreeze (Pet Poison Helpline). So a hose leak in the yard is more than a mess.
One more check. NHTSA lists recalls for certain 2022 Ram 5500 trucks. Most cover trucks with the 6.7 liter Cummins diesel, for a relay short, an engine computer flaw and a heater grid relay. Another covers a steering column module that may stop the driver air bag from working. None of them is for radiator hoses. The job record does not show whether any of them applies to this truck, or if it was done. Put your VIN into NHTSA's 2022 Ram 5500 page to see what is open on yours. You can also look up a single campaign, like the air bag recall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a radiator hose leak just be a loose or missing clamp?
Yes. On this truck the hose had come off, and there was no clamp on it. A new clamp and coolant fixed it, with no new hose on the bill.
Do I need to replace both radiator hoses if one leaks?
Not always. Our draft quote guessed both, since that is common. The tech looked first and found only a missing clamp.
Can a mobile mechanic fix a coolant leak on a big work truck?
Yes. Our tech fixed this 2022 Ram 5500 where it was parked in Norco.
Why was the coolant such a big part of the bill?
The line items show six units of 50/50 coolant. A big truck holds a lot, and what leaks out has to be put back.
Is leaking coolant dangerous?
It can be. Most coolant is ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet and is toxic to people and pets. Clean up spills and fix the leak.
What We Read
- FleetOwner, For Want of a Clamp
- ATSDR, ToxFAQs for Ethylene Glycol
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Ethylene Glycol Poisoning in Dogs
- Pet Poison Helpline, Antifreeze
- NHTSA, 2022 Ram 5500 Recalls and Complaints
Supercanic tip: Before you buy two new hoses, have someone look at the clamps. A leak at the end of a hose is often the clamp. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Coolant on the Ground? We Come to You.
Text us your truck and where it is. Our tech finds the leak before anything gets sold.
