Ram 1500 Won't start after Overheating

Asked by toperry Feb 27, 2013 at 09:27 PM about the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My Dodge Ram 1500 overheated and now won't start.  When replacing the thermostat we discovered there was no water in the block and the water in the radiator hose smelled burnt.  Truck rolls over and acts like it wants to start but it only makes a high pitched whining noise.  Any suggestions?

7 Answers

someone cooked this engine...with any luck the head is okay and doesn't leak, the waterjacket is sound and not leaking to the oil jacket and the fluids test okay. high pitched whining noise, like the crank is broken? like the timing chain snapped? like the starter cannot engage as siezed motor. Please do more research or we can't help you.

12 people found this helpful.
24,745

Do a compression check on all cylinders. This will uncover any serious internal damage from overheating, some of which are mentioned above.

2 people found this helpful.
945

do a obd scan on the motor it will come up with random miss fire after that fill thread and crank it over about 20 times but have someone keep a look out under your truck for leaking water especially the exhaust the reason I,m saying this is 2 years ago I blew a lower rad hose and had the same problem the diagnosis was a cracked block at #8 cyl leaking into the exhaust manifold the motor was shot it took me 2 yrs to find a decent motor to put back in the truck

4 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

RAM 1500

Looking for a Used RAM 1500 in your area?

CarGurus has 71 nationwide RAM 1500 listings starting at $4,000.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Dan Connell
    Reputation
    20,270
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    15,290
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    11,760
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
321 Great Deals out of 14,968 listings starting at $1,712
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
202 Great Deals out of 5,975 listings starting at $2,975
Used GMC Sierra 1500
148 Great Deals out of 7,258 listings starting at $3,950
Used Dodge RAM 2500
23 listings starting at $9,975
Used Toyota Tundra
35 Great Deals out of 1,184 listings starting at $8,500
Used Dodge Charger
38 Great Deals out of 645 listings starting at $4,888
Used Toyota Tacoma
55 Great Deals out of 1,071 listings starting at $8,708
Used Dodge Durango
46 Great Deals out of 2,266 listings starting at $5,500
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
16 Great Deals out of 1,285 listings starting at $8,995
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
24 Great Deals out of 1,204 listings starting at $7,995
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
109 Great Deals out of 3,238 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
24 Great Deals out of 911 listings starting at $11,900

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.