Dripping Coolant

[pj96ss]

Well, I try to start the car every so often in the winter and the other day after firing her up and backing out onto the driveway, I noticed anti-freeze in the drip tray on the lift. Noticed just a tiny sweet smell but couldn't see or feel anything (even after I put it back up on the lift). I was hoping that the coolant in the drip pan was from something else I had worked on. I just came back in from the garage and saw coolant on my daily drivers hood (since I forgot to slide the drip tray forward). So, I have a slight coolant leak. Just a little over 3K miles on the car. From where it hit the hood of my daily driver underneath of her, it looks to be from the front drivers side. I've searched posts and haven't seen much from the Gen V's. I bought the car brand new almost 3 years ago. I'm in Columbus, Ohio. My neighbor is a manager for a Dodge dealer and is looking into techs and issues.

Frustrating!!!!!

[01sapphirebob]

Well, I try to start the car every so often in the winter and the other day after firing her up and backing out onto the driveway, I noticed anti-freeze in the drip tray on the lift. Noticed just a tiny sweet smell but couldn't see or feel anything (even after I put it back up on the lift). I was hoping that the coolant in the drip pan was from something else I had worked on. I just came back in from the garage and saw coolant on my daily drivers hood (since I forgot to slide the drip tray forward). So, I have a slight coolant leak. Just a little over 3K miles on the car. From where it hit the hood of my daily driver underneath of her, it looks to be from the front drivers side. I've searched posts and haven't seen much from the Gen V's. I bought the car brand new almost 3 years ago. I'm in Columbus, Ohio. My neighbor is a manager for a Dodge dealer and is looking into techs and issues.

Frustrating!!!!!

A question for you. Do you by chance have headers on your car? The reason I ask is because on my GEN IV I had headers installed. The following spring when I got my car out of storage I noticed a coolant leak. After asking for some advice/suggestions I had come to find out that SOME cars that had headers installed could develop a coolant leak on the passenger side. Thats where all the heater hose plumbing is and those hoses can get pushed and pulled on quite a bit during the install. The leak only showed itself during the colder months because the hoses would contract enough to let some coolant slip out. Never found a drop of coolant at any other time. I even did pressure tests and couldn't recreate the leak. Not saying that this is what you have but it's a place to start. :)

[01sapphirebob]

https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/2554-Fluid-leak-Need-help-advice?highlight=coolant+leak

For reference...

[pj96ss]

Thanks. My 2017 is bone stock and pampered.

[AZTVR]

Well, there are two cars, 2016 and 2017, reported with leaking coolant in the following thread: Crap. Antifreeze aint supposed to be there (https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/23126-Crap-Antifreeze-aint-supposed-to-be-there/)

[ViperSRT]

I had it also. From the front of the left cylinder head. Whoever built my engine missed tightening all of the M6 head bolts on the left bank. It leaks down the front left and to the motor mount. Pink telltale traces.

[SRT BILL]

Well, I try to start the car every so often in the winter and the other day after firing her up and backing out onto the driveway, I noticed anti-freeze in the drip tray on the lift. Noticed just a tiny sweet smell but couldn't see or feel anything (even after I put it back up on the lift). I was hoping that the coolant in the drip pan was from something else I had worked on. I just came back in from the garage and saw coolant on my daily drivers hood (since I forgot to slide the drip tray forward). So, I have a slight coolant leak. Just a little over 3K miles on the car. From where it hit the hood of my daily driver underneath of her, it looks to be from the front drivers side. I've searched posts and haven't seen much from the Gen V's. I bought the car brand new almost 3 years ago. I'm in Columbus, Ohio. My neighbor is a manager for a Dodge dealer and is looking into techs and issues.

Frustrating!!!!!

PJ, what is the color of the liquid you are seeing. is it pink or green??

[camarochevy1970]

if it is front drivers side, and pink, I am betting it is the head bolts issue like a few of us have had now. It's a pretty slow leak, so definitely more of an annoyance than anything. Mine is currently at the dealer getting fixed, hope to get it back this week

[pj96ss]

I'll have to get my daughter to tell me what color it is later today.

[camarochevy1970]

any update?

[pj96ss]

42579
The leak is on the front drivers side
42580
This is directly under the leak

[ViperSRT]

Head gasket. You can see the front M6 fasteners by just removing the decorative head cover (they just pull off). A quick check should confirm if they are loose/finger tight.

[ViperGeorge]

How many cars have had an issue with the head gasket? Is it always the same side? Is it restricted to a certain year or years? Is there a TSB out on this issue?

[Lost me beer]

How many cars have had an issue with the head gasket? Is it always the same side? Is it restricted to a certain year or years? Is there a TSB out on this issue?

Mine is a ‘16 GT drivers side, bone stock with 3,000 miles when it happened last year.
Troy

[Steve M]

I can only assume they use a machine that tightens all of the head bolts at the same time when it is being built, so I'd guess the machine wasn't working correctly, or they didn't have a process in place to check the torque of all the bolts?

[Old School]

I can only assume they use a machine that tightens all of the head bolts at the same time when it is being built, so I'd guess the machine wasn't working correctly, or they didn't have a process in place to check the torque of all the bolts?

The video I saw had a machine that torqued all the bolts at once, but only the larger ones. Don't know about the smaller ones.

[pj96ss]

Dropped the viper off at the dealer last night and they should have started to look at it this morning. I'll post pics tomorrow when my neighbor (Dodge Dealer) goes into work and sends me some.

[SRT BILL]

PJ any updates to this yet?

[pj96ss]

I picked up my ACR a few days ago. They replaced the driver side head gasket. I've driven it a few times since picking her up and monitoring for any leaks. Just need to clean up the bottom of the car where coolant dripped. Hopefully she is good to go.

[Toxic]

Bone stock 2017 with leak in Dec 2018 at front of driver's side head gasket at 3,000 miles. Replaced without further problems on the driver's side.

April 2019 had to replace the passenger side head gasket for the same problem at 4,500 miles. Neither side has leaked since. Car currently has just over 5,000 miles on it.