YACT - Update: Dodge Ram: Problem or just too Cold?

[theknight571]

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab 2WD

I've noticed the last week or so, since it's been cold (10 - 0 degree lows and highs) that my truck makes this droaning noise when I first start it up.

(You know those toy cars that rev-up when you push them forward so that when you let go they keep gonig... it's that kind of droan)

While I can hear the noise I can also feel a vibration in the stearing wheel.

After the car warms up (10-15 min) the noise and vibration go away when idleing / driving striaght, but I will still hear/feel it when turning.

Sometimes it will go away completely, but othertimes the noise/vibration on the turns will remain.

I'm hopeing it's just the cold, since I really can't afford a trip to the dealer at the moment.

But I'm no expert, and was wondering if anyone might have an idea of what this could be.

Plus even if I end up taking it in.. I'd like to have some idea of what it might be...


P.S. I tried to find a Truck Forum to post on... but they seem to be blocking them (at least the 3 I tried) here at work, so I figured I'd check in with the ATOT car gurus. 🙂


Update:

ATOT Does it Again.

You guys are brilliant. 🙂

Checked PS fluid levels... they don't even register on the dipstick..... that's low. lol

Also noticed a "wet spot" (keep minds out of the gutter now..) directly under the PS fluid reservoir, and it there's a hose attached to the bottom of the reservoir that appears to have fluid on it as well as on the bottom of the reservoir itself... well the parts I can see at least.

So I guess it's off to the dealer... I think I'm still under warranty for a few more miles at least. 🙂

Thanks for everyone's help and input.

 

[franksta]

Loose accessory belt?

http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/forums/

 

[CraigRT]

Check power steering fluid?

 

[iamwiz82]

My 05 Ram makes an odd noise for about 2 seconds on start up when it's this cold. The last three days it has.

I'd say it was odd that you are hearing it until full warm up, though.


EDIT: I should mention that I have a 5.7L, I cannot speak for the 3.7 or 4.7.

EDIT2: Since you have a Ram and are in teh same area, do you notice how stiff the suspension is when it's this cold? It's kind of amusing that it feels like a sports car. :laugh:

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

A lot of vehicles make weird noises only when it's really cold out, as in below zero. My miatas did; my toyota did, and my new truck does. If it only happens when it's really cold out, and goes away as the truck warms up, then it's probably just a cold symptom. TO troubleshoot, can you park the truck in a warm garage overnight? Fire it up in the morning and see if the noise is still there. I would bet it's just acting up because of the outside temp.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The noise sounds like the fan clutch. It's common for them to stick a little bit when you first start the car up but they usually let go shortly after. They'll re-engage if the temp gets over something like 210 to help out the electric fan.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Oh yeah, and DTW (linked above) is a good place to go if you have a Gen 3 Ram. (which you do) If you have a Dakota (like myself) you'll get treated like a Mac user at a LAN party.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The noise sounds like the fan clutch. It's common for them to stick a little bit when you first start the car up but they usually let go shortly after. They'll re-engage if the temp gets over something like 210 to help out the electric fan.

Good call. OP, I'd describe it as more of a roar.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The noise sounds like the fan clutch. It's common for them to stick a little bit when you first start the car up but they usually let go shortly after. They'll re-engage if the temp gets over something like 210 to help out the electric fan.

yea, I think that's it. My Ram does it too and it sounds like a fan.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Oh yeah, and DTW (linked above) is a good place to go if you have a Gen 3 Ram. (which you do) If you have a Dakota (like myself) you'll get treated like a Mac user at a LAN party.

The Dakota was more than my Ram. I actually went in looking for a Dakota.

 

[theknight571]

Originally posted by: franksta
Loose accessory belt?

http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/forums/

Blocked... lol... I can look tonight though.

Originally posted by: CraigRT
Check power steering fluid?

I have not checked that...but I can. Does it have to be warm to check, or can I check it cold?

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
My 05 Ram makes an odd noise for about 2 seconds on start up when it's this cold. The last three days it has.

I'd say it was odd that you are hearing it until full warm up, though.


EDIT: I should mention that I have a 5.7L, I cannot speak for the 3.7 or 4.7.

EDIT2: Since you have a Ram and are in teh same area, do you notice how stiff the suspension is when it's this cold? It's kind of amusing that it feels like a sports car.

The suspension has always seemed stiff to me, I just attributed it to the fact that it's a truck. I sometimes think I'm going to shake myself apart... lol

I have the 4.7 (no Hemi for me 🙁 ).

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
A lot of vehicles make weird noises only when it's really cold out, as in below zero. My miatas did; my toyota did, and my new truck does. If it only happens when it's really cold out, and goes away as the truck warms up, then it's probably just a cold symptom. TO troubleshoot, can you park the truck in a warm garage overnight? Fire it up in the morning and see if the noise is still there. I would bet it's just acting up because of the outside temp.

Unfortunately this isn't really an option for me at the moment... but if I can sucker someone into letting me borrow their garage for the night I'll give it a shot.

 

[theknight571]

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The noise sounds like the fan clutch. It's common for them to stick a little bit when you first start the car up but they usually let go shortly after. They'll re-engage if the temp gets over something like 210 to help out the electric fan.

yea, I think that's it. My Ram does it too and it sounds like a fan.

The part that "bothers" me though is the fact that I will still feel/hear it when turning... even after it has stopped making the noise while "cruising" or just idleing.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: theknight571

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The noise sounds like the fan clutch. It's common for them to stick a little bit when you first start the car up but they usually let go shortly after. They'll re-engage if the temp gets over something like 210 to help out the electric fan.

yea, I think that's it. My Ram does it too and it sounds like a fan.

The part that "bothers" me though is the fact that I will still feel/hear it when turning... even after it has stopped making the noise while "cruising" or just idleing.

The fan continues to spin with the engine. I'm not an expert on the 4.7, but I assume it's either attached to the crankshaft, or the water pump.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: theknight571

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The noise sounds like the fan clutch. It's common for them to stick a little bit when you first start the car up but they usually let go shortly after. They'll re-engage if the temp gets over something like 210 to help out the electric fan.

yea, I think that's it. My Ram does it too and it sounds like a fan.

The part that "bothers" me though is the fact that I will still feel/hear it when turning... even after it has stopped making the noise while "cruising" or just idleing.

The fan continues to spin with the engine. I'm not an expert on the 4.7, but I assume it's either attached to the crankshaft, or the water pump.

Water pump.

Note: there's also an electric fan which does most of the work most of the time.

 

[funboy6942]

The sound you are hearing is caused by the fluid in your PS pump low and or thick because it is cold out side. The noise is caused by air being trapped in the fluid and the pump churning the fluid with the air in it giving you the vibration and the noise you hear.

Either your fluid is to low because of a leak or needs to be replaced because for some reason is too thick at that cold of temp and is causing air bubbles to stay trapped in the fluid as the pump mixes it up and churns it up in the fluid.

In either case air in the fluid causes that noise, will cause that vibration because your losing power for the pump cannot effectively compress air as it does full fluid.

I can tell you with what you have described and the noise and vibration you talk about Im 99% sure its air in the fluid of the PS pump. /Thread.

 

[theknight571]

Originally posted by: funboy42
The sound you are hearing is caused by the fluid in your PS pump low and or thick because it is cold out side. The noise is caused by air being trapped in the fluid and the pump churning the fluid with the air in it giving you the vibration and the noise you hear.

Either your fluid is to low because of a leak or needs to be replaced because for some reason is too thick at that cold of temp and is causing air bubbles to stay trapped in the fluid as the pump mixes it up and churns it up in the fluid.

In either case air in the fluid cause that oise, will cause that vibration because your losing power for the pump cannot effectively compress air as it does full fluid.

I can tell you with what you have described and the noise and vibration you talk about Im 99% sure its air in the fluid of the PS pump. /Thread.

Ok... lunch plans are now to go out and check PS fluid levels.

Do I need to warm up the car first or can I check the level cold?

 

[desy]

Its the PS when its cold the fluid is thick, pump works harder and groans. PS has a high and low temp levels I believe, but your not likely low.
While the engine only needs like 30 secs to be ready to drive your cars secondary systems usually need more, like 5 min before you drive.
Power steering and tranny fluid , its been colder than zero degrees here for the last wk and a half 'Canada' greeted with it every day 🙂
So just give it a little longer to warm up and go gentle for the first few miles and it should be fine.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: theknight571

Originally posted by: funboy42
The sound you are hearing is caused by the fluid in your PS pump low and or thick because it is cold out side. The noise is caused by air being trapped in the fluid and the pump churning the fluid with the air in it giving you the vibration and the noise you hear.

Either your fluid is to low because of a leak or needs to be replaced because for some reason is too thick at that cold of temp and is causing air bubbles to stay trapped in the fluid as the pump mixes it up and churns it up in the fluid.

In either case air in the fluid cause that oise, will cause that vibration because your losing power for the pump cannot effectively compress air as it does full fluid.

I can tell you with what you have described and the noise and vibration you talk about Im 99% sure its air in the fluid of the PS pump. /Thread.

Ok... lunch plans are now to go out and check PS fluid levels.

Do I need to warm up the car first or can I check the level cold?

The dip stick, yes its got one 😉, should have a cold and hot side. Just go by that or wait for it to go to temp. Doesnt really matter just as long as when you pull the stick out it says cold and hot on it. If not then wait for the engine to come to temp then check it. Since I take it you have never added fluid make sure to buy regular PS fluid. I use just ATF tranny fluid, just as good, but I use that on a system that leaks all the time, such as the car i just bought that has a leaky pump. I have to add a 1/4 of a quart of the tranny fluid to my pump every week, not in any big rush in the cold to go fix the car.

But I know that sound, owned many cars since the age of 14 with lots of leaky ps pumps, thats a low ps pump, you most likely have a leak on the low side of the system, if it was the high side the hose would of burst on you by now, or the seal on you pump is bad leaking ever so little. In any case as long as its not the high side and just a small leak I wouldnt worry to much about it unless you still have a warranty on that truck of yours.

It just needs to be slightly low in very cold weather to suck up air into the fluid because of its thickness, so its prolly not even that huge of a leak at all, may really have to look to find it.

 

[jupiter57]

Originally posted by: funboy42
The sound you are hearing is caused by the fluid in your PS pump low and or thick because it is cold out side. The noise is caused by air being trapped in the fluid and the pump churning the fluid with the air in it giving you the vibration and the noise you hear.

Either your fluid is to low because of a leak or needs to be replaced because for some reason is too thick at that cold of temp and is causing air bubbles to stay trapped in the fluid as the pump mixes it up and churns it up in the fluid.

In either case air in the fluid causes that noise, will cause that vibration because your losing power for the pump cannot effectively compress air as it does full fluid.

I can tell you with what you have described and the noise and vibration you talk about Im 99% sure its air in the fluid of the PS pump. /Thread.

On the money, I would bet.
I've had a couple of vehicles over the years that did that, my solution: add some brake fluid to the PS reservoir.
It can only help, as the brake fluid will not only thin out your PS fluid, it will help your O-rings and hoses also, those stop-leak and "Conditioning" additive are most usually just brake fluid anyway.
(You may have to remove a bit of the PS fluid first it it is full, else it blow out all over the engine.)

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: jupiter57

Originally posted by: funboy42
The sound you are hearing is caused by the fluid in your PS pump low and or thick because it is cold out side. The noise is caused by air being trapped in the fluid and the pump churning the fluid with the air in it giving you the vibration and the noise you hear.

Either your fluid is to low because of a leak or needs to be replaced because for some reason is too thick at that cold of temp and is causing air bubbles to stay trapped in the fluid as the pump mixes it up and churns it up in the fluid.

In either case air in the fluid causes that noise, will cause that vibration because your losing power for the pump cannot effectively compress air as it does full fluid.

I can tell you with what you have described and the noise and vibration you talk about Im 99% sure its air in the fluid of the PS pump. /Thread.

On the money, I would bet.
I've had a couple of vehicles over the years that did that, my solution: add some brake fluid to the PS reservoir.
It can only help, as the brake fluid will not only thin out your PS fluid, it will help your O-rings and hoses also, those stop-leak and "Conditioning" additive are most usually just brake fluid anyway.
(You may have to remove a bit of the PS fluid first it it is full, else it blow out all over the engine.)

If he plans on pitching the car or selling it then yeah do this but I advise not to because the break fluid what it does is it swells rubber, anything rubber, gaskets, hoses, you name it, if its rubber its gonna swell. After time it will also be eaten away, hoses from the inside out, and then you talking a complete change of every part and ALL fluid to get every drop out of the system. Granted this may take a few years depending on how much brake fluid to ps fluid you use but if its just a little ass leak your better of replacing the part thats leaking and not using any fluid stop leak what so ever for anything on the car at all. In most case they do work, but in the long run they will cause more harm and you will end up more out of pocket replacing all the swolen gaskets, and fluid removal in what ever you used that crap in.

 

[theknight571]

ATOT Does it Again.

You guys are brilliant. 🙂

Checked PS fluid levels... they don't even register on the dipstick..... that's low. lol

Also noticed a "wet spot" (keep minds out of the gutter now..) directly under the PS fluid reservoir, and it there's a hose attached to the bottom of the reservoir that appears to have fluid on it as well as on the bottom of the reservoir itself... well the parts I can see at least.

So I guess it's off to the dealer... I think I'm still under warranty for a few more miles at least. 🙂

Thanks for everyone's help and input.