I did run a search but couldn't find what i was looking for. My question is what kind of coolent is in a 03? and can i switch it to some other kind if i flush all old stuff out? what is the best kind to use? And how many miles is about the average for a water pump? I have 117k miles on it and wondering if I should change it now.

03 qcab sbox full gauges no cat no mods

 

Hoat rated Zerox from AutoZone is what I use. Bought it w/ 91,000 miles, now have 153,000 with the same coolant.

 

You still have the original water pump in your truck? The reson i am aksing is i have a weird squeak when the the truck has been run for a long time only, it doesnt do it when is cold and for short runs. I have changed out the idile pulley bearing and the belt tensioner bearing, and today i take the alternater to the shop to get it rebuilt. So if that doest fix my squeak when hot I was thinking water pump. I hope its not the turbo, but the noise isnt back their, but I know that doesnt mean much.

03 qcab sbox full gauges no cat no mods

 

Opps i just read that post "watch those water pumps", should have looked first. But does a squeak when the truck is hot sound like a bad water pump?

03 qcab sbox full gauges no cat no mods

 

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=10

 

What all is involved in changing the antifreeze? Is there a link on how to go about changing it?

 

Not much in draining the antifreeze. there is a valve at the bottom of the rad remove rad cap, open valve. I would guess that from the lack of responses to our questions is that, what antifreeze remains in the block from just draining isn't to worry about, how it will mix with the new stuff. I do know that the antifreeze is what lubes the pump, thats why i was wondering what stuff is in the truck and what stuff to use. I have heard that the new types of coolants don't lube the pump enough and that it brakes down to quickly, causing your pump to fail.

03 qcab sbox full gauges no cat no mods

 

So then it is ok to mix new antifreeze with the old stuff left over? I suppose if you just use the reccomended Mopar stuff you shouldn't have any issues?

*Edit* How much fluid is needed to complete the job?

 

IF YOU HAVE "RED" antifreeze...you have to get "EVERY BIT OUT OV YOUR SYSTEM" ...drain it (COLD)
refill with water
drain it refill with water
run the motor for two min
shut off motor
drain it
refill with water...this time
when you drain it should be CLEAR
if so add reg antifreeze

if the RED antifreeze mixes with reg(glycol)antifreeze it COAGULATES
ALL the RED needs to be OUT...

it is well worth the trouble to do as there have been sleve failiers traced back to the RED AF

 

Ok so I have the Red AF in my truck, when I go to drain it out lets say I don't get every last little drop. If I refil it with the Red AF that is already in it will it make any difference?

Is running the truck for 2 minutes with just water in the system a smart idea?

 

He is confusing the type of antifreeze with the color. Dex-cool (OAT) is the type of antifreeze he is referring to. The Dodge and Ford coolants are HOAT types and are different colors. There is not a current color standard for antifreeze. If you want to keep the same antifreeze type that is currently in your truck, get Zerex G-05, Dodge or...Ford yellow HOAT coolant. If you are just going to do a drain and replace, just make sure to fill back up with the correct concentration of HOAT type. I believe the Zerex G-05 is clear or yellow.
If you wish to change coolant type, you should flush a few times with distilled water, add the correct amount of coolant concentrate for the system and top off with distilled water. If you were able to remove almost all the coolant from the system, you could just add a 50/50 mix or whatever mix you needed.

 

I drained and replaced mine a few thousand miles ago, and put in Zerex g-05 and distilled water at roughly a 50/50 mix. It looked almost clear.


On mine, I did not flush. I just drained out the radiator and then refilled. I know it didn't get it all out but im going to drain and refill again soon at my self-imposed 20,000 mile maintenance interval....along with other stuff like trans fluid, diff fluid etc.

That should keep almost "new like" coolant in the system all the time with fresh additives for metal protection. True?

 

O.K I have no more weird squeak. I flushed out the system like belgianmagic said, refilled with Zerex G-05. I would like to know if was the alternater or the water pump that was squeaking. But I learned sumthing new today, I went the cummins dealer, on my way to get my alternater back. Told the parts person their I would like a water pump for a 03 dodge ctd. He told no you dont, you want a water pump for a 1990 dodge ctd. Oh I said why? The one for the 03 is $145 and the one for a 90 is $55. (thats here in canada) he showed me both and they are the same, no difference between the two, but the price. He said mybe the seals in the 03 are different but said that the zerex G-05 was safe for both years, so no worries. I did buy the one for the 90 just in case i needed it. Maybe this is old news for most of you, but not for me.

03 qcab sbox full gauges no cat no mods

 

My Zerex hoat is goldish yellow.

 

So you guys using the Zerex AF just drained out the old stuff(green or red) and just filled up with the new coolant, no flushing at all?

Im guessing you don't need to mix the Zerex w/ water correct, just pour & go? How much coolant is needed?