Coming up on 100K on the truck and want to change the coolant. Done this on my wife's car, didn't flush it though. Was wondering what the procedure was, and how to flush, have to buy a special tool? Is the procedure on a diesel the same as on a gasser? Just fill up the radiator first, then let it run the bubbles out with the cap off? Any help appreciated.

 

First off, ensure you use HOAT coolant only. Other than that, it appears to be the same as on a gasser. The capacity is around 30 quarts. I have heard that the system drains pretty well on it's own. You should get about 27 quarts out of it when it is drained. Pour 15 quarts of coolant in, top off with distilled water and you're ready to go. I did read somewhere there are one way valves or something in these cooling systems that allow the air to purge, so you can install the cap and then just watch the overflow tank and add 50/50 mixture as needed. Either way would work I would assume.

 

Myself, personally, I will get the engine temp up enough that the t-stat opens, shut the truck down, let it cool for a minute or two, pull the plug, then just fill her back up with water and let it run for a minute, making sure that the t-stat is open and fluid is flowing, shut her down, drain, then add 50/50 coolant. Like jd said, make sure it is the coolant that Dodge calls for, it's good stuff.

Careful, rad fluid is HOT!! (tastes good, tho...)

 

Your kidneys won't like it! I buy a bunch of distilled water to do the last flush and fill. I also pull the heater hoses and flush the core really good with a garden hose. Craig

 

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

You can buy this at your local Ghettozone. It is rated for our trucks.

 

Where is the plug?

 

I usually like to drain the radiator, then set the heater to hot, and unhook a heater hose and hold a garden hose up to one end.

Let water run out of the other end of the heater hose connection until it runs clear, then block it with your thumb until clear water overflows the radiator. Then repeat with the hose held up to the other end of the heater hose connection.

This wil get all the old coolant out of the block and the heater core.

I don't like to use those flushing chemicals unless it's on a really neglected radiator.

 

You can read my saga by following this link: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...n+plug+problem

Bottom line: have a spare drain plug handy just in case. it's at the bottom of the radiator on the driver's side. you could fish it out without removing the radiator if you had to.