How do you replace the radiator on a Dodge Ram?

3-4 gallons of 50/50 mixed coolant (use HOAT (Mopar) coolant if that is what your truck has installed) Remove the negative (black) cable with a 10mm wrench. Place the cable in an area it cannot accidentally contact the battery, or wrap the cable with electrical tape. Then, place a drain pan under the radiator.

Where is the power steering cooler on a Dodge Ram?

Remove the transmission and power steering coolers from the radiator. At the bottom of the radiator mounts the power steering cooler. It is held in place by two bolts at each end of the cooler. Access to the bolts is easier from the bottom of the truck. At the middle of the radiator on the front side is the transmission cooler.

Why is my radiator leaking on my Dodge Ram?

Coolant enters and exits the radiator from the plastic end tanks on the sides of the radiator. When the wrong coolant is used or coolant is not changed in the recommended service interval, corrosion can take place inside the radiator, This can cause internal leaks and clogs.

Where is the radiator drain located on a truck?

You will need to drain the radiator and fill it with distilled water, then drain it again a few times more. It’s one of the most underrated maintenance you can do for your truck, and the benefit is remarkable. Park on a leveled ground, open the hood, and remove the radiator cap. It’s located in the front of the car on top of the radiator.

How often should I Flush my Dodge Ram radiator?

It circulates coolant through the engine to ensure it stays cool under any driving condition. After a while, rust and deposits start building up inside the radiator. Flushing the system ensures it stays lubricated, rust free, and without contaminants. It’s recommended you perform a radiator flush once a year to prevent the truck from overheating.

How do you drain coolant from a radiator?

Place a tray underneath the drain plug. Then, using your wrench, loosen the drain valve. Let it drain until it’s empty. Figure 2. Loosen the radiator drain valve and drain the coolant. After you dispose the old coolant, close the drain plug and fill the radiator with distilled water.

Why are there two hoses in a radiator?

Radiator hoses are a vital part of the cooling system that carry hot coolant from the engine through the radiator and circulate it back — cooler — to the engine again. There are two hoses, the upper and lower, and they’re thick and sturdy enough to handle both high pressures and immense heat.

What should I do if my radiator is leaking coolant?

You will want to inspect both sides of the problem hose, and determine if the clamp is doing its job. Considering it is the top hose, the coolant is coming from the thermostat and flowing down through the radiator to be cooled.

When do you need to replace the radiator on a Dodge Ram?

On the ends of the radiator are plastic tanks that can crack due to impact and vibration, making replacement of the radiator mandatory. This article applies to the Dodge Ram 3rd Generation (2002-2008).

Where are the radiator and heater hoses located?

Radiator and Heater Hoses In a typical automotive cooling system, you’ll find at least 4 main hoses. First, the upper radiator hose leads directly from the thermostat housing (on the intake manifold or cylinder head) into the top of the radiator. Attached to the bottom of the radiator is a lower radiator hose.

What should I do if my radiator hose collapses?

There are two hoses, the upper and lower, and they’re thick and sturdy enough to handle both high pressures and immense heat. It should therefore strike you as odd if you notice one or both have collapsed. Don’t panic, however, as radiator hose collapse is usually a straightforward fix.

What should I do before replacing my radiator?

Flushing the system is a good idea before you replace the radiator, unless this was done very recently. A flush kit makes the job super easy and is a very nominal cost. Make sure you clean up any spills and put the old fluid in an approved container. Any oil change shop should take your old fluid at no charge to you.

What should I do when I replace my radiator?

With all the hoses and bolts attached, fill the new radiator with coolant. Check oil and transmission fluid levels in case any was lost during the installation. This is an excellent time to flush your coolant system and replace the old coolant with new coolant.

What do you do when the radiator cap is removed?

Once the cap is removed, you can either open the petcock valve or remove the bottom radiator hose to drain the coolant. Drain the coolant into a plastic reservoir. With the coolant drained, you can start removing hoses, clamps and the radiator bolts keeping the radiator in place.

How do you replace the radiator on a Dodge Ram?