Hey all, stupid question for my first thread here, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything properly.

I just finished replacing my waterpump, Tstat, and hoses, and now I'm at the point where I need to refill the system with coolant. I have a 2000 R/T 5.9L, and I was wondering where do I fill it at? Is it the top hose? or do I pour it in to the reservoir? I have the FSM, but it's not entirely clear on what to do.

So yeah, any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Top hose rad cap to fill make sure to burp the system.

Do a search on that its standard knowledge for any auto

Replace the rad cap if its old but look for a quality cap as some of the cheap ones are CRAP stant brand is now made in China but still good.

 

You should have a rad cap on the top hose going to the motor. Fill that till you cant put anymore in then fill up the reservoir. Run the truck and repeat once you start slowing down on adding coolant take the truck for a little 5-10min drive(up hill,down hill, every which way) stop and check to see if you need to add any.

 

They are two separate entities. You must add to both... but you fill it at the top hose. Leave cap off, put heater on hot then run truck at full operating temp for about 15 min. That should get rid of the air bubbles (aka burping). You must also have proper level in the overflow tank. There is a dipstick in the neck.

 

I'm also about to change out my water pump due to it leaking when its cold out. I'm being told that I can put a lower pressure radiator cap on to help prevent hoses and plastic radiator tanks and parts from blowing out. Has anyone done this or recommends this? I currently have a 21psi cap on and was thinking of maybe going down to a 10 or 12psi. I know it lowers boiling point but it shouldn't get that hot anyway. 21psi just seems like too much.

I have a 2003 dakota v6 with 70,000 miles on it.

 

i think 18psi is standard. Yes the 21's for our trucks are high, and mine and a few others have ruptured at the radiator cap fitting due to excessive pressure.