Coolant Flush
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From: FLORIDA
Coolant Flush
Hi guys
Wanting to do a coolant flush/change today
Anyone know where i can get some info on the best way to do it including bleeding the air after please
2004 Ram 1500 4.7L
Many thanks
Wanting to do a coolant flush/change today
Anyone know where i can get some info on the best way to do it including bleeding the air after please
2004 Ram 1500 4.7L
Many thanks
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Professional
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: FLORIDA
Just found this on another forum
his DIY found via the internet:
Things You'll Need:
Five gallons of coolant
Crescent wrench
Distilled water
Bucket
1
Move the truck to a level surface to make flushing the radiator easier. Be sure to set the parking brake before beginning any work on the truck.
2
Open the hood of the truck and feel the outer temperature of the radiator. Wait until the radiator is cool to the touch before you remove the cap.
3
Remove the radiator cap once it's cool to the touch. Twist the cap one full turn to relieve any leftover pressure, wait a few seconds and then fully remove the radiator cap.
4
Position a bucket or tray directly underneath the radiator drain on the underside of the radiator. The drain plug should be on the driver's side on a Ram. Once in position, use a crescent wrench to remove the drain plug. Allow all of the existing coolant to drain from the radiator.
5
Take the drained coolant and pour it into a sealable container for proper disposal. Coolant is extremely toxic to people and pets. Take the old coolant to a toxic disposal company or your local auto store.
6
Close the drain plug and pour distilled water into the radiator. Then, open the drain plug and let the water drain back out. Repeat this procedure of filling and draining the radiator until it runs debris-free out the drain plug. It will take approximately 3 gallons of distilled water to complete the flush.
7
Replace the drain plug on the underneath of the radiator. Then fill the radiator with coolant to within 1 inch of the top lip of the radiator.
8
Leave the radiator cap off and start the truck. Allow the truck to run until the cooling fan turns on two separate times.
9
Turn off the engine and recheck the radiator level. If fluid level went down, add more coolant to the radiator. In all, you will need approximately 5 gallons of coolant for the Dodge Ram radiator.
10
Put the cap back on the radiator, clean up debris and close the hood of the truck.
and this regarding filling the system to prevent air trapped
"The 4.7 is notorious for trapping air. The best way I've found to get the air out without any special tools is to leave the cap off, remove the bleeder plug and fill the system through the bleeder plug. When coolant reaches cap level, replace the cap and continue to fill the system through the bleeder until full. Replace the bleeder and test drive with the heater on (to make sure it doesn't go cold, indicating air in the system) and watch the temp gauge."
his DIY found via the internet:
Things You'll Need:
Five gallons of coolant
Crescent wrench
Distilled water
Bucket
1
Move the truck to a level surface to make flushing the radiator easier. Be sure to set the parking brake before beginning any work on the truck.
2
Open the hood of the truck and feel the outer temperature of the radiator. Wait until the radiator is cool to the touch before you remove the cap.
3
Remove the radiator cap once it's cool to the touch. Twist the cap one full turn to relieve any leftover pressure, wait a few seconds and then fully remove the radiator cap.
4
Position a bucket or tray directly underneath the radiator drain on the underside of the radiator. The drain plug should be on the driver's side on a Ram. Once in position, use a crescent wrench to remove the drain plug. Allow all of the existing coolant to drain from the radiator.
5
Take the drained coolant and pour it into a sealable container for proper disposal. Coolant is extremely toxic to people and pets. Take the old coolant to a toxic disposal company or your local auto store.
6
Close the drain plug and pour distilled water into the radiator. Then, open the drain plug and let the water drain back out. Repeat this procedure of filling and draining the radiator until it runs debris-free out the drain plug. It will take approximately 3 gallons of distilled water to complete the flush.
7
Replace the drain plug on the underneath of the radiator. Then fill the radiator with coolant to within 1 inch of the top lip of the radiator.
8
Leave the radiator cap off and start the truck. Allow the truck to run until the cooling fan turns on two separate times.
9
Turn off the engine and recheck the radiator level. If fluid level went down, add more coolant to the radiator. In all, you will need approximately 5 gallons of coolant for the Dodge Ram radiator.
10
Put the cap back on the radiator, clean up debris and close the hood of the truck.
and this regarding filling the system to prevent air trapped
"The 4.7 is notorious for trapping air. The best way I've found to get the air out without any special tools is to leave the cap off, remove the bleeder plug and fill the system through the bleeder plug. When coolant reaches cap level, replace the cap and continue to fill the system through the bleeder until full. Replace the bleeder and test drive with the heater on (to make sure it doesn't go cold, indicating air in the system) and watch the temp gauge."
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From: FLORIDA
The stat was changed in late november last year. Will it be OK to reuse it? Also im catching the coolant in a bucket under the rad as per above but its stopped dripping now and honest there doesnt seem to be much in there, certainly not 5 galons
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Vanderpool Texas
Usually they base those numbers on a totally dry fill. Meaning the block and everything is empty. You won't get that much. Post if it works good to get out the air. 5.7 hemi's trap air as well.
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Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: FLORIDA
Right so followed instructions and also used this also
"The 4.7 is notorious for trapping air. The best way I've found to get the air out without any special tools is to leave the cap off, remove the bleeder plug and fill the system through the bleeder plug. When coolant reaches cap level, replace the cap and continue to fill the system through the bleeder until full. Replace the bleeder and test drive with the heater on (to make sure it doesn't go cold, indicating air in the system) and watch the temp gauge."
Managed to get exactly 2 galons in
Took her for short maybe 4 mile spin stop start traffic light etc. Temp on needle gauge stayed pretty much still just a nats ding dong under the halfway mark. Cabin heater on all time absolutely sweating my nuts off however it is mid 80's today here.
Let her cool down popped rad cap off and coolant still up to overflow tube level
Taking some mix coolant with me tomorrow just in case she needs top up as i will be pulling my lawn equipment trailer all day
Fingers crossed but so far seems OK
"The 4.7 is notorious for trapping air. The best way I've found to get the air out without any special tools is to leave the cap off, remove the bleeder plug and fill the system through the bleeder plug. When coolant reaches cap level, replace the cap and continue to fill the system through the bleeder until full. Replace the bleeder and test drive with the heater on (to make sure it doesn't go cold, indicating air in the system) and watch the temp gauge."
Managed to get exactly 2 galons in
Took her for short maybe 4 mile spin stop start traffic light etc. Temp on needle gauge stayed pretty much still just a nats ding dong under the halfway mark. Cabin heater on all time absolutely sweating my nuts off however it is mid 80's today here.
Let her cool down popped rad cap off and coolant still up to overflow tube level
Taking some mix coolant with me tomorrow just in case she needs top up as i will be pulling my lawn equipment trailer all day
Fingers crossed but so far seems OK