REFILLING COOLING SYSTEM
| WARNING | DO NOT REMOVE CYLINDER BLOCK DRAIN PLUGS OR LOOSEN RADIATOR DRAINCOCK WITH SYSTEM HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE. SERIOUS BURNS FROM COOLANT CAN OCCUR. |
DO NOT WASTE reusable coolant. If solution is clean, drain coolant into a clean container for reuse.
Clean cooling system prior to refilling. (Refer to COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE) .
- Install cylinder block drain plugs. Coat the threads with Mopar® Thread Sealant with Teflon.
- Close radiator petcock.
- Fill cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze «(Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES - DESCRIPTION)»(ref-247602-S02196876822007020100000) .
- Fill coolant reserve/overflow tank to MAX mark on indicator stick.
- Start and operate engine until thermostat opens (upper radiator hose warm to touch).
- If necessary, add antifreeze mixture «(Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES - DESCRIPTION)»(ref-247602-S02196876822007020100000) , to the coolant reserve/overflow tank. This is done to maintain coolant level between the MAX and MIN marks. The level in the reserve/overflow tank may drop below the MIN mark after three or four warm-up and cool-down cycles.
REVERSE FLUSHING
Reverse flushing of cooling system is the forcing of water through the cooling system. This is done using air pressure in the opposite direction of normal coolant flow. It is usually only necessary with very dirty systems with evidence of partial plugging.
REVERSE FLUSHING RADIATOR
Disconnect radiator hoses from radiator inlet and outlet. Attach a section of radiator hose to radiator bottom outlet fitting and insert flushing gun. Connect a water supply hose and air supply hose to flushing gun.
| CAUTION | Internal radiator pressure must not exceed 138 kPa (20 psi) as damage to radiator may result. |
Allow radiator to fill with water. When radiator is filled, apply air in short blasts. Allow radiator to refill between blasts. Continue this reverse flushing until clean water flows out through rear of radiator cooling tube passages. Have radiator cleaned more extensively by a radiator repair shop.
REVERSE FLUSHING ENGINE
Drain cooling system. Remove thermostat housing and thermostat. Install thermostat housing. Disconnect radiator upper hose from radiator and attach flushing gun to hose. Disconnect radiator lower hose from water pump and attach a lead-away hose to water pump inlet fitting.
| CAUTION | On vehicles equipped with a heater water control valve, be sure heater control valve is closed (heat off). This will prevent coolant flow with scale and other deposits from entering heater core. |
Connect water supply hose and air supply hose to flushing gun. Allow engine to fill with water. When engine is filled, apply air in short blasts, allowing system to fill between air blasts. Continue until clean water flows through the lead away hose.
Remove lead away hose, flushing gun, water supply hose and air supply hose. Remove thermostat housing and install thermostat. Install thermostat housing with a replacement gasket. Refer to Thermostat Replacement. Connect radiator hoses. Refill cooling system with correct antifreeze/water mixture. Refer to Refilling the Cooling System.