Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Coolant change update

[Muleskinner]

I changed my coolant today at 48,000 miles. I used Zerex brand Chrysler MS 9769 approved G-05 coolant. Kind of strange. First coolant I have ever seen that is almost clear with a small amount of yellow dye. When water is added, the coolant almost looks clear.



I found what I believe is an easy way to completely flush the system. After removing the radiator cap and opening the drain plug, I removed the lower radiator hose at the block. I then removed the heater core hoses at the engine. I then removed the thermostat. With all of the above mentioned items removed, I was able to easily flush out the radiator, block and heater core.



I then put the lower radiator hose and the heater core hoses back on, closed the drain plug and filled the block through the thermostat opening on the cylinder head. I topped off the system using the radiator fill hole. After driving the truck I rechecked the coolant level and filled accordingly.



The strange thing is I was only able to get three gallons of coolant and 1 1/2 gallons of water back into the system. I read a post where someone said they got their system to take 5 1/2 gallons after flushing.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by Muleskinner

Kind of strange. First coolant I have ever seen that is almost clear with a small amount of yellow dye. When water is added, the coolant almost looks clear.

Hate to ask but was that Premix you added water to? I got juuust shy of 5 gallons out by just the petcock and crank method.

 

[Muleskinner]

No not pre mix. It was straight antifreeze.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I figured but ya never know. Well ya did get 4 1/2 gallons in. What I did is I took a spare gallon container and made a 50 / 50 mix of coolant / distilled water and kept on doing so one after the other until the system was full. Then started the truck , ran it then ran it hard on a run , came back and let it cool off and got another half gallon in or so.

 

[Muleskinner]

Bum thermostat

Well after changing the coolant, I discovered the thermostat o ring was now leaking coolant. I thought the o ring was a bit crusty and hard. So I went down to the dealer and low and behold, they had one thermostat in stock. A Cummins box with a Chrysler sticker over the box containing a brand new 180 degree Cummins thermostat. Installed it and cured the water leak. Engine now runs cooler on the gauge. It's getting warm here so lower coolant temperature will be appreciated. The nice part, only paid $24. 00 plus tax for the part. Oo. I had checked for the part at the aftermarket parts houses, with no luck. None of the parts houses listed a thermostat for our applications. That includes Car Quest, Kragen and Auto Zone.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I think I paid $12 at Cummins for that same exact thermostat

 

[Muleskinner]

I would take $12. 00. But being a dealer, I expected to pay $30 to 40. 00 for it!!!!!!!! So I thought the price was not bad.

 

[JWine]

Do you have the part # for that thermostat ,my cummins dealer wants 60$ for a 190 degree. Thanks

 

[Muleskinner]

Originally posted by JWine

Do you have the part # for that thermostat ,my cummins dealer wants 60$ for a 190 degree. Thanks

I did, but I threw it away. Do a search on thermostats. That is how I found the part number. My dealer just happened to have one.