Help! Am I missing a part?

[rbattelle]

Just noticed today, there is a vent hole just below the radiator overflow bottle cap that looks like it should either be plugged or have a hose connected to it. Am I missing a plug for that port? Or (worse) a hose?



A quick response would be much appreciated, so I can run to the dealer if necessary!

 

[rbattelle]

Stopped by the dealer and asked their diesel tech. He said it was just a vent hole for the reservoir.



It's funny how little things like that can panic you with a new truck!



I remain concerned, however, about the possibility of dirt entering the cooling system via that port. I am considering buying a length of vacuum hose and routing the vent to a location where dirt is less likely to accumulate.

 

[wanderson]

If your talking about the oval shaped hole below the yellow cap,its suppose to be a vent. There is no plug or hose for that. You should have a black hose that goes from the radiator cap(just below cap) to a point on the over flow bottle that is below the oval shaped hole.



Wayne.

 

[rbattelle]

Wanderson,



Yeah, that's what I've got. Like I said, I don't like that arrangement very much and may search for a hose to re-route the vent location.

 

[Rosco]

I would not worry about it because as long as your coolant is in the recommended zone it will not overflow out the vent.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

AH yes, but if it DOES...



A diversion tube (like manufacturers USED to provide ) would be an excellent idea - sure is amazing, the things they eliminate to save (themselves!) a few cents...



Shucks - they COULDA simply left the CAP off the bottle - THAT would do the same thing - maybe THAT will be on NEXT years models...

 

[rbattelle]

I'm not worried about coolant coming out of the vent, I'm more concerned with dirt getting in.



Perhaps a flexible rubber line directed down alongside the radiator a few inches would help reduce contamination.



Let's face it, they sure could have done a better job with this. I mean, rather than a gaping hole in the side of the container, how about a few small holes in the cap?

 

[rbattelle]

A Fix

Well, after almost 2 years I finally got around to fixing this ridiculous hole. Dodge, if you're reading this, you're fools for equipping trucks this way from the factory.



I have noticed there is a ton of dirt that gets into the overflow tank through that oval shaped hole. There is black crud all around the outside of the tank and in various parts inside the tank itself.



To fix it, I bought a length of 3/4" heater hose, which is exactly the right size to slip over the oval-shaped hole (thanks for not making it round, DC ). After cleaning the top of the reservoir and cutting away the small rib of plastic beneath the vent hole I slipped the heater hose over the hole and secured it with a wire tie. At the other end I used 2 pieces of stainless steel screen door (rotated 45 degrees from each other) wire-tied to the hose. I then routed the hose down into the body cavity adjacent to the washer fluid reservoir.



Hopefully this will keep most dirt out of the coolant tank, and it can easily be removed for cleaning as necessary. I've attached a few pics...



-Ryan

 

[nickleinonen]

how about one of them k&n type crankcase breather filters on the end of it with just short length of hose?



this one could work... RU-3630 : 2. 5"long x 2"diameter with a 3/4" id inlet

 

[rbattelle]

Now that's an interesting idea...

 

[bpenrod]

Good job on the hose, now what are those wires up by the firewall???

 

[rbattelle]

Good job on the hose, now what are those wires up by the firewall???

Oh, I'm so embarrassed. The wiring is much neater than it looks in the picture, I swear! There's a lot of wiring I've put in that location, including my idle controller, oil pressure sending unit, EGT, the tap for the painless auxillary wiring harness, and so on. Many of these wires I've routed through the plastic housing that runs along the firewall...



-Ryan

P. S. At the rate I'm adding wiring to this truck it'll look like the Delorean from Back to the Future within a couple years.

 

[nickleinonen]

P. S. At the rate I'm adding wiring to this truck it'll look like the Delorean from Back to the Future within a couple years.

:-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[ttreibel]

Remember Cummins not Dodge recommends changing your anti-freeze every other year regardless of the mileage. Use the get what you can procedure and it is a snap with the drain plugs and the one way check valves Cummins installed. Cummins says this is as important as oil changing.

 

[rbattelle]

Remember Cummins not Dodge recommends changing your anti-freeze every other year regardless of the mileage. Use the get what you can procedure and it is a snap with the drain plugs and the one way check valves Cummins installed. Cummins says this is as important as oil changing.

I am running Fleetguard Compleat PG premix. Per an email I got from Fleetguard this coolant need not be changed until the first engine rebuild at 350000 miles as long as I add the SCA package every year.



-Ryan

 

[bpenrod]

I figured you had added some toys! I know when people first get in my truck they always say, "Whats that gauge for? And that one? And THAT one? And how about that box down there and that switch on the dash... ...

 

[ttreibel]

I am running Fleetguard Compleat PG premix. Per an email I got from Fleetguard this coolant need not be changed until the first engine rebuild at 350000 miles as long as I add the SCA package every year.



-Ryan

From what I understand it's not about the coolant breaking down or not working it's about getting rid of the impurities Cummins says get them out! With a coolant change only taking 45 minutes and about 30 bucks worth of coolant I will stay with the 2 year program thanks! GM was the first to switch to the longlife stuff and I have seen some very filthy systems on the used car market. The coolant might say 5 years but I think they are referring to the shelf life from my observations of used cars and trucks.



At that engine rebuild 350K I guess a new radiator and heater core won't add much cost to that $$$$$..... ?

 

[rbattelle]

From what I understand it's not about the coolant breaking down or not working it's about getting rid of the impurities Cummins says get them out! With a coolant change only taking 45 minutes and about 30 bucks worth of coolant I will stay with the 2 year program thanks! GM was the first to switch to the longlife stuff and I have seen some very filthy systems on the used car market. The coolant might say 5 years but I think they are referring to the shelf life from my observations of used cars and trucks.



At that engine rebuild 350K I guess a new radiator and heater core won't add much cost to that $$$$$..... ?

You make a good point. Maybe I should plumb in a coolant filter...



-Ryan