Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How many gallons to completely change out all antifreeze?

[Morepower]

Does anyone have experience on just how many gallons it would take to change out all the radiator coolant?

Does anyone know the best drain locations to remove all the coolant?

 

[Rob Thomas]

6 gallons, I used the petcock on the radiator to drain,(once most was out, I removed the lower rad hose to get everything out) I removed the heater hose from the head, and intsalled another hose atached to a spigot to flush the system.



Later, Rob

 

[jpolston]

What Thomas said, cept I used compressed air to purge the system after draining. Purged through the heater hoses. I then put in the "50/50" premix from Fleetguard (Cummins). The directions on the jug says it will blend with all coolants, this is good since a little of the old coolant will invariably be left in the block. I would not recommend using potable water as the flushing/mixing medium, if you're using water, it should be "demineralized or distilled".

 

[Morepower]

Does the block have a lower drain plug that can be removed to drain the block?

 

[redram3]

I can;t speak for all but my 98 has no plugs to drain block.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

The recommended DC procedure says to drain using the petcock ONLY! I found this to be painfully slow. I used the petcock and I took my lower rad hose off at the engine. Drianed her empty. . filled her with water (bottled) and drained her again. It takes 6 gallons of coolant to fill 'ur up.

The guys at DC's part counter are rocks as they gave me only two gallons of 50/50 mix coolant. I geuss they believe that everyone drives a gasser.

R,

Andy

 

[me4osu]

I bought 7 gallons when I changed my coolant to Rotella ELC. Used some of it to fill the surge bottle.



I had the local Jiffy lube do it with their machine for about $40. 00. Saved me the trouble of properly disposing of the old coolant.

 

[RedRam1]

Changed mine for the first time over the last weekend, took right at 6 gallons. I was also wondering about a drain plug on the block, I noticed a small plug just under the injection pump that may have been a drain, but it was in an inconvenient location, and I was in a hurry, so I did not investigate further.

 

[RedRam1]

I've got one more related question: Where have you all been disposing of the old coolant? I wonder if any of the chain auto parts places (NAPA, Autozone, Advanced Auto, Pep Boys) accept old coolant for recycling?

In addition to the 6 gallons from my truck, I also changed the coolant in two more cars, and a tractor. I've got old coolant running out my ears!

 

[RJOL]

Here's some good info from the Ram Index:



http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/cooling-sys/antifreeze.htm



Have fun...

 

[jboehm]

RedRam1,



You must cetainly have woodchuch holes in the area, right? Got rid of mine! Guess what, they didn't come back to visit either!!!! Course, I live where you still can hunt, and get rid of pesky critters!

 

[RedRam1]

jboehm,



I must confess that I've done the same thing on occasion, but this time I have so d@mn much of the stuff I kind of hate to dispose of it in this fashion. We are on a well, and I would hate to have three filled-to-the-brim 5 gal. buckets worth of old coolant end up in our drinking water.

 

[PMalin]

Initially, I bought 6 or so gallons of the 50% premix of the fleetguard stuff. The dealer I went to at that time, did not have any 100%. Using the petcock and following service manual instructions, the simple method of draining the radiator, filling with water, run until upper hose is warm, let it cool and repeat, with water until it's all clear. This method takes forever and will then leave your block with almost straight water, until you begin adding the antifreeze. Problem is, if all you begin adding is 50% stuff, your not going to get to 50% without further draining $ out the radiator. Get two gallons of the 100% if you use a method that leaves you block full of water, and a couple gallons of 50% and however many gallons of distilled water you need to flush it. Fleetguard also has test strips that may be good to use also. I believe I read 2 differing opinions in the Manuals concerning Cavitation. Anyway, you would not want to run plain water or any weak coolant. A certain % level is required to avoid cavitation problems eating your engine away, not to mention freezing temperature problems. Disposal issues, call your city, around here they have a location to take stuff like this and there is no charge and they will properly dispose of it.

 

[Mark Baker]

If there are no recycling centers that except coolant nearby, as a last resort it is acceptable to dilute and dump down the toilet (no septic tanks). Afterall, it's no more toxic than the E. Coli and other organisms in sewage.