Method to Drain Radiator Fluid On A 2014

[MJWenrich]

I am preparing to replace the upper radiator hose and wye and reviewed the thread posted in July. The question was asked then, but not answered, can anti freeze be drained from the bottom or do you have to disconnect the hose from the radiator? I looked under my 14 and do not see a drain like on my 2004. The radiator shroud on the 14 goes all the way down so it may be underneath but someone probably knows the answer. It would seem like removing the upper hose without draining would not only make quite a mess but would leave a lot of slippery anti freeze on the belt. Still need to pick up the replacement anti freeze too. Guess that will be the RAM dealer as posted in the original thread.

Anyone know the correct way to do this?

 

[Newsa]

I am also planning on replacing my upper radiator hose within the next month. I have the billet wye from "black market".

It appears difficult to get to the spring clamps behind the fan shroud... So I ordered a tool designed to make this easier. After it arrives, I will make the switch.

No plans to drain the entire radiator. Just catch what falls out of the top hose. I have a gallon of 50/50 mix OAT (mopar brand) and if needed, will reuse what I collect out of the too radiator hose (if more than a gallon drains out.

Am I planning correctly for this fix?

 

[Newsa]

I just plan on cleaning up the belt if I get coolant on it.

 

[NIsaacs]

Just syphon it out the top, no mess at all.

Nick

 

[Newsa]

Just syphon it out the top, no mess at all.

Nick

Through the reservoir? Or is there a cap under the shroud?

 

[JR]

There is a drain on the passenger side of the radiator but I was putting some real torque on it without it budging so I left it alone.

When I changed my wye I pulled the hose off the radiator side and had a small container to catch the excess coolant in. I reused it as the mileage was Fairly low compared to the recommended service interval and only had to use a pinch out of my new jug.

 

[Newsa]

Thanks for the advise. Yeah, the radiator side is forward of the belt and a little forward of the ahroud. I think there is enough room, I can get a deli container in there.

 

[NIsaacs]

Through the reservoir? Or is there a cap under the shroud?

Don't the new trucks have a standard radiator cap?

Nick

 

[gsbrockman]

I am preparing to replace the upper radiator hose and wye and reviewed the thread posted in July. The question was asked then, but not answered, can anti freeze be drained from the bottom or do you have to disconnect the hose from the radiator? I looked under my 14 and do not see a drain like on my 2004. The radiator shroud on the 14 goes all the way down so it may be underneath but someone probably knows the answer. It would seem like removing the upper hose without draining would not only make quite a mess but would leave a lot of slippery anti freeze on the belt. Still need to pick up the replacement anti freeze too. Guess that will be the RAM dealer as posted in the original thread.

Anyone know the correct way to do this?

Are you anywhere close to requiring a 150k mile cooling system service?

 

[Newsa]

Don't the new trucks have a standard radiator cap?

Nick

Not that I see. There is the tube to the reservoir on the passenger side. And the inlet to radiator on drivers side.

Back in the old days of reservoirs, they had a pressure valve on the reservoir tube. But sure if they still do

 

[NIsaacs]

Not that I see. There is the tube to the reservoir on the passenger side. And the inlet to radiator on drivers side.

Back in the old days of reservoirs, they had a pressure valve on the reservoir tube. But sure if they still do

I looked up radiator parts from Mopar on the twin radiator trucks '13-'14? It shows a radiator cap on the primary radiator (passenger side) but none on the auxiliary radiator, I don't know which is which.

PS, it also shows a drain plug on the passenger side of the primary radiator, straight out the bottom.

Nick

 

[Newsa]

I looked up radiator parts from Mopar on the twin radiator trucks '13-'14? It shows a radiator cap on the primary radiator (passenger side) but none on the auxiliary radiator, I don't know which is which.

PS, it also shows a drain plug on the passenger side of the primary radiator, straight out the bottom.

Nick

Well, definately not on the top

 

[NIsaacs]

That appears to be the auxiliary/secondary radiator. Did you look at the primary one? I doubt the parts book is wrong.

Nick

 

[Newsa]

That appears to be the auxiliary/secondary radiator. Did you look at the primary one? I doubt the parts book is wrong.

Nick

The secondary radiator is down below and set back slightly. Thanks for looking in the parts catalog, tho. I don't know why they have something different?

The wye feeds a slightly snaller diameter hose down to the auxillary radiator.

You said radiator cap on passenger side? Maybe it is on the side of the radiator? But that sounds like it would just cause a mess removing it and doesn't really help me change the top hose.

Thanks for your research, tho

 

[Cummins12V98]

Don't the new trucks have a standard radiator cap?

Nick

You need to buy a new truck so you can be up to date on these critical issues.

 

[MJWenrich]

To answer the question about my mileage, no I am not even close to the 150K mileage. Also, I did not look on the passenger side of the radiator for a drain. The 04 is on the drivers side. Did not think that far ahead and forgot about the double radiator thing. Technology has gone way beyond my high school auto shop and back yard mechanic experience over the years. I recall when you could actually see all the parts under the hood. Thank you for all the replies and good to see I'm not the only one that has questions about this.

 

[Newsa]

You need to buy a new truck so you can be up to date on these critical issues.

And I need to buy an Aisin equipped truck so I can see how great it is.

 

[Newsa]

I'm changing mine at 40k (nowhere near the 150k mark). Bob4x4 says It's a high failure item. My wife would be upset with me if we got caught far from home with 2 dogs in the truck on the interstate if I tell her I knew it was a weak link in the cooling system. She thought it was strange I bought the aluminum part before the OEM failed. But then again she thought we could keep driving with a failed radiator hose. Lol

 

[NIsaacs]

You need to buy a new truck so you can be up to date on these critical issues.

Lol, yes, that is why I join in from time to time on the new trucks, learning for that eventuality, they have to get a few years older tho

It's hard to learn when the parts book says yes and the owner says no.

Nick

 

[Cummins12V98]

And I need to buy an Aisin equipped truck so I can see how great it is.

Good idea.