Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Replacing Hoses and Thermostat should I also do the water pump

[FordTrax]

I was not sure if this was engine related or not - decided it was not specifically a engine question. I have a 1999 Dodge CTD with what appears to be original hoses. I plan to replace all the hoses and put in new coolant - I will also replace the thermostat with a Dodge OEM. I have a couple of questions:

1.) What coolant would you use - Prestone Universal or the HD zerex (Red Stuff) or is there something better?

2.) Should I also do the water pump while I am in there I have 94K on mine?

3.) Anything else I should be doing related to the cooling system?

Thank you.

 

[VolsFan]

I think the OE water pump on the 2nd gens is better than what you can get at the parts stores, I have seen low failure rates on them, seems like they go faster on the 3rd gens. But with only 94k I wouldn't replace it. Should easily go to 200k at least. And if it does fail not a big job to replace

 

[HCannon]

Cant help you on What coolant to use but on the water pump, I have had 3 of the 2nd gens make well over 200k miles on the org. one. When they do go, it is so easy to change.

 

[Woodenhead]

Don't use the red extended life stuff. I've seen corrosion problems from this in my 12 valve. You must use a low silicate coolant. Valvoline zerex is what Northwest Cummins sold me.
The previous owner if my '98 did not use low silicate and there was a pretty good buildup of silicate gel in my block.

 

[FordTrax]

Great I will leave the original water pump in. As for the low silicate would that be the Zerex G-05? How many gallons will I need of the straight antifreeze I will mix with distilled water?

 

[JR]

Your truck is specd to use standard ethylene glycol (green stuff). The G05 coolant was specd in Cummins engines starting in 03 but is backward compatible provided you do a thorough flush of your system so as not to mix the two coolants together. G05 coolant is generally good for 5 Years/150k miles vs 30k miles the standard ethylene glycol is rated for.

 

[RikDavis]

i still have my original water pump on the 99 with 576k on it. Not to worry

 

[seafish]

i still have my original water pump on the 99 with 576k on it. Not to worry

That's AMAZING , I wish the 3rd gen water pump would last longer!!

 

[Woodenhead]

Great I will leave the original water pump in. As for the low silicate would that be the Zerex G-05? How many gallons will I need of the straight antifreeze I will mix with distilled water?

This is what I was given at Cummins Northwest for my 12V.
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[Cosmo]

I'm running FleetCharge in my truck.
http://www.midlandhardware.com/129245.html?gclid=CJaJufbsyL4CFYJqfgodWUkAVw

And the water pumps in these are easy enough to replace when they fail, and they're fairly reliable, I wouldn't swap it out without reason.

It's not like a Duramax where it's a 6 hour job.