Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) T-Stat and lower rad hose questions

[Shelby Griggs]

I decided to change the coolant, hoses and t-stat today, have had all the stuff for a couple of months.



I bought the cummins 190° T-stat 3946849. This new one does not look like the old one at all. The markings for the radiator side are not readable. I need to know which side goes up. I Have a good guess but don't want to put it back in wrong.



Got everything off but the clamp on the radiator end of the lower hose. No joy yet, anybody got a tool idea. The factory obviously didn't think of taking it off in the field, otherwise they would of put it on 90° from where they did so you could get some pliers on it. UGH!



TIA



Shelby

 

[HEMI®Dart]

See if this pic helps:



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1994/7-34.htm

 

[Shelby Griggs]

That picture is totally differnt than my 2001 so it isn't much help. The new T-stat is quite a bit differnt than the stock one.



I put it back together and went about 5 miles, the T-Stat opened at 190° and then appeared to drop to about 180° and stay there, my old one was always rock solid at 190°. The top hose is still too hot to touch. Could I have this in backwards? I put the spring loaded washer down (block side) on the new one. I wished they had marked the darned markings in something other than white ink which was mostly gone when I got the T-stat from Cummins.



Shelby

 

[DAWG-1]

T-Stat

Hi Shelby, Does the new t-stat have what looks to be a large rubber band right below a rubber wrapped lip, with a round washer hanging below. That is the engine side. Call me if this made no sense, 425-355-3915. Sam

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Sam THANK YOU!

Sam, thank you, that describes it exactly and that is how I installed it. I just took a drive and it never got over 190° with about 80° ambient temperature, and it does seem to run cooler on the downhill and idling, maybe about 180°.



For any interested, I CUT the lower hose off and then was able to get enough grip on the clamp to spin it about 90° and from there remove it.



I put FG Complete Pre-Mix back in, but only got maybe 4-4 1/2 gallons in, so I am probably a little less than 50-50, must have been some residual water left from the flush.



Shelby

 

[DMcLeod]

There is a special tool for removing/installing the radiator hose clamps. I have one and it works great. Genos has the tool.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

I have a Craftsman hose clamp plier, the trouble was the lower clamp at the radiator. No room to get the pliers on the clamp with it pointed to the right side of the truck. I put it back on with the tangs up. They do sell these pliers with a cable operated remote end, BUT they are around $50 and up!



Shelby