What's the best way to change coolant in an 03?

[albow]

I need to change my coolant. I have an 03 3500 2wd with the HO engine. I have had my radiator replaced in the past and amunsure of what type of coolant is in it currently. I am going to replace with HOAT. What's the best way to drain and flush my system?

 

[BDaugherty]

There is no good way. It’s a pain no matter what. The drain on the bottom driver side of the radiator not only is slow and wants to splatter everywhere, but it’s possible if you touch it that it may never seal again. If you have a new aftermarket radiator, it’s possible your drain is better than the oem.
I suppose I would drain it and then run water through it until the old coolant was gone, then add a gallon on concentrate to mix with the remaining water and then fill with 50/50.

 

[jgillott]

Because of the known problems with it, I never touch that drain on the radiator on mine. I prefer to remove the bottom radiator hose. Not a great choice either, but I think it is the least of the evils.

 

[DavidC]

Some pull the bottom radiator hose, as long as you can get it off and then back on without leaking is the risk. Think I would have a spare hose handy. Fill with distilled water, drive around to get to temp and repeat the drain. As BDaugherty said add a gallon of strength and top off with 50/50. I would test the strength after a few runs to see if it is what you want freeze wise.

Dave

 

[seafish]

The BEST way is simply to follow the advice and steps by member AH64ID in his thread here--

https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-tech-articles/220514-coolant-flush-3rd-gen.html

 

[albow]

Hmmmm, I was unaware of an issue with the drain plug. Since my radiator has been replaced with an aftermarket (as far as I know), I wonder if it's made a little better? It was probably changed around 2010 or 11. Nice explanation on the posted thread. That's kind of what I was expecting. I am way overdue for this. BTW, from the above thread, the engine is self burping, right?

 

[GrantP]

Self burping? Maybe...didn't work for me.

There are some good suggestions to get the air out here if you have a problem.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/burping-the-cooling-system.254955/

 

[Blakers]

To refill, I take the heater hose off the back of the head and, using a funnel, pour your coolant in. This way there is no air trapped in the head that is difficult to get out.

 

[albow]

To refill, I take the heater hose off the back of the head and, using a funnel, pour your coolant in. This way there is no air trapped in the head that is difficult to get out.

How difficult is it to remove and replace each time? Thinking about that, I might as well replace any that I have to remove at any point. Is the upper or lower particularly hard or pain in the butt to replace?

 

[albow]

Thanks everybody for all the links and ideas. Now for some decent weather to get er done.

 

[albow]

Sooooo, guys, is the petcock issue one where it has a verrrrrrrry slow drip? I got the flush done the other day and it seems to have an extremely slow drip. If I turn it very very slightly towards the open direction (rather than full tight), it doesn't seem to do this, but I don't have faith it will stay in any fractional position. I wonder if some wax or something that could take enough potential heat, would hold it in place or even plug the end?

 

[jgillott]

Yep. They sometimes don't like to close again after they are opened.

 

[albow]

Hmmm , I see the above post and was about to reply that it seemed totally different than my issue. I've had my radiator replaced so it is probably an aftermarket. I had no problem getting it to open up and it doesn't seem to not want to grab/thread and also doesn't look like it might be 2 pieces. Hopefully, it quits this extremely slow drip.

 

[albow]

BTW, I apparently had 0 issues with needing to burp. Didn't need to at all.

 

[GrantP]

BTW, I apparently had 0 issues with needing to burp. Didn't need to at all.

Out of curiosity, how did you fill it?

 

[albow]

Out of curiosity, how did you fill it?

Just straight up poured it in. Maybe the first of all the gallons without a funnel, but the rest were with one. Now I've only driven long enough for the thermostat to open for a few minutes so far, but I never noticed any oddities with the temp gauge each time I did this.

 

[CVR222NV]

Sooooo, guys, is the petcock issue one where it has a verrrrrrrry slow drip? I got the flush done the other day and it seems to have an extremely slow drip. If I turn it very very slightly towards the open direction (rather than full tight), it doesn't seem to do this, but I don't have faith it will stay in any fractional position. I wonder if some wax or something that could take enough potential heat, would hold it in place or even plug the end?

I followed the procedure set out by AH64ID and ended up with the same slow drip at the petcock. I got a replacement petcock (not expensive) at the Dodge dealer, drained the radiator again, installed the new petcock, and filled the radiator back up with no further leaks. The rubber seal on the petcock was cracked causing the leak. When I do this procedure again I will follow the same procedure but get a new petcock and just replace the old one as part of the procedure.

 

[DavidC]

I sure miss the old brass threaded petcock, I guess they needed more money so they eliminated that and came up with this piece of crap.

Dave

 

[albow]

I followed the procedure set out by AH64ID and ended up with the same slow drip at the petcock. I got a replacement petcock (not expensive) at the Dodge dealer, drained the radiator again, installed the new petcock, and filled the radiator back up with no further leaks. The rubber seal on the petcock was cracked causing the leak. When I do this procedure again I will follow the same procedure but get a new petcock and just replace the old one as part of the procedure.

Reckon I'll have to buy one then. Thanks for the info.

 

[Blakers]

How difficult is it to remove and replace each time? Thinking about that, I might as well replace any that I have to remove at any point. Is the upper or lower particularly hard or pain in the butt to replace?

Not hard at all. Just a hose clamp and pull the hose out of the way while inserting a funnel.