OEM 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Thermostat

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Thermostat Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Thermostat on 2000 Dodge Ram 3500?

  A: If you need to service or repair the thermostat, be sure the radiator draincock is fastened while the system is hot and pressurized so you don't suffer serious burns from the coolant. Clean reusable coolant should be drained into a clean canister. Always choose the recommended thermostat for your vehicle's engine and model when doing a replacement. At the start, remove the negative battery cable and empty the cooling system to bring the coolant down beneath the thermostat. If the vehicle has air conditioning, take out the support bracket behind the generator. Then pull the belt and the generator by removing the two bolts, leaving all wiring in place. It is necessary to empty wire the 4wd light system for 4wd vehicles. Loose the clamp and hose connected to the thermostat housing, lean the harness behind that housing and proceed to move the thermostat housing aside. Take out the thermostat housing bolts, the housing, the gasket and the thermostat, throwing out the old gasket. Cleans the areas where the intake manifold and thermostat housing meet, then install the thermostat (Spring down) into its recessed space on the intake manifold, putting the gasket on last. Remove the intake manifold cover, put the housing for the thermostat on the manifold and make sure the word Front is in front of the vehicle, while tilting the housing marginally forward after fixing it. Fix the two bolts between the housing and the intake manifold, making certain they are tightened to 23 Nm (200 in. lbs.) and the housing is evenly arranged so that the thermostat is halfway in the intake. Secure the ending of the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing once more. After air conditioning is installed, install the generator, tighten the bolts to 30 ft. lbs. torque, put in the support bracket and tighten those bolts to 40 ft. lbs. torque. Place the serpentine accessory drive belt properly and ensure the belt length fits to avoid problems with overheating. Add coolant to the system, attach the negative battery cable, start the engine and watch for leaks.