OEM 2002 Dodge Dakota Radiator

2002 Dodge Dakota Radiator Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Radiator on 2002 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Don't begin servicing or repairing the radiator until the cylinder block drain plugs are secured and the radiator draincock is still closed, so no pressure or coolant can escape. Start by unplugging the battery's negative cable and then release all the pressure in the heating system. Both a special clamp tool (number 6094) and a Snap-On clamp tool (number HPC-20) for large clamps are suitable for this purpose and safety glasses should always be used. In case of replacing constant tension clamps, use genuine equipment clamps that have the same numbers or letters as the tongue. After that, remove both the hose clamps and hoses attached to the radiator, unplug the hose connecting the coolant reserve/overflow tank and disconnect the hose from the washer bottle electrical system. Pull out the upper fan shroud assembly by releasing the screws in the shroud's upper mounting area and removing it from the engine compartment. If your car has a transmission oil cooler, disconnect that hose and the connector for the electric cooling fan. Taking care not to bend the cooling fins, remove the screws on the upper radiator mounting bracket and lift the radiator straight up. Run a spray of cold water over the fins while blowing some compressed air to remove any contaminants. Inspect the fins inside the radiator for damage or wear, ensure they are not bent or broken and check both the plastic end tanks and the radiator neck for any damage. Position the radiator so the bottom isolator pins in each tank are in the center holes in the radiator support. Tighten the radiator bolts to 23 Nm (200 inch lbs.), install the transmission oil cooler lines if you have them and join the fan motor's electrical wiring to the harness. Simply place the upper shroud on the product, fix it with the supplied retaining screws and attach the radiator hose and coolant reserve tank hose. Then, link up the negatives wires, top up the cooling liquids, turn the engine on and warm it and make sure to check for any leaks.