OEM 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Radiator

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Radiator Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Properly Remove and Install a Radiator on 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?

  A: Before removing the radiator, remove the negative battery cable, drain the cooling system and don't pull the drain plugs or loosen the drain cock on the radiator if the system is still hot or under pressure, as it could cause a burn. Wear safety glasses and make sure to have the right tools when you work on constant tension hose clamps. Always use clamps from the manufacturer when replacing ones marked with numbers or letters. Now, undo the clamps and remove both the hoses from the radiator, take off the coolant reserve/overflow tank hose from the radiator filler neck and remove the coolant reserve/overflow tank (5.9L) or coolant degas container (3.7L/4.7L) from the fan shroud. Lift off the power steering hoses from the fan shroud, remove the connectors from the windshield washer reservoir tank and take out the tank. Take off the bolts holding the shroud to the radiator and lift and pull the shroud up so it rests backward over the fan inside the engine compartment. Break the connection from the power steering lines and cooler, securing both lines with plugs; then take off the two top bolts securing the radiator to the engine. Lift the radiator straight and gently, so you don't accidentally harm any of the tubes or cooling fins. Clean your radiator fins by spraying cold water and blowing air through the fins, carefully look for cracks in the side tanks, fittings, leakage signs and examine the core for any corrosion or damaged cooling fins or tubes. When placing the fan shroud, make sure fan blades are on the bottom, fix the rubber insulators at the radiator's lower mounting features and guide the dowel as the radiator descends and sits on the bracket. Secure the lower radiator support bracket to the lower radiator closure tube, put the upper radiator mounting bolts in and tighten them to 8.5 Nm (75 inch lbs.), clip the lower radiator hose on and tighten it and match the power steering hoses to the power steering oil cooler. Attach the cooler lines to the transmission oil cooler and set each secondary latch after that. Then, place the fan shroud into the clips on the radiator tanks and secure them with bolts, tightening the bolts to 8.5 Nm (75 inch lbs.). Clip the power steering hoses onto the lower fan shroud, set the windshield washer reservoir tank in place and attach the hose and connector to the reservoir tank. Next, fit the coolant reserve/overflow container or degas container onto the fan shroud, secure the bolts to 8.5 Nm (75 inch lbs.), link up the upper radiator hose and clamp it, attach the battery negative cable, top up the cooling system with coolant fluid and run the engine until its temperature reaches normal levels, checking the fluid level of the cooling system at this point.