OEM 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Radiator

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Radiator Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain a Radiator in a 5.9L Diesel Engine on 2003 Dodge Ram 2500?

  A: When servicing the radiator on a 5.9L diesel engine, start by removing the two battery negative cables and draining the cooling liquid. Don't remove the drain plugs or radiator draincock until the cooling system is no longer under pressure and has cooled so you avoid being burned by the coolant. Areas that require constant tension hose clamps should be separated from the rest of the setup using special clamp tool number 6094 and larger clamps should be served with Snap-On clamp tool number HPC-20. Erase the air box, turbocharger inlet tube, coolant tank hose, washer bottle hose and positive battery cable from the top fastening clips on the radiator. After that, separate the hoses and hose clamps from the radiator, then remove the bolts holding the power steering cooler in place and move it out of your way. Cut the transmission cooler lines at the transmission, so the cooler remains hooked to the radiator to be removed together. Unscrew both upper radiator mounting bolts, disconnect the wires going to the electronic viscous fan and then remove the lower shroud assembly from the upper shroud assembly. Use care to raise the radiator up and out of the vehicle, so you do not harm the fins or tubes. Use cold water and compressed air to wash the radiator fins and watch for signs of damage, cracks or leakage in the side tanks and core. To install, add rubber insulators on the bottom alignment dowels next to the radiator, carefully place the radiator in position and insert the dowels into the lower mounting hole. Tighten the upper bolts to 11 Nm (95 in. lbs.). Next, link the radiator hoses together and put on the clamps to secure them, after that, attach the transmission cooler hoses to the radiator tank, with the quick connect fittings properly cleaned and locked in place. On the notches of the radiator, place the power steering cooler and secure it with nuts tightened to 8.5 Nm (75 in. lbs.), attach the electrical fan wiring to the upper shroud end pieces and set the lower shroud in place. Put the coolant recovery tank hose, washer bottle hose and positive battery cable into the top clips on the radiator, then install the air box and turbocharger inlet hose with correctly tightened clamps, set the heater controls to maximum heat, fill the coolant tank, start the engine and watch the temperature until it is normal.