OEM 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Radiator

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Radiator Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain a Radiator for 3.7L/4.7L/5.7L Engines on 2004 Dodge Ram 1500?

  A: You should begin by removing the negative battery terminals before servicing the radiator of 3.7L/4.7L/5.7L engines. Cool the engine before draining the liquid from the cooling system, as removing the drain plugs while it is hot sets the liquid inside under pressure and can cause injury by burning. Work with hose removal tools and protective eyewear whenever you are installing or unhooking hoses. If old clamps are to be replaced, use ones that correspond to the original unit in letter or number. Lift away the hose clamps of the load, as well as the hoses and remove the coolant reserve/overflow tank hose from where it is attached to the radiator filler neck. Pull the coolant reserve/overflow tank up out of the fan shroud and then unclip the power steering hoses there as well. Separate the wires from the windshield washer reservoir and take away the tank. Unscrew the shroud-mounting bolts and pull on the shroud so it rises out from the tank clips and falls over the fan blades next to the engine. First, separate the transmission cooler lines from the cooler and plug the lines and cooler to stop leaks and next, do the same for the power steering lines. Unscrew the two upper radiator mounting bolts and then lift the radiator straight away from the engine compartment, trying not to injure any fins or tubes. If the radiator fins are dirty, wash them with cold water and use compressed air to make sure heat transfers well. Examine the radiator side tanks for cracks and faulty fittings, check for leaks where the tanks meet the radiator core and check both the cooling fins and tubes for damage. When you install, place the fan shroud overtop of the fan blades towards the engine, fit rubber insulators on the bottom area of the radiator and guide the radiator into position with the dowel in the top bracket. Place the lower radiator support bracket onto the lower radiator tube and install and tighten the upper radiator attachments to 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.). Plug in the lower radiator hose and its clamp, hook the power steering hoses to the oil cooler and link the cooling lines to the cooling unit for the transmission. Slide the fan shroud into the grommets on the radiator tanks and apply bolts, fastening them to 8.5 Nm (75 inch lbs.). Clamp the power steering hoses to the clip on the lower fan shroud, assemble the windshield washer reservoir tank with its hose and electrical connector and screw the coolant reserve/overflow container hose(s) into the radiator filler neck. Put the reserve/overflow container under the fan shroud, fasten the bolts to 8.5 Nm (75 inch lbs.), add the upper radiator hose and clamp it, reinstall the battery negative cable, top the cooling system with coolant, then run the engine until it gets to normal operating temperature while checking the fluid levels.