OEM 2005 Dodge Dakota Radiator

2005 Dodge Dakota Radiator Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Radiator on 2005 Dodge Dakota?

  A: The first step to repair or service the radiator is to first remove the battery negative cable and let the cooling system drain. After that, pull out the pushpins and the upper condenser/radiator seal before you remove the upper hose from the radiator. Unlink the hoses to the power steering fluid/transmission cooler and get rid of the overflow tube. Remove the radiator fan shroud, sticking it to the front of the radiator, before raising the vehicle. Unplug the power steering cooler lines and take out the lower radiator hose before lowering your vehicle. Take out the bolts holding the upper radiator and take both the radiator and the power steering fluid/transmission oil cooler out. After your engine has cooled, use cold water and compressed air at the back of the radiator to remove all the trapped debris. Check the radiator cooling fins for any signs of damage, since bent or crushed fins may allow the system to overheat. Inspect the plastic tanks at the ends of the coolant pipe for damage, cracks or leaks and look for any signs of distortion in the radiator neck. Once you start installing, insert the radiator's two isolator pins into the holes of the bracket. Attach the power steering cooler and transmission oil cooler, if you took them out and insert the upper radiator mount. Make sure the isolator pins are put into their alignment holes. First, tighten each upper radiator support bolt to 23 Nm (200 inch lbs.), then install the radiator side seals, upper radiator hose, overflow tube, the shroud and lines for the power steering, transmission and LH and RH coolers. Drop the vehicle, pour in the radiator fluid, attach the battery negative cable and drive the vehicle while observing its condition.