Cooling system, Engine coolant checks – Ram Trucks 2014 Chassis Cab Commercial - Diesel Supplement User Manual

Page 114

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Cooling System

WARNING!

You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.

Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every

12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where

applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or

rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,

flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of

the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any

accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently

spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the

face of the A/C condenser (if equipped) or the back of the

radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,

cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the

coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire

system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but

not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for

proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of

engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.

The radiator drain cock is located in the lower radiator

tank. If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant

(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant expan-

sion bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRES-

SURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.

112 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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