COOLANT
DESCRIPTION
CAUTION: Use of Propylene Glycol based coolants
is not recommended, as they provide less freeze
protection and less corrosion protection. Do not
mix coolant types. If coolant other than Mopar
T
Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or
equivalent is added, the mixed coolant will have a
reduced service schedule.
The use of aluminum cylinder heads, and water
pumps requires special corrosion protection. Mopar
t
Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or
equivalent ethylene glycol based coolant with corro-
sion inhibitors (called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology) is recommended. This coolant
offers the best engine cooling without corrosion when
mixed with 50% Ethylene Glycol and 50% distilled
water to obtain a freeze point of -37°C (-35°F). If it
loses color or becomes contaminated, drain, flush,
and replace with fresh properly mixed coolant solu-
tion. Mixing of coolants other than specified (non-
HOAT), will reduce the 5 year/100,000 mile corrosion
protection.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - COOLANT
CONCENTRATION TESTING
Coolant concentration should be checked when any
additional coolant was added to system or after a
coolant drain, flush and refill. The coolant mixture
offers optimum engine cooling and protection against
corrosion when mixed to a freeze point of -37°C
(-34°F) to -46°C (-50°F). The use of a hydrometer or a
refractometer can be used to test coolant concentra-
tion.
A hydrometer will test the amount of glycol in a
mixture by measuring the specific gravity of the mix-
ture. The higher the concentration of ethylene glycol,
the larger the number of balls that will float, and
higher the freeze protection (up to a maximum of
60% by volume glycol).
A refractometer (Special Tool 8286)(Refer to 7 -
COOLING - SPECIAL TOOLS) will test the amount
of glycol in a coolant mixture by measuring the
amount a beam of light bends as it passes through
the fluid.
Some coolant manufactures use other types of gly-
cols into their coolant formulations. Propylene glycol
is the most common new coolant. However, propylene
glycol based coolants do not provide the same freez-
ing protection and corrosion protection and is not rec-
ommended.
CAUTION: Do not mix types of coolant—corrosion
protection will be severely reduced.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLANT SERVICE
For engine coolant recommended service schedule,
(Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/MAIN-
TENANCE SCHEDULES - DESCRIPTION).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ROUTINE COOLANT
LEVEL CHECK
NOTE: Do not remove pressure cap for routine
coolant level inspections.
The coolant recovery/reserve system provides a
quick visual method for determining the coolant level
without removing the radiator cap. Simply observe,
with the engine idling and warmed up to normal
operating temperature, that the level of the coolant
in the recovery/reserve container is between the
FULL HOT and ADD marks (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6 Coolant Level
1 - COOLANT RECOVERY CONTAINER
7 - 18
ENGINE - 1.6L SOHC
PT