Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 251
When engine is cooling down, coolant will be drawn
into the radiator from the reserve/overflow tank.
(5) Add coolant to reserve/overflow tank as neces-
sary. Only add coolant to the reserve/overflow
tank when the engine is cold. Coolant level in a
warm engine will be higher due to thermal
expansion.
STANDARD PROCEDURE—ADDING
ADDITIONAL COOLANT
The use of aluminum cylinder blocks, cylinder
heads and water pumps requires special corrosion
protection.
Only
Mopar
t Antifreeze/Coolant, 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula (glycol base coolant with
corrosion inhibitors called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology) is recommended. This coolant
offers the best engine cooling without corrosion when
mixed with 50% distilled water to obtain a freeze
point of -37°C (-35°F). If it loses color or becomes con-
taminated, drain, flush, and replace with fresh prop-
erly mixed coolant solution.
CAUTION: Do not use coolant additives that are
claimed to improve engine cooling.
STANDARD PROCEDURE—COOLANT LEVEL
CHECK
NOTE: Do not remove radiator cap for routine cool-
ant level inspections. The coolant level can be
checked at coolant recovery bottle (Fig. 12).
The coolant reserve/overflow system provides a
quick method for determining coolant level without
removing radiator pressure cap. With engine not run-
ning, open the coolant recovery bottle cap and
remove coolant level indicator dipstick to observe
coolant level in coolant recovery bottle. The coolant
level should be between ADD and FULL marks. If
the coolant level is at or below the ADD mark, fill
the recovery bottle with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze
and water ONE QUART AT A TIME. Repeat this pro-
cedure until the coolant level is at the FULL mark.
STANDARD PROCEDURE—COOLING SYSTEM
CLEANING/REVERSE FLUSHING
CLEANING
Drain cooling system and refill with water. Run
engine with radiator cap installed until upper radia-
tor hose is hot. Stop engine and drain water from
system. If water is dirty, fill system with water, run
engine and drain system. Repeat until water drains
clean.
REVERSE FLUSHING
Reverse flushing of cooling system is the forcing of
water through the cooling system. This is done using
air pressure in the opposite direction of normal cool-
ant flow. It is usually only necessary with very dirty
systems with evidence of partial plugging.
REVERSE FLUSHING RADIATOR
Disconnect radiator hoses from radiator inlet and
outlet. Attach a section of radiator hose to radiator
bottom outlet fitting and insert flushing gun. Con-
nect a water supply hose and air supply hose to
flushing gun.
CAUTION:
Internal
radiator
pressure
must
not
exceed 138 kPa (20 psi) as damage to radiator may
result.
Allow radiator to fill with water. When radiator is
filled, apply air in short blasts. Allow radiator to
refill between blasts. Continue this reverse flushing
until clean water flows out through rear of radiator
cooling tube passages. Have radiator cleaned more
extensively by a radiator repair shop.
REVERSE FLUSHING ENGINE
Drain cooling system. Remove thermostat housing
and thermostat. Install thermostat housing. Discon-
nect radiator upper hose from radiator and attach
flushing gun to hose. Disconnect radiator lower hose
Fig. 12 Coolant Recovery Bottle Location
1 - RADIATOR
2 - WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR
3 - COOLANT OVERFLOW/RESERVOIR
4 - FAN SHROUD (UPPER)
5 - SCREW
6 - INTERLOCKING PINS
7 - FAN SHROUD (LOWER)
7 - 16
COOLING
AN
COOLING (Continued)