Cooling System - Draining and Filling

WARNING: Do not remove the cylinder block drain plugs or coolant pressure bottle cap, or loosen the radiator draincock, with the system hot and under pressure because serious burns from the coolant can occur.

COOLING SYSTEM DRAINING

NOTE: When servicing the cooling system, it is essential that coolant does not drip onto the accessory drive belt and/or pulleys. Protect the belt with shop towels before working on the cooling system. If coolant contacts the belt or pulley, flush them with clean water.

Fig. 18 Radiator Drain And Drain Hose:

1. Attach one end of a 6.35 mm (1/4 in.) ID hose, that is approximately 914 mm (36 in.) long, to radiator drain. Place the other end of the hose in a clean container with a capacity of at least three gallons.
2. Open radiator drain.

Fig. 19 Coolant Pressure Bottle Cap - Early:

3. Remove coolant pressure bottle cap and let radiator drain.

Fig. 21 3.0L Engine Cylinder Block Drain Plug Left Side:

Fig. 22 3.0L Engine Cylinder Block Drain Plug Right Side:

4. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN, remove the cylinder block drain plugs. Remove the drain plug located behind and below each exhaust manifold.
5. Drain engine.

CAUTION: The cooling system normally operates at 108-140 kPa (16-20 psi) pressure. Exceeding this pressure may damage the radiator or hoses.

REFILLING COOLING SYSTEM

NOTE: Use Mopar All Season Coolant, or an equivalent coolant containing ALUGARD 340-2.

1. Close radiator drain.
2. Remove drain hose.

CAUTION: The gaskets copper colored washer on the cylinder block drain plugs MUST be replaced each time the drain plugs are removed.

3. Install the cylinder block drain plugs with new gaskets.

WARNING: When installing drain hose to air bleed valve on thermostat housing, route hose away from accessory drive belt, accessory drive pulleys, and electric cooling fan.

Fig. 24 Air Bleed Valve On Thermostat Housing:

4. Attach one end of a 6.35 mm (.250 in.) ID clear hose that approximately 1219 mm (48 in.) long, to the bleed valve on the thermostat housing. Route the hose away from the accessory drive belt, drive pulleys and electric cooling fan. Place the other end of hose into a clean container. The hose will prevent coolant from contacting the accessory drive belt when bleeding the system during the refilling operation.
5. Open bleed valve.

Fig. 23 Filling Cooling System - Early:

6. Slowly fill coolant pressure bottle until a steady stream of coolant flows from hose attached to the bleed valve.
7. Close bleed valve and continue filling to the full mark of the coolant pressure bottle. The full mark is the top of the post inside the bottle.
8. Install cap tightly on coolant pressure bottle.
9. Remove hose from bleed valve.
10. Start and run engine until the upper radiator hose is warm to the touch.
11. Turn engine off.
12. Reattach drain hose to bleed valve on thermostat housing. Route hose away from the accessory drive belt, accessory drive pulleys, and electric cooling fan.
13. Open bleed valve until a steady stream of coolant flows from the hose.
14. Close bleed valve and remove hose.
15. Ensure that coolant level in coolant pressure bottle is at or slightly above the full mark at the top of the post inside the coolant pressure bottle. The full mark on the coolant pressure bottle Is the correct coolant level for a cold engine. A hot engine will normally have a coolant level higher than the full mark.