How do you replace the thermostat on a Dodge Ram?
Figure 1. The radiator drain plug. To reach the thermostat, you must remove the hose neck from the engine. Two bolts hold it in place. Once it’s removed, the thermostat will slide out. Figure 2. The red circle indicates the position of the hose filler neck on the 5.7 engine. Figure 3. A diagram of the 5.7 thermostat.
What causes a Dodge Ram engine to overheat?
The thermostat blocks the coolant from flowing into the radiator as the engine is warming. A fault with the thermostat can cause reduced engine performance and overheating, typically seen on the instrument gauge panel. This article applies to the Dodge Ram 3rd Generation (2002-2008).
How do you remove the radiator cap on a Dodge Ram?
Remove the radiator cap by pushing it down, and then twisting it counterclockwise. At the driver’s side bottom corner of the radiator is a drain blocked by a plug. Turn this plug counterclockwise with a 3/4″ wrench after you place a drain pan beneath it.
What kind of coolant do I need for my thermostat?
The red arrow points to the slot in the hose filler neck that fits to the thermostat O-ring. You will need about three gallons of 50/50 mixed coolant to fill the cooling system. For trucks using HOAT coolant, be sure to use the same type.
Figure 1. The radiator drain plug. To reach the thermostat, you must remove the hose neck from the engine. Two bolts hold it in place. Once it’s removed, the thermostat will slide out. Figure 2. The red circle indicates the position of the hose filler neck on the 5.7 engine. Figure 3. A diagram of the 5.7 thermostat.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in a car?
Thermostat Housing Replacement Cost Estimates The average cost for a Thermostat Housing Replacement is between $251 and $285 but can vary from car to car. Get back on the road
When do I need to replace my thermostat housing?
If the thermostat housing has warped, cracked, or leaked with no other issues to the cooling system, it can be replaced easily by nearly anyone who follows proper safety, replacement, and bleeding procedures.
Where does the coolant go when the thermostat is opened?
This allows the coolant to circulate through the engine, but not to the radiator. When the temperature of the engine increases to the top of its operating range, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to travel to the radiator, where the fluid is cooled down before returning to the engine. The thermostat housing is where the thermostat is held.
Do you need a bleed valve on a thermostat?
Some thermostats come with an air bleed valve and notch at the edge of the diaphragm. The notch must be filed into the new thermostat to look like the factory thermostat for proper fitment with the O-ring. The bleed valve is not required; although, it does make bleeding the cooling system of air easier.
What should I do when I replace my radiator?
With all the hoses and bolts attached, fill the new radiator with coolant. Check oil and transmission fluid levels in case any was lost during the installation. This is an excellent time to flush your coolant system and replace the old coolant with new coolant.
What do you do when the radiator cap is removed?
Once the cap is removed, you can either open the petcock valve or remove the bottom radiator hose to drain the coolant. Drain the coolant into a plastic reservoir. With the coolant drained, you can start removing hoses, clamps and the radiator bolts keeping the radiator in place.
The red arrow points to the slot in the hose filler neck that fits to the thermostat O-ring. You will need about three gallons of 50/50 mixed coolant to fill the cooling system. For trucks using HOAT coolant, be sure to use the same type.