Ram 5.7Hemi Coolant Flush DIY

Jwithing · Mar 17, 2018

I can always pull into the garage for topping off. Rather flush in the driveway in case of spillage.

Hemi395 · Mar 17, 2018

Yeah that would be the best case scenario. Nose up to bleed, level to fill.

Jwithing · Mar 17, 2018

If I can find the drivers side plug, I'll probably find something to get at it with. I've got extensions and angled adapters out the *****. I'm probably going to tackle this at the end of next week or next weekend.

Hemi395 · Mar 18, 2018

Jwithing said:
If I can find the drivers side plug, I'll probably find something to get at it with. I've got extensions and angled adapters out the *****. I'm probably going to tackle this at the end of next week or next weekend.

If you figure out how to get it out, please post what tools you used. Taking the driver's wheel well liner out might give you a better angle...

R.L.K. · Mar 18, 2018

Hemi395 said:
It could make the intial bleeding of air a lot easier if the front of the truck is pointed up. But it really should be level when filling it up.

Funny you say that Sir , I usually run the rear end up on ramps while drianing and the front up on ramps while filling and burping .
Final filling can be done hot or cold on level ground via the coolant reservoir.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

LeesEvoX · Mar 18, 2018

So question. Since its a ***** to get to the block drains. Could we not simply remove the Tstat, hook everything back up and run a drain to a pan? While just constantly running water through it?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

R.L.K. · Mar 18, 2018

I've done this before :
Drain the radiator .
Remove T stat
Turn heat on high
Run Engine for a few min
... Repeat....
. .. Repeat....
& Repeat untill only absolutely clean distilled water is being drained at the radiator .
After the final drain , close the valve , install new T-stat fill the radiator with the proper coolant @ 100% coolant then burp the system very well via adding Coolant only .

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

S0CAL · Mar 18, 2018

R.L.K. said:
I've done this before :
Drain the radiator .
Remove T stat
Turn heat on high
Run Engine for a few min
... Repeat....
. .. Repeat....
& Repeat untill only absolutely clean distilled water is being drained at the radiator .
After the final drain , close the valve , install new T-stat fill the radiator with the proper coolant @ 100% coolant then burp the system very well via adding Coolant only .

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

@R.L.K., if after final flush w/distilled water, you apply 100% coolant, how do you insure you reached 50-70% coolant in the system? I am intrigued, since this is so easy in process AND I am literally about to start.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

R.L.K. · Mar 18, 2018

S0CAL said:
@R.L.K., if after final flush w/distilled water, you apply 100% coolant, how do you insure you reached 50-70% coolant in the system? I am intrigued, since this is so easy in process AND I am literally about to start. View attachment 123063

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry , I'd Test it when you're done if more coolant is desired then drain the radiator fully or partially and add coolant or distilled water as desired based on your environment [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Hemi395 · Mar 18, 2018

Just tested my coolant again and it was still 45/55 so I drained out another quart and filled with another quart if concentrate. Looks like this isn't going to be a quick process to get back to 50/50...

R.L.K. · Mar 18, 2018

Is this petcock a 1/4 or 1/2 turn valve ? Are you sure you turn it multiple times?

You may have deris stuck in the drain , with the tube attached try to blow compressed air in the valve in an attempt to dislodge debris , if no compressed air available use a turkey baster or your mouth .
Make sure you have the cap off as the system is closed and needs a vent or pressure to drain .
Also you may try this :
With the cap on and valve open and T stat removed ....
Start the engine and try to blow the debris out .

Hope this helps !

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Hemi395 · Mar 18, 2018

R.L.K. said:
Is this petcock a 1/4 or 1/2 turn valve ? Are you sure you turn it multiple times?

You may have deris stuck in the drain , with the tube attached try to blow compressed air in the valve in an attempt to dislodge debris , if no compressed air available use a turkey baster or your mouth .
Make sure you have the cap off as the system is closed and needs a vent or pressure to drain .
Also you may try this :
With the cap on and valve open and T stat removed ....
Start the engine and try to blow the debris out .

Hope this helps !

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

The petcock is deceiving. It's more like a 2/3 turn. It feels like you're going to break it but it comes out of the radiator quite a bit as you turn it. Initially I turned it 1/4 turn and nothing came out. It felt like it had bottomed out but I took a chance and gently kept turning and eventually it started draining. Talk about nerve racking...

S0CAL · Mar 18, 2018

Done with mine. Flushed until clear, swapped to 180T and still running a little light on Coolant so I will partially drain and get to 50/50. Good thing I swapped Tstats, this one was toast. But it's Beer:30 now.

Thanks @Hemi395 and @R.L.K. for the help. I opted not to unhook the heater hoses or lower radiator hose. I also did not mess with the L/R block drains. I simply flushed over and over until nothing but clear came out (thanks RLK). I then added 100% coolant. I am also about 40/60, Hemi395.

S0CAL · Mar 18, 2018

R.L.K. said:
Is this petcock a 1/4 or 1/2 turn valve ? Are you sure you turn it multiple times?

You may have deris stuck in the drain , with the tube attached try to blow compressed air in the valve in an attempt to dislodge debris , if no compressed air available use a turkey baster or your mouth .
Make sure you have the cap off as the system is closed and needs a vent or pressure to drain .
Also you may try this :
With the cap on and valve open and T stat removed ....
Start the engine and try to blow the debris out .

Hope this helps !

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I fixed it, it is about a 1/4 turn but then a PULL. I had to do that a couple times, and eventually it got easier. Cheers!

Hemi395 · Mar 18, 2018

Glad we could help! Probably the best and definitely the least messiest way to go. If there wasn't a question of what coolant I had that's how I would've flushed mine.

You definitely have to let it mix for awhile before you get an accurate reading on antifreeze concentration. After my flush I drained 2 quarts out of the radiator and poured 2 quqrts of concentrate in. I checked it several days later after a few drives where the tstat opened and it showed it was a little too strong like 60/40. Then I checked it today and it showed more like 40-45/60-55. So it must take a many cycles through the block and heater core to get thoroughly mixed.

R.L.K. · Mar 18, 2018

Glad we could help Sir & most of all glad it all worked out for you !

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Hemi395 · Mar 18, 2018

@S0CAL was that the original tstat? Looks like the seal was coming off?

S0CAL · Mar 18, 2018

Hemi395 said:
@S0CAL was that the original tstat? Looks like the seal was coming off?

Yeah, that thing was on its last leg. Good thing I replaced it anyway.

R.L.K. · Mar 18, 2018

S0CAL said:
Yeah, that thing was on its last leg. Good thing I replaced it anyway.

How many miles and what year is your Ram Sir ?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

S0CAL · Mar 18, 2018

2010, 127K. She’s doing pretty good, I must say.

Ram 5.7Hemi Coolant Flush DIY

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

US Marine Veteran

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

US Marine Veteran

US Marine Veteran

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

US Marine Veteran

Senior Member

US Marine Veteran

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page