I Need pointers on flushing coolant.

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Chrismb5.7

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So I bought an 04 single cab Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi about 6 months ago. To be honest, I've never owned anything like this and the most I've done to it so far was new exhaust system (headers, pipes, etc..) and of course the oil change. My fan clutch went out so I pulled it and now I wanna go a bit deeper such as checking my water pump (it's a bit noisy). Not sure if the coolant in this thing has ever been replaced and I've never messed with a motor like this, but I'm fairly certain that you have to drain the coolant to remove the water pump... Correct? Can anybody tell me how to COMPLETELY drain the coolant from this motor? I have looked everywhere and I cannot find anything that tells me how to do this on this model truck. I've flushed the radiator, so I need to know how to get it out of the block. Also I already have the 5 gallons of Zerex G-05 (HOAT) 50-50 coolant. Any help is greatly appreciated.
(Yes I have done a coolant flush to multiple vehicles, but there's so much going on with these Hemi's that I just need some reassurance and pointers.)
 
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Chrismb5.7

Chrismb5.7

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Thanks for the reply man! Getting the pump off isn't a big deal really, I'm looking to completely drain this thing. So far the only other thing I've figured out is that there are two drain plugs on the driver and passenger sides "approximately 2 inches above the oil pan". I cannot find a clear description or picture for where they are actually located. I've looked and there are so many different bolts above and around the pan. Any pictures or a good description on where these plugs are would be great at this point. Thanks!
 

ST-8

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If you get under the truck an look at the bottom of the radiator you’ll see a drain plug I think it’s on the drivers side but it’s been a while since I’ve done mine.
 
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Chrismb5.7

Chrismb5.7

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Yes, I've flushed the radiator but I cannot seem to locate the 2 coolant drain plugs on both sides of the block itself. I wanna do a full flush.
 

Brando_SLT

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Bumping this up - I am also having trouble locating the drain plugs on the block. Doing a thermostat and CHT sensor replacement and draining the radiator only I've gotten maybe a gallon out of the system - which doesn't seem right if the "full flush" calls for a hair over 4 gallons.

5.7L Drain Plugs.JPG
 

Bloody_Knuckles

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If you remove the thermostat with the drain open, the vast majority of the coolant will come out by itself.
 

Brando_SLT

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Well, I found the plugs. The driver's side one is inaccessible behind the starter. After draining each side I must have got nearly a gallon out of each side. I think in total I have reclaimed 3.5 gallons even after draining the reservoir. I can't find where that missing half-gallon could be. Maybe the heater core? I dunno.
 

Marley

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I have always run my vehicles up to temp with heater running ,fill cap off while draining......gets about all of it.
 

Brando_SLT

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I have always run my vehicles up to temp with heater running ,fill cap off while draining......gets about all of it.

Yep, took that approach first but there was about 1 gallon that came out of the drain plugs on each side. Turns out my system was about a half gallon low. I used a vacuum filler tool and it worked great, got a hair under 4 gallons in when all done.
 
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