2016 2500 6.4L Engine Coolant Drain and fill Questions.

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Zoe Saldana

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I'm coming up on 100K miles on my 2500 6.4l and want to do a engine coolant drain and fill.

1. The manual says the capacity is 16.6 quarts. But I've read with a drain and fill you only can do 12 quarts or 3 gallons. Is that correct?

2. Brand - I know I need HOAT - MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 50/50 Prediluted MS.90032. Are there other brands that meet that specification I can find at an Auto Parts store?

Thanks
 

crazy jerry

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not sure of the capacity but if i recall there was a small nipple on the radiator bottom driver side. hook a small hose to it and open the valve into a bucket. wouldnt hurt to pop the heater core hoses off and flush it with a garden hose or something. then refill everything with a vacuum tool
 

crash68

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Brand - I know I need HOAT - MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 50/50 Prediluted MS.90032.
You might want to double check this, pretty sure FCA switched everything over to OAT by 2014 model year. The Mopar Purple Kool-Aid is notorious for changing to a orangish-rose over time. Mixing HOAT and OAT coolants will cause gelling in the coolant passages.
Any OAT coolant will work but mixing a different color colored coolant with the Mopar Purple causes it to look like brown mud.
 
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Zoe Saldana

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You might want to double check this, pretty sure FCA switched everything over to OAT by 2014 model year. The Mopar Purple Kool-Aid is notorious for changing to a orangish-rose over time. Mixing HOAT and OAT coolants will cause gelling in the coolant passages.
Any OAT coolant will work but mixing a different color colored coolant with the Mopar Purple causes it to look like brown mud.
My truck came with HOAT, the manual says HOAT.

Mixing HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) and OAT (Organic Acid Technology) antifreeze is generally not recommended and can lead to several issues, including the formation of a slushy, gel-like consistency that can severely damage the cooling system and engine. This is because they have different chemical compositions and can react negatively when mixed.

Here's why mixing is problematic:
In short, mixing HOAT and OAT antifreeze is not recommended and can lead to expensive repairs. If you accidentally mix them, consult a professional mechanic to have the cooling system flushed and refilled with the correct type of coolant.






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Zoe Saldana

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From the owners manual:
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant is different and should not be mixed with Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compatible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling system in an emergency, the cooling system will need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
OAT for your ram.
 

crash68

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My truck came with HOAT, the manual says HOAT.
Per the 2016 Ram Owner's manuals, both gas and diesel:
Screenshot_20250511-164505.png

Screenshot_20250511-164946.png
OAT is the only 10 year/150K mile coolant from Mopar, the HOAT coolant is a 5 year/100K mile.
Even both the EcoDiesel and Cummins that year use the Purple Kool-Aid OAT.
Mopar OAT is MS-90032
Mopar HOAT is MS-9769
 
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BossHogg

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From what I've read HOAT was/is? used for HD engines and OAT for others. Your 5.7L is not HD.
I would sure like to know what you read. I have a 2015 3500 Cummins; the owner's manual calls for MS-90032 OAT.

From what I've read over the years on the (why is this) confusing subject of coolant type, RAM has used OAT in all truck models and engines from the Cummins to the Penistar since the 2013 model year. Why folks have such a difficult time referencing their owner's manual to find the correct coolant type has got to be the eighth wonder of the world.
 

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Why folks have such a difficult time referencing their owner's manual to find the correct … has got to be the eighth wonder of the world.
There I fixed your line for you. Replace those dots with just about anything and we have the end of all message boards everywhere.
 

Daw14

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OAT for all rams 2014 and above , plus most every 2013. All engines.


It’s true . We do not need people goofing up their cooling systems.
 

crash68

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OAT for all rams 2014 and above , plus most every 2013. All engines.
There's some Jeep owners that depending on which model and when it was built will determine if it uses OAT or HOAT. If memory serves me correctly there were mid-model year changes with the coolant. What compounds the issue is the Purple Kool-Aid color change to orangish-rose.
The Mopar Purple Kool-Aid is actually colored to be purple as the original OAT formula was orange in color.
 
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Zoe Saldana

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I can't find the page that specifically talks about RAM. But it specifically, mentioned the 6.4L vs the 5.7L

HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) is a type of coolant used in heavy-duty trucks and diesel engines2345. It is not compatible with OAT (Organic Acid Technology) or NOAT (Nitrite Organic Acid Technology) coolants2. HOAT coolants use a mix of organic and inorganic additives and have moderate maintenance requirements4




I would sure like to know what you read. I have a 2015 3500 Cummins; the owner's manual calls for MS-90032 OAT.

From what I've read over the years on the (why is this) confusing subject of coolant type, RAM has used OAT in all truck models and engines from the Cummins to the Penistar since the 2013 model year. Why folks have such a difficult time referencing their owner's manual to find the correct coolant type has got to be the eighth wonder of the world.
l
 

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My 700 page printed manual for my 14,says OAT in both 5.7 and 6.4 trucks.
Highly doubt they went back to Hoat for the 16's
Think i'd trust the factory manuals over anything you'll find online,like Bing.
 
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Zoe Saldana

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Here is something you will not often read on Ramforum.com:

1. I AM WRONG. MY TRUCK USES OAT NOT HOAT.

2. THANK YOU ALL WHO PUSHED BACK AND MADE LOOK A THE BOTTLE I BOUGHT AT THE DEALER IN 2016.


3. Can anyone tell me how many quarts/gallons I need for a drain and refill.

4. Are there good off the shelf alternatives to the MOPAR brand?

In 2016 I went to the dealer to get a bottle of antifreeze to top off the fluid. I was aware of the HOAT/OAT issue and they gave me MS12106 which is purple. This was replaced by MS 90032 which is purple.

Thanks again for pushing back,
 

Daw14

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I am happy for you that you did not create a lot of unnecessary problems.

Damn old people are thick headed !!! Jk.

Let us know how much fluid you get in , I’ve got to change mine this summer .
 
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Zoe Saldana

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I am happy for you that you did not create a lot of unnecessary problems.

Damn old people are thick headed !!! Jk.

Let us know how much fluid you get in , I’ve got to change mine this summer .
On Youtube I saw there is a bleeder valve on the block near the thermostat for the 5.7. I have to look to see if there is one for the 6.4L.
 

Wild one

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On Youtube I saw there is a bleeder valve on the block near the thermostat for the 5.7. I have to look to see if there is one for the 6.4L.
You should be able to get at the pass side block drain,drivers side one you usually have to pull the starter to get at. Pull the one you can get at,if you can,as there's a fair bit of anti-freeze in the bottom of the block that doesn't drain via the rad petcock.
 

crash68

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On Youtube I saw there is a bleeder valve on the block near the thermostat for the 5.7. I have to look to see if there is one for the 6.4L
It might be worth inquiring at your local auto parts stores if they loan out coolant system vacuum fill set-up.
They virtually eliminate having to burp air out of the system, typically use shop air to remove the air from the cooling system when it's empty, then it sucks the antifreeze.
 

Wild one

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On Youtube I saw there is a bleeder valve on the block near the thermostat for the 5.7. I have to look to see if there is one for the 6.4L.
Post a pic of your timing cover with the thermostat housing in view,and we'll be able to tell you if you have the bleeder screw,or if you have a hose going where the bleeder screw is.On the cars the earlier 6.4's had the bleeder screw,but on the later 6.4's they had a hose going into the same bleeder port.If you have a hose there.you can pop it off to let the air out of the system. Put the front of the truck up on ramps also helps
 
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