Hounddog

How much is needed for a drain and refill on the 2003 5.9 Cummins? Need to change it out next service.

DodgeRam24V

3 gallons total volume should be close if it gets completely drained, block and radiator.

Hounddog

Thanks.

Dr.Dizzle

If you are performing a drain and refill or a complete flush of the system, you will need 3 gallons of coolant concentrate. I also recommend you purchase 3 gallons of distilled water to dilute it...in order to reach the dilution rate you prefer for your climate. The total capacity of the cooling system is 7.4 gallons,however;it is unlikely you will get all 7.4 gallons out of the system due to the lack of a drain plug in the block.

The third generation Dodge Ram vehicles spec. a G-05 HOAT coolant. There are 4 readily available G0-5 HOAT coolants available on the market today. I find that the Zerex and Ford coolants noted below are the most cost effective choices over the Mopar and Mercedes offerings. They are listed below:

1). Valvoline Zerex G-05 Hoat -
Available in concentrate. The NAPA part # is ZXG051. The finished fluid is a Yellow/Gold in color. NAPA carries the entire Valvoline product line. If you don't see it on the shelves or behind the counter, they can order it for you. CarQuest auto parts stores sometimes stocks this as well. In the event that they do not stock it on their shelves, ask the manager to order it for you.

2). Ford / Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - Ford Part #VC-7B is the U.S. part number and CVC-7-B (Canada). This fluid is yellow/gold in color. This is available at Ford dealers.

3). Mopar 5 Year/100,000 Mile with (HOAT) Embittered (factory fill) Chrysler spec-MS 9769. Red/Orange in color.

4). Mercedes Benz Antifreeze Agent - Part # Q 103 0002 Dark Gold/Bronze in color.

Hounddog

Thanks for all the ino. I did the cooling sytem 3 yars plus ago. Tim to do it again. Forgot how much coolant I needed. Getting truck ready for show season and hauling early spring.

DBLR

I run at least 60/40 for lower freeze & better boil over protection then a 50/50 mix.

Rob's Red Ram

On the topic of antifreeze/coolant we use this http://www.primabrands.com/marketing...t/PTC1180B.pdf (scroll down to extended life Red)coolant at work in all of our equipment and trucks ,wondering if it's ok to use in my 05?I have read the info on it but I'm no expert.

06RAM2500

Might be able to get away with it on the older vehicles, but on the newer ones, I'd stick with what the book calls for.

BTW, mix water/coolant in a jug first then test the freeze point. That way you can adjust it before you fill the system. Likely your going to end up going with a 60/40 coolant/water mix.

Spooler

2 gallons of antifreeze. 2 gallons of water. Don't take the drain plug all the way out, just loosen it up a turn or two and pull the radiator cap.

rufushusky

JD Coolant gard II is a hoat coolant as well, but it is not a G-05

kully560

I just did my 2003 and it took 5.7 gallons mixed. I took of the lower radiator hose for fast drain. the drain plug I here sometimes will not close back up completely , also I changed the radiator hoses and thermostate at same time as the truck is going to be 9 years old.thats just my ocd

00Dog

Is there some sort of detergent that is supposed to be used to clean deposits out of the water passages? I seem to remember reading something about this for the Cummins but I could be totally wrong.

06RAM2500

Changing or recharging the coolant when it's due will prevent deposits.

C Schomer

Usually, when I pull the rad. drain plug, I end up going to find a new 0-ring for it to finish the job cuz the old one swelled. The last change, I used a midnight credit card and siphoned out the radiator. IIRC, the plug is in a terrible place to get to anyway. Craig