GEN ER AL C O OLIN G S YSTE M S ER VIC IN G
1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
GENERAL INFORMATION
General Cooling System Servicing
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
The following article is for general information only.
Information may not apply to all years, makes and models. See specific
article in the ENGINE COOLING section.
DESCRIPTION
The basic liquid cooling system consists of a radiator, water
pump, thermostat, electric or belt-driven cooling fan, pressure cap,
heater, and various connecting hoses and cooling passages in the block
and cylinder head.
MAINTENANCE
DRAINING
Remove radiator cap and open heater control valve to maximum
heat position. Open drain cocks or remove plugs in bottom of radiator
and engine block. In-line engines usually have one plug or drain cock,
while "V" type engines will have 2, one in each bank of cylinders.
CLEANING
A good cleaning compound removes most rust and scale. Follow
manufacturer's instructions in the use of cleaner. If considerable
rust and scale has to be removed, cooling system should be flushed.
Clean radiator air passages with compressed air.
FLUSHING
CAUTION: Some manufacturers use an aluminum and plastic radiator.
Flushing solution must be compatible with aluminum.
Back Flushing
Back flushing is an effective means of removing cooling
system rust and scale. The radiator, engine and heater core should be
flushed separately.
Radiator
To flush radiator, connect flushing gun to water outlet of
radiator and disconnect water inlet hose. To prevent flooding engine,
use a hose connected to radiator inlet. Use air in short bursts to
prevent damage to radiator. Continue flushing until water runs clear.
Engine
To flush engine, remove thermostat and replace housing.
Connect flushing gun to water outlet of engine. Flush using short air
bursts until water runs clean.
Heater Core
Flush heater core as described for radiator. Ensure heater
control valve is set to maximum heat position before flushing heater.
complete cooling system. Test components as follows, following tool
manufacturer's instructions.
Radiator Cap
Visually inspect radiator cap, then dip cap into water and
connect to tester. Pump tester to bring pressure to upper limit of cap
specification. If cap fails to hold pressure, replace cap.
Fig. 2: Testing Radiator Pressure Cap
Cooling System
1) With engine off, wipe radiator filler neck seat clean.
Fill radiator to correct level. Attach tester to radiator and pump
until pressure is at upper level of radiator rating.
2) If pressure drops, inspect for external leaks. If no leaks
are apparent, detach tester and run engine until normal operating
temperature is reached. Reattach tester and observe. If pressure
builds up immediately, a possible leak exists from a faulty head
gasket or crack in head or block.
NOTE: Pressure may build up quickly. Release any excess pressure
or cooling system damage may result.
3) If there is no immediate pressure build up, pump tester to
within system pressure range (on radiator cap). Vibration of gauge
pointer indicates compression or combustion leak into cooling system.
Isolate leak by shorting each spark plug wire to cylinder block. Gauge
pointer should stop or decrease vibration when leaking cylinder is
shorted.
Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid/Switch ......... Engine Performance
Traction Control Switch ........................... Anti-Lock Brakes
Trailer Tow Connector .............................. Exterior Lights
Trailer Tow Relay .................................. Exterior Lights
Transmission/Transaxle .......................... Engine Performance
Transmission Control Module (TCM) ............... Engine Performance\
Starters
Transmission Range Sensor ................................. Starters
Back-Up Lights
Engine Performance
Transmission Range Switch ........................... Back-Up Lights
Engine Performance
Anti-Theft System
Turn Signal Flasher ................................ Exterior Lights
Turn Signal Lights ................................. Exterior Lights
Twilight Sentinel Switch ......................... Headlight Systems
Daytime Running Lights
Vapor Canister Leak Detection Pump .............. Engine Performance
Vehicle Control Module (VCM) .................... Engine Performance\
Vehicle Dynamic Module ....................... Electronic Suspension
Vehicle Speed Control Servo ................. Cruise Control Systems
Vehicle Speed Sensor .......................... Data Link Connectors
Analog Instrument Panels
Cruise Control Systems
Electronic Suspension
Voltage Regulator .......................... Generators & Regulators
Water-In-Fuel Sensor ............................ Engine Performance
Analog Instrument Panels
Wheel Speed Sensors ............................... Anti-Lock Brakes
Window Timer Module .......................... Power Convertible Top
Windshield Intermittent Wiper Relay ........... Wiper/Washer Systems
Windshield Washer Motor ....................... Wiper/Washer Systems
Wiper Motor ................................... Wiper/Washer Systems
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
FUEL LINE BLEEDING
NOTE: Fuel line bleeding is necessary if fuel injection pump is
replaced, fuel filter/water separator is not filled with
diesel fuel before installing or vehicle ran out off fuel.
Bleed high-pressure fuel lines if connections are loosened or
replaced. If engine has not been operated for an extended
time, bleed fuel lines before next initial engine start-up.
WARNING: DO NOT bleed fuel lines on a hot engine, as high exhaust
temperatures may cause a fire. Carefully bleed fuel lines, as
fuel is under extremely high pressure and could penetrate
skin. Use safety goggles and protective clothing when
bleeding fuel lines.
1) Loosen banjo bolt holding low-pressure fuel supply line to
side of fuel injection pump. Wrap a towel around banjo fitting to
catch fuel. Crank engine quickly and release key before engine starts.
This will operate fuel transfer pump for about 25 seconds.
2) If fuel is not present at fuel supply line after 25
seconds, turn ignition off. Repeat engine crank procedure until fuel
is present at fuel supply line. Tighten banjo bolt at fuel supply line
to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
CAUTION: Ensure parking brake is applied and transmission is in
Neutral before bleeding fuel injection pump or high-pressure
fuel lines. DO NOT operate starter for more than 30 seconds
when bleeding fuel injection pump or high-pressure fuel
lines. Allow 2-minute intervals between starter operations.
3) To bleed air from fuel injection pump, ensure parking
brake is applied and transmission is in Neutral, as engine may start
when operating starter to bleed air from fuel injection pump. Operate
starter for 30 seconds to bleed any trapped air in fuel injection
pump.
4) To bleed high-pressure fuel lines, ensure parking brake is
applied and transmission is in Neutral, as engine may start when
operating starter to bleed high-pressure fuel lines. Loosen high-
pressure fuel line nut at fuel injector.
5) Operate starter until steady fuel flow exists at high-
pressure fuel line. Tighten high-pressure fuel line nut to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Start engine. Repeat
procedure on each high-pressure fuel line until engine operates
smoothly.
FUEL FILTER/WATER SEPARATOR & WATER-IN-FUEL SENSOR
NOTE: Vehicle also contains an in-tank fuel filter located on
bottom of fuel tank module. For servicing procedure, see FUEL
TANK MODULE & IN-TANK FUEL FILTER under FUEL SYSTEM.
NOTE: When fuel filter/water separator is being replaced,
manufacturer recommends cleaning the pre-filter. See FUEL
HEATER under FUEL SYSTEM for servicing of pre-filter.
Removal
1) Ensure engine is off. Place drain pan below drain tube at
fuel filter/water separator. See Fig. 3. Rotate handle on drain valve
forward, toward front of vehicle to DRAIN position. Drain valve is
located near top of fuel filter/water separator. See Fig. 3. Once fuel
is drained from fuel filter/water separator, rotate handle on drain
valve back to CLOSE position.
Removal
1) Remove nameplate located above rocker lever covers. Remove
fuel injector drain line-to-fuel injector banjo bolt and seal washer
from each fuel injector. Plug all fuel openings.
2) Remove fuel injector drain line assembly retaining clamp
at rear of intake manifold. Remove fuel injector drain line bolt with
seal washers at filter mounting head. See Fig. 3. Remove fuel injector
drain line assembly.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure using NEW seal washers.
Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
FUEL HEATER
Removal & Installation
Fuel heater is located in FUEL FILTER/WATER SEPARATOR &
WATER-IN-FUEL SENSOR. See FUEL FILTER/WATER SEPARATOR & WATER-IN-FUEL
SENSOR.
FUEL INJECTOR
Removal
1) Disconnect negative battery cables. Each fuel injector is
connected to each high-pressure fuel line with a steel connector line.
Steel connector is positioned into cylinder head and sealed with "O"
ring. See Fig. 8. If removing injector at cylinder No. 1 or No. 2,
remove intake manifold air heater assembly. If removing injector at
cylinder No. 5, remove engine lifting bracket. Ensure area around fuel
injector and high-pressure fuel line is clean. Disconnect high-
pressure fuel line at fuel injector. DO NOT bend any high-pressure
fuel line to gain access to fuel injector. It may be necessary to
remove high-pressure fuel lines from fuel injection pump for access to
fuel injector.
2) If removing high-pressure fuel lines from fuel injection
pump, mark high-pressure fuel line location for installation
reference. Remove valve cover. Thread Fuel Injector Connector Tube
Remover (8324) onto end of injector connector tube. Remove and discard\
old "O" ring from injector connector tube.
3) Remove fuel injector hold down clamp bolt at front end of
clamp. DO NOT loosen or remove shouldered bolt at rear of clamp.
Remove injector clamp by sliding it from shoulders on rear clamp bolt.
Thread rod from fuel injector remover into top of fuel injector.
Tighten nut to remove fuel injector from cylinder head. Remove and
discard "O" ring and copper sealing washer.
Fig. 8: Removing Fuel Injector
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Installation
1) Clean fuel injector bore on cylinder head with wire brush.