2001 DODGE RAM cooling

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
HOSE OR HOSES COLLAPSE
WHEN ENGINE IS COOLING.1. Vacuum created in cooling
system on engine cool-down is not
being relieved through coolant
reservior/overflow system.1. Replace radiator cap, check vent
hose between radiator and reservoir
bottle for blockage also check
reservoir bottle vent for blockage.
NOISY FAN 1. Fan blade(s) loose, damaged. 1. Replace fan blade assembly.
2. Thermal viscous fan drive. 2. None. Normal condition.
3. Fan blades striking surrounding
objects.3. Locate contact point and repair
as necessary.
4. Thermal viscous fan drive
bearing.4. Replace viscous fan drive
assembly.
5. Obstructed air flow through
radiator.5. Remove obstruction.
INADEQUATE AIR CONDITIONER
PERFORMANCE (COOLING
SYSTEM SUSPECTED)1. Radiator and/or A/C condenser
air flow obstructed.1. Remove obstruction and/or clean.
2. Thermal viscous fan drive not
working.2. Check fan drive. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/FAN DRIVE
VISCOUS CLUTCH - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING)
3. Air seals around radiator
damaged or missing.3. Inspect air seals, repair or
replace as necessary.
INADEQUATE HEATER
PERFORMANCE. GUAGE MAY OR
MAY NOT READ LOW.1. Heavy duty cooling system, and
cooler ambient temperatures.1. None. Normal condition.
2. Obstruction in heater hoses. 2. Remove hoses, remove
obstruction.
3. Water pump damaged. 3. Replace water pump.
HEAT ODOR 1. Damaged or missing drive line
heat shields.1. Repair or replace damaged or
missing heat shields.
2. Thermal viscous fan drive
damaged.2. Check thermal viscous fan drive.
(Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/
FAN DRIVE VISCOUS CLUTCH -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
7 - 14 COOLINGBR/BE
COOLING (Continued)

STANDARD PROCEDUREÐDRAINING
COOLING SYSTEM 3.9L/5.2L/5.9L/8.0L
ENGINES
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE CYLINDER BLOCK
DRAIN PLUGS OR LOOSEN RADIATOR DRAIN-
COCK WITH SYSTEM HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE.
SERIOUS BURNS FROM COOLANT CAN OCCUR.
DO NOT WASTE reusable coolant. If solution is
clean, drain coolant into a clean container for reuse.
(1) Remove radiator pressure cap.
(2) Loosen radiator petcock.
(3) Remove cylinder block drain plugs. Refer to
(Fig. 7).
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐDRAINING COOLING
SYSTEM 5.9L DIESEL ENGINE
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE CYLINDER
BLOCK DRAIN PLUGS OR LOOSEN THE RADIATOR
DRAIN PLUG WITH SYSTEM HOT AND UNDER
PRESSURE. SERIOUS BURNS FROM COOLANT
CAN OCCUR.
DO NOT WASTE reusable coolant. If the solution
is clean, drain the coolant into a clean container for
reuse.
(1) Start the engine and place the heater control
temperature selector in the Full-On position. Vacuum
is needed to actuate the heater controls.
(2) Turn the ignition off.
(3) Do not remove radiator cap when draining cool-
ant from reserve/overflow tank. Open radiator drain
plug and when tank is empty, remove radiator cap. If
the coolant reserve/overflow tank does not drain,
(Refer to 7 - COOLING - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-ING). The coolant need not be removed from tank
unless the system is being refilled with fresh mix-
ture.
(4) Remove radiator pressure cap.
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐREFILLING
COOLING SYSTEM 3.9L/5.2L/5.9L/8.0L
ENGINES
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE CYLINDER BLOCK
DRAIN PLUGS OR LOOSEN RADIATOR DRAIN-
COCK WITH SYSTEM HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE.
SERIOUS BURNS FROM COOLANT CAN OCCUR.
DO NOT WASTE reusable coolant. If solution is
clean, drain coolant into a clean container for reuse.
Clean cooling system prior to refilling. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(1) Install cylinder block drain plugs. Coat the
threads with MopartThread Sealant with Teflon.
(2) Close radiator petcock.
(3) Fill cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of
water and antifreeze.
(4) Fill coolant reserve/overflow tank to FULL
mark on indicator stick.
(5) Start and operate engine until thermostat
opens (upper radiator hose warm to touch).
(6) If necessary, add a 50/50 water and antifreeze
mixture to the coolant reserve/overflow tank. This is
done to maintain coolant level between the FULL
and ADD marks. The level in the reserve/overflow
tank may drop below the ADD mark after three or
four warm-up and cool-down cycles.
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐREFILLING
COOLING SYSTEM 5.9L DIESEL ENGINE
Clean cooling system prior to refilling (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(1) Close radiator drain plug.
CAUTION: Due to the use of the one-way check
valve, the engine must not be operating when refill-
ing the cooling system.
NOTE: The diesel engine is equipped with a one-
way check valve (jiggle pin). The check valve is
used as a servicing feature and will vent air when
the system is being filled. Water pressure (or flow)
will hold the valve closed.
(2) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of
water and antifreeze.
Fig. 7 Cylinder Block Drain PlugÐ3.9L/5.2L/5.9L
Engines
1 - BLOCK DRAIN PLUG
BR/BECOOLING 7 - 15
COOLING (Continued)

(3) Fill coolant reserve/overflow tank to the FULL
mark.
(4) Start and operate engine until thermostat
opens. Upper radiator hose should be warm to touch.
(5) If necessary, add 50/50 water and antifreeze
mixture to the coolant reserve/overflow tank to main-
tain coolant level. This level should be between the
ADD and FULL marks. The level in the reserve/over-
flow tank may drop below the ADD mark after three
or four warm-up and cool-down cycles.
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐADDING
ADDITIONAL COOLANT
Do not remove radiator cap to add coolant to
system.When adding coolant to maintain correct
level, do so at coolant reserve/overflow tank. Use a
50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze containing
Alugard 340-2yand low mineral content water.
Remove radiator cap only for testing or when refill-
ing system after service. Removing cap unnecessarily
can cause loss of coolant and allow air to enter sys-
tem, which produces corrosion.
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐCOOLANT LEVEL
CHECK
NOTE: Do not remove radiator cap for routine cool-
ant level inspections. The coolant level can be
checked at coolant recovery bottle .
The coolant reserve/overflow system provides a
quick method for determining coolant level without
removing radiator pressure cap. With engine not run-
ning, open the coolant recovery bottle cap and
remove coolant level indicator dipstick to observe
coolant level in coolant recovery bottle. The coolant
level should be between ADD and FULL marks. If
the coolant level is at or below the ADD mark, fill
the recovery bottle with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze
and water ONE QUART AT A TIME. Repeat this pro-
cedure until the coolant level is at the FULL mark
(Fig. 8).
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐCOOLING SYSTEM
CLEANING/REVERSE FLUSHING
CLEANING
Drain cooling system and refill with water. Run
engine with radiator cap installed until upper radia-
tor hose is hot. Stop engine and drain water from
system. If water is dirty, fill system with water, run
engine and drain system. Repeat until water drains
clean.
REVERSE FLUSHING
Reverse flushing of cooling system is the forcing of
water through the cooling system. This is done using
air pressure in the opposite direction of normal cool-
ant flow. It is usually only necessary with very dirty
systems with evidence of partial plugging.
REVERSE FLUSHING RADIATOR
Disconnect radiator hoses from radiator inlet and
outlet. Attach a section of radiator hose to radiator
bottom outlet fitting and insert flushing gun. Con-
nect a water supply hose and air supply hose to
flushing gun.
CAUTION: Internal radiator pressure must not
exceed 138 kPa (20 psi) as damage to radiator may
result.
Allow radiator to fill with water. When radiator is
filled, apply air in short blasts. Allow radiator to
refill between blasts. Continue this reverse flushing
until clean water flows out through rear of radiator
cooling tube passages. Have radiator cleaned more
extensively by a radiator repair shop.
Fig. 8 COOLANT RESERVE/OVERFLOW TANKÐALL
EXCEPT 8.0L V-10 ENGINE
1 - T-SLOTS
2 - ALIGNMENT PIN
3 - FAN SHROUD
4 - COOLANT RESERVE/OVERFLOW TANK
7 - 16 COOLINGBR/BE
COOLING (Continued)

REVERSE FLUSHING ENGINE
Drain cooling system. Remove thermostat housing
and thermostat. Install thermostat housing. Discon-
nect radiator upper hose from radiator and attach
flushing gun to hose. Disconnect radiator lower hose
from water pump and attach a lead-away hose to
water pump inlet fitting.
CAUTION: On vehicles equipped with a heater water
control valve, be sure heater control valve is closed
(heat off). This will prevent coolant flow with scale
and other deposits from entering heater core.
Connect water supply hose and air supply hose to
flushing gun. Allow engine to fill with water. When
engine is filled, apply air in short blasts, allowing
system to fill between air blasts. Continue until clean
water flows through the lead away hose.
Remove lead away hose, flushing gun, water sup-
ply hose and air supply hose. Remove thermostat
housing and install thermostat. Install thermostat
housing with a replacement gasket. Refer to Thermo-
stat Replacement. Connect radiator hoses. Refill cool-
ing system with correct antifreeze/water mixture.
Refer to Refilling the Cooling System.
CHEMICAL CLEANING
In some instances, use a radiator cleaner (Mopar
Radiator Kleen or equivalent) before flushing. This
will soften scale and other deposits and aid flushing
operation.
CAUTION: Follow manufacturers instructions when
using these products.
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐCOOLANT
SELECTION-ADDITIVES
The presence of aluminum components in the cool-
ing system requires strict corrosion protection. Main-
tain coolant at specified level with a mixture of
ethylene glycol based antifreeze and water. If coolant
becomes contaminated or looses color, drain and flush
cooling system and fill with correctly mixed solution.
CAUTION: Do not use coolant additives that are
claimed to improve engine cooling.
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. In.
Lbs. Lbs
Belt Tensioner Pulley
3.9/5.2/5.9L
EnginesÐBolt 61 45 Ð
Belt Tensioner Pulley 8.0L
EngineÐ
Bolt 88 65 Ð
Belt Tensioner to Mounting
BracketÐ
Bolt 3.9L/5.2L/5.9L Engines 67 50 Ð
Belt Tensioner to Mounting
BracketÐ
Bolt 8.0L Engine 41 30 Ð
Block HeaterÐScrew Gas
Engines2Ð17
Block HeaterÐHex Diesel
Engine43 32 Ð
Fan Shroud to Radiator
MountingÐ
Bolts 6 Ð 50
Heater Hose Fitting at Water
PumpÐ(8.0L) 16 Ð 142
Idler Pulley MountingÐBolts
Gas Engines 61 45 Ð
Radiator MountingÐBolts 11 Ð 95
Thermal Viscous Fan to
HubÐ(Diesel)57 42 Ð
Thermostat HousingÐBolts
3.9/5.2/5.9L 23 Ð 200
Thermostat HousingÐBolts
8.0L25 Ð 220
Thermostat HousingÐBolts
Diesel24 Ð 212
Water Pump MountingÐBolts
Gas Engines 40 30 Ð
Water Pump MountingÐBolts
Diesel24 Ð 212
BR/BECOOLING 7 - 17
COOLING (Continued)

SPECIAL TOOLS
COOLING
Spanner Wrench 6958
Adapter Pins 8346
Pliers 6094
Pressure Tester 7700±A
7 - 18 COOLINGBR/BE
COOLING (Continued)

REMOVAL
WARNING: BECAUSE OF HIGH SPRING PRES-
SURE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE AUTO-
MATIC TENSIONER. UNIT IS SERVICED AS AN
ASSEMBLY (EXCEPT FOR PULLEY).
(1) Remove accessory drive belt. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(2) Disconnect wiring and secondary cable from
ignition coil.
(3) Remove ignition coil from coil mounting
bracket (two bolts). Do not remove coil mounting
bracket from cylinder head.
(4) Remove tensioner assembly from mounting
bracket (one nut) (Fig. 2).(5) Remove pulley bolt. Remove pulley from ten-
sioner.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install pulley and pulley bolt to tensioner.
Tighten bolt to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Install tensioner assembly to mounting
bracket. An indexing tab is located on back of ten-
sioner. Align this tab to slot in mounting bracket.
Tighten nut to 67 N´m (50 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Connect all wiring to ignition coil.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to coil case, coil
mounting bolts must be torqued.
(4) Install coil to coil bracket. If nuts and bolts are
used to secure coil to coil bracket, tighten to 11 N´m
(100 in. lbs.) torque. If coil mounting bracket has
been tapped for coil mounting bolts, tighten bolts to 5
N´m (50 in. lbs.) torque.
(5) Install drive belt. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/AC-
CESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - INSTALLA-
TION).
(6) Check belt indexing marks (Fig. 2).
BELT TENSIONERS - 8.0L
DESCRIPTION
CAUTION: Do not attempt to check belt tension with
a belt tension gauge on vehicles equipped with an
automatic belt tensioner.
Drive belts on 8.0L engines are equipped with a
spring loaded automatic belt tensioner (Fig. 3). This
belt tensioner will be used with all belt configura-
tions, such as with or without power steering or air
conditioning.
The tensioner is equipped with an indexing arrow
(Fig. 4) on back of tensioner and an indexing mark
on tensioner housing.
OPERATION
WARNING: THE AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER
ASSEMBLY IS SPRING LOADED. DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO DISASSEMBLE THE TENSIONER ASSEMBLY.
The automatic belt tensioner maintains correct belt
tension using a coiled spring within the tensioner
housing. The spring applies pressure to the tensioner
arm pressing the arm into the belt, tensioning the
belt.Fig. 2 Tensioner Indexing Marks and Mounting Nut
1 - TENSIONER ASSEMBLY
2 - TENSIONER MOUNTING NUT
3 - INDEXING ARROW
4 - INDEXING MARK
7 - 20 ACCESSORY DRIVEBR/BE
BELT TENSIONERS - 3.9L/5.2L/5.9L (Continued)

(1) Remove accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(2) Remove tensioner mounting bolt (Fig. 6) and
remove tensioner.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: If the pulley is to be removed from the
tensioner, its mounting bolt has left-hand threads.
(1) Install pulley and pulley bolt to tensioner.
Tighten bolt to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Install tensioner assembly to mounting
bracket. A dowel pin is located on back of tensioner
(Fig. 7). Align this to dowel hole (Fig. 8) in tensioner
mounting bracket. Tighten bolt to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(3) Install drive belt (Refer to 7 - COOLING/AC-
CESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - INSTALLA-
TION).
Fig. 5 Indexing MarksÐ8.0L Engines Typical
1 - TENSIONER ASSEMBLY
2 - TENSIONER MOUNTING NUT
3 - INDEXING ARROW
4 - INDEXING MARK
Fig. 6 Belt Tensioner
1 - PULLEY BOLT
2 - IDLER PULLEY
3 - TENSIONER PULLEY
4 - TENSIONER
5 - TENSIONER MOUNTING BOLT
Fig. 7 Tensioner Dowel Pin
1 - BELT TENSIONER
2 - DOWEL PIN
7 - 22 ACCESSORY DRIVEBR/BE
BELT TENSIONERS - 8.0L (Continued)

BELT TENSIONERS - 5.9L
DIESEL
DESCRIPTION
Drive belts on all engines are equipped with a
spring loaded automatic belt tensioner (Fig. 9). This
tensioner maintains constant belt tension at all times
and requires no maintenance or adjustment.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to check belt tension with
a belt tension gauge on vehicles equipped with an
automatic belt tensioner.
OPERATION
WARNING: THE AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER
ASSEMBLY IS SPRING LOADED. DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO DISASSEMBLE THE TENSIONER ASSEMBLY.
The automatic belt tensioner maintains correct belt
tension using a coiled spring within the tensioner
housing. The spring applies pressure to the tensioner
arm pressing the arm into the belt, tensioning the
belt.
If a new belt is being installed, the arrow must be
within approximately 3 mm (1/8 in.) of indexing
mark. Belt is considered new if it has been used 15
minutes or less. If this specification cannot be met,
check for:
²The wrong belt being installed (incorrect length/
width)
²Worn bearings on an engine accessory (A/C com-
pressor, power steering pump, water pump, idler pul-
ley or generator)
²A pulley on an engine accessory being loose
²Misalignment of an engine accessory
²Belt incorrectly routed.
REMOVAL
WARNING: BECAUSE OF HIGH SPRING PRES-
SURE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE AUTO-
MATIC TENSIONER. UNIT IS SERVICED AS AN
ASSEMBLY.
(1) Remove accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(2) Remove tensioner mounting bolt (Fig. 10) and
remove tensioner.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install tensioner assembly to mounting
bracket. A dowel is located on back of tensioner. Align
this dowel to hole in tensioner mounting bracket.
Tighten bolt to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Install drive belt (Refer to 7 - COOLING/AC-
CESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - INSTALLA-
TION).
Fig. 8 Tensioner Dowel Hole
1 - DOWEL PIN HOLE
2 - TENSIONER MOUNTING BRACKET
Fig. 9 Belt
1 - WATER PUMP
2 - ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT
3 - AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER
4 - 3/89SQUARE BOLT
5 - MOUNT. BOLT
BR/BEACCESSORY DRIVE 7 - 23
BELT TENSIONERS - 8.0L (Continued)