How to add coolant

Tiny
DEFFY
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,000 MILES
Didn’t inherit my dad’s mechanical ability, so how do I add coolant if it’s been run dry (or possibly has a slow leak)? It’s my kid’s so not sure how long it has been empty and it has been running hot lately. Just trying to confirm if I add coolant to the radiator directly, to the reservoir or to both? And how much?
Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,878 POSTS
Hi,

When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and inspect level. If it is low in the radiator, top it off with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water.

Next, inspect the level in the overflow reservoir. There should be an indicator on it which says full. Fill to that point.

If there is a leak, you really need to find it. Here are a couple links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

________________________________________

Here are the directions straight from the repair manual. The attached pic correlates with this. I circled the two locations for filling.

________________________________________

2003 Dodge or Ram Truck Caravan V6-3.3L VIN R
Cooling System Filling
Vehicle Engine, Cooling and Exhaust Cooling System Service and Repair Procedures Cooling System Filling
COOLING SYSTEM FILLING
COOLING SYSTEM FILLING

Fig.6

See pic 1

Remove radiator pressure cap and fill system, using a 50/50 mix of Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula and distilled water.

Continue filling system until full. Be careful not to spill coolant on drive belts or the generator.

Fill coolant recovery/reserve container to at least the MAX mark with 50/50 solution. It may be necessary to add coolant to the recovery/reserve container after three or four warm up/cool down cycles to maintain coolant level between the MAX and MIN mark. This will allow trapped air to be removed from the system.

____________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. If you do have other questions, please let me know the engine size.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 9:56 PM

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