Replaced thermostat

BOBBY JOHNSON

MEMBER
2013 DODGE CARAVAN
3.6L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
156,029 MILES

There are two petcocks one on bottom and one on thermostat housing. I opened it and refilled with antifreeze until it came out drain hole than I repeated these steps three times I now have heat but the temperature gauge goes to one over half than the fan kicks on and slowly goes to the half mark. Is that proper procedure?

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good evening,

The fill procedure is below.

As you are doing, open the bleed screw and wait until the fluid comes out. Then run the engine at 1200 rpm and watch the level and make sure you get heat.

Thats it

Roy

Warning:
Antifreeze coolant is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. If swallowed, drink two glasses of water and induce vomiting. If inhaled, move to fresh air area. Seek medical attention immediately. Do not store in open or unmarked containers. Wash skin and clothing thoroughly after coming in contact with ethylene glycol. Keep out of reach of children. Dispose of glycol based coolant properly. Contact your dealer or government agency for location of collection center in your area. Do not open a cooling system when the engine is at operating temperature or hot under pressure; personal injury can result. Avoid radiator cooling fan and other moving components when engine compartment related service is performed; personal injury can result.

WARNING:
Wear appropriate eye and hand protection when performing this procedure.

CAUTION:
Do not use well water or suspect water supply in cooling system. A 50/50 mixture of the recommended antifreeze coolant and distilled water is recommended.

NOTE:
Cooling system fill procedure is critical to overall cooling system performance.

NOTE:
Make sure all hoses are connected and radiator draincock is closed. Draincock should be hand tightened only.

COOLING SYSTEM FILLING - 3.6L

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1. Install coolant fill funnel (1) (8195A).
2. Open the thermostat housing bleeder screw.
3. Add coolant at the radiator till a steady stream of coolant can be seen coming from the bleeder screw.

4. Close the bleeder screw.

5. Remove the upper heater core hose at the heater core.
6. Fill the radiator to the recommended level.

7. Install the heater core hose when coolant is present.

8. Fill the coolant over flow bottle to the recommended level.

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9. Start the engine and place the HVAC control (3) to full hot.

10. Place the blower switch (2) to low.

11. Allow the engine to warm up at idle for roughly 10 minutes.

12. Top the coolant off if required.

13. Increase the engine speed to 4,000 RPM until the thermostat opens at 105° C (220° F) and verify the fan is operating.

14. Top the coolant level if required.

15. Allow the engine to idle for 25 minutes.

16. Shut the engine off.

NOTE: The use of a external fan can be used to help aid in the cooling of the engine.

17. Allow the engine to cool down enough for the thermostat to close.

18. Top the coolant off if required.

19. Restart the engine and increase the engine speed up to 4,000 RPM until the thermostat opens.

20. Allow the engine to idle after the thermostat opens.

21. Verify the cooling fan is operational.

22. Check the level of the coolant.

23. Top the coolant off if required.

24. Remove the funnel from the radiator.

25. Install the radiator cap.

26. Take the vehicle for a test drive.

27. Top the coolant off if required.