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jonathan
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
20:04:18

Subject: LOL.. thermostat installation
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Today... I woke up thinking... I wanna do something to my truck. So, eagerly I headed down to Advance Autoparts and requested a 160 degree thermostat... they had one, and asked me if I needed a gasket. Of course... he looked, and there wasnt one for the 99, but one for the 97. I put 2 and 2 together and figured that 5.9's in 97 are the same as 99's. I head on down to the Auto Hobby Shop (Marines should know what this is) and requested a stall. Finally got one after waiting an hour and pulled on in. Slid underneath mah beast and there's this huge plastic thing (I dont think that's the technical term for it) in the way of the bottom of the radiator. After decided there would be almost not way to get to the radiator with it in the way, nor would I be able to get it back on after taking it off... I tugged really hard. It came off no prob. Loosened the cap on top of the radiator, pulled the plug on the bottom (I have a nasty habit of sticking my tongue out whenever I'm concentrating really hard) and radiator fluid shot all over the place... and as you guessed it... I got a little in my mouth. I hastily put the can underneath it, and fled the scene to a deep sink. Gargling for a minute or two... I returned. Removed the two bolts, and pulled the radiator hose off the block... scraped the gasket off the hose and the block (leave the old thermostat there to prevent gasket falling in your engine), then pulled the old one out... slid the new one in... set the gasket... bolted the hose back on... plugged the radiator back up... and commenced pouring fluid into the reservoir on the right side (drivers side) and filled it up. Closed the cap... and started her up. Temp went from 130... to 140... 150... 160... and stayed... I was content... then 180... 200... 210.... 230... 260 ??!?!? I turned it off, and wondered wtf I just did wrong. Right before I was about to put my new thermostat in a pan with some water to have a blow torch heat it up to 160 degrees to see if it would open up, I looked in the radiator (passenger side) and didnt see fluid. Looked around if anyone had seen my 'not so intelligent' act, and commenced pouring water into the radiator. Started it up... temp hasnt gone above 160 yet. Note to self and other readers: pour fluid into your radiator... not your reservoir. Well, that's all I had to say, sorry about the novel... make sure you all dont do the same thing...

jonathan



Boettli
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
20:12:42

RE: LOL.. thermostat installation
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I did the same freakin thing. I filled the reservoir and then drove to Autozone to get some detailing stuff, on the way there I figured everything was fine(engine was nice&cool). On the way back I was praying and begging the truck to make it home(needle was rising fast). Good thing it was only about 2mile round trip. Actually the truck faired better than I expected being just air-cooled. When I got home and poured cool fluid into the engine, I could hear it say AHHHHHHHH!



jonathan
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
20:18:53

RE: LOL.. thermostat installation
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lol.. yeah... whenever mine shot up to 260, I was at idle... it got hot REALLY fast... couldnt beleive it. I just dont feel so dumb knowing now that I'm not the only one... woo hoo !

jonathan



jonathan
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
23:13:14

RE: LOL.. thermostat installation
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come on... there's gotta be more than just me and Bo that's done that ) hehe

jonathan



bjlindsey
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2/24/2002
02:11:08

RE: LOL.. thermostat installation
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There's those that have and those who will....!!!!!

01 QC 4x4 5.9L 3.92 LSD
K&N clone, Clear Corners, Carbon Fiber Tails, Aluminum Billet 3rd Brake Light Cover, Bug Guard
www.FreeGasForYou.com


jonathan
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2002
08:17:26

RE: LOL.. thermostat installation
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well.. hopefully not after reading my post... heh

jonathan



CW
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2/24/2002
10:50:29

RE: LOL.. thermostat installation
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There is a heater hose on the RH side of the engine. About half way down the hose there is a join in the hose. If you split it there and hold the hose ends up above the level of the radcap and fill the system. That way all of the trapped air gets purged out of the system.

Always alway always fill the rad from the rad cap.

2001 RC 4.7 5sp 9.25" 3.92 LSD
Ported 68mm throttle body, IAT adjuster, 3" flowmaster cat back, TPS @ .76V, 4" cold air, Roadmaster active suspention, Removed Third cat. Electric fan Convertion, HO cams installed.
Working on adjustable fuel pressure with return.

   P 1


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