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Heather
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/16/2003
19:06:04
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 Subject: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
When I open the drain on the radiator of my 97 V6
Dakota, the fluid won't come out. Not even a drop. Tried
running the engine, and added some water through the
radiator cap....but nothing happened.
I mistakenly thought flushing out the radiator would be
a fairly simple task..... :(
anyone experience this before?
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Deep Purple
*GenIII*
12/17/2003
08:09:15
|  RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
The bottom drain can be a pain. Be sure the cap is off. You may have to completely remove the drain plug. A better way is to take the lower radiator hose off and flush back from the upper heater hose. But it is a real pain too to remove the lower hose. Good luck.
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brianl
GenIII
12/17/2003
13:52:27
| RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
There is a hose connected to the drain plug on the bottom as well. The hose runs from the plug back into the radiator (acting as a leak preventer, i guess). Hope this helps.
Brian
Dynomax UltraFlo, V8 TB, Alpine 6-disc, 180 T-Stat, PA 3" Lift, Prothane bushings, Autolite 3923, homemade intake, Rancho RS9000, Tonneau, Herculiner Sprayed-In, 33" Dueler A/T, AR Baja 16x8 Wheels, MOOG Balljoints and Ties, Powerslots w/ Raybestos PG pads
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Heather
Dodge Dakota
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12/17/2003
21:12:41
|  RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
Thanks for the advice.
I had the radiator flushed at a shop today rather than messing with the other hoses etc. BUT... I still don't have good heat!!
Wondering if could just be the thermostat needs replacing (I picked one up to do that) or could something else be wrong?
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GB2000
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
00:21:13
| RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
Here's a copy of Dan's post that may help...
-----
Here is an answer to the original question about the posters heater core. It is plugged. I had the same exact problem. I had flushed out my coolant system several times, but still no real heat coming from the heater. I then finally thought about it and realized the the convential way of flushing out a coolant system does not really flush out the heater core. The problem is that when you flush the coolant system out you normally connect the flushing water to the inlet side of the heater core hose and then backflush the system out through the radiator cap. This works fine for the engine and the radiator, but does not backflush the heater core. But for less than 99 cents and about 15 minutes you can easily backflush your heater core yourself. There was a suggestion on an earlier post to just reverse your inlet and outlet hose on the heater core and that would backflush it. This is true, but the gunk that is clogging up the heater core will just get flushed into you engine and will probably end up right back in your heater core. What you have to do is get a 5/8 inch female garden hose adapter. This can be purchased at just about any hardware store. Make sure it is the kind that slips inside the garden hose. Then with the engine cool you need to disconnect the outlet hose of the heater core from the engine. You need to do this at the water pump connection, which should be on the driver's side of the engine. Then insert the garden hose adapter into the end of the hose. Then disconnect the heater core inlet hose from the engine connection. On my Dakota this is easily done at the splice that is on the passengers side of the engine. This splice is where you normally connect to flush out the coolant system. Then hook a garden hose up to the outlet hose and turn on the water. Have someone help you turn on and off the water as you flush out the heater core. Try and collect atleast the first 2 gallons of stuff you flush out and dispose of this according to your local laws. After the first 2 gallons all you should get out of your heater core is dirty water. This should be ok to just dump on the ground but make sure first. You will probably have to flush the core for a good 5 minutes to fully clean it out. Then reconnect your heater hoses as they were and enjoy the heat.
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sigep824
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2003
15:46:47
| RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
Maybe we should put Dan's post in the how-to section of dodgedakotas.com? I think a lot more people need to do that than paint door handles....
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GB2000
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
22:38:40
| RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
Yeah... I could word it into a how-to so it wouldn't be in a long message.
Josh
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GB2000
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/19/2003
07:24:34
| RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
I edited it to sound more like a how-to and emailed it... no I didn't try to take any credit for it either. At least I hope none is mistakenly given to me. I mentioned it was posted by Dan on the V6 board, not me. Hopefully Mark will find it useful enough to place in the how-to section.
Josh
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doodydaddy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/19/2003
07:43:49
| RE: flushing radiator problem
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Message:
mmm...come on over here big boy and i'll "flush" all of your "radiators"
mmmm....cock
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