Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 43

0 - 18 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: ANTIFREEZE IS AN ETHYLENE GLYCOL
BASE COOLANT A N D IS HARMFUL IF SWAL­
LOWED OR INHALED., IF SWALLOWED, DRINK
TWO GLASSES OF WATER AND INDUCE VOMIT­
ING. 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 BASE COOLANT PROP­
ERLY, 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 RUNNING TEMPERATURE, PER­
SONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.
AVOID RADIATOR COOLING FAN WHEN ENGINE
COMPARTMENT RELATED SERVICE IS PER­
FORMED, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.
CAUTION: Do n o t use s t r a i g h t antifreeze as e n g i n e
coolant, inadequate e n g i n e r u n n i n g temperatures
can result.
Do not operate v e h i c l e w i t h o u t proper c o n c e n t r a ­
t i o n of r e c o m m e n d e d ethylene g l y c o l coolant, h i g h
r u n n i n g temperatures a n d c o o l i n g s y s t e m corrosion
can result.
The engine cooling system will develop internal
pressure of 97 to 123 kPa (14 to 18 psi) at normal op­
erating temperature. Allow the vehicle approximately
one half hour to cool off before opening the cooling
system. As an indicator of pressure, squeeze the up­
per radiator hose between index finger and thumb. I f
it collapses with little effort the system would have
low internal pressure and should be safe to open to
the first safety notch of the radiator cap. Refer to
Group 7, Cooling System.
COOLING SYSTEM INSPECTION
Coolant level should be inspected when other en­
gine compartment service is performed or when cool­
ant leak is suspected. Coolant recovery tank level
should read between the M I N and MAX marks, lo­
cated on the side of recovery tank, when the engine
is at normal operating temperature. Normal coolant
level maintenance does not require the removal of ra­
diator cap. Cooling system freeze protection should
be tested at the onset of the winter season or every
12 months. Service is required i f coolant is low, con­
taminated, rusty or freeze protection is inadequate.
To properly test cooling system, see Group 7, Cooling
System.
The cooling system factory fill is a mixture of 50%
Glycol based antifreeze and 50% water. Using a suit­
able hydrometer, measure antifreeze concentration i n
the radiator when the engine is cool. I f the cooling
system has recently been serviced, allow coolant to
circulate for at least 20 minutes before taking hy­
drometer reading. Properly mixed coolant will protect
the cooling system to -37°C (-35°F). I f the freeze pro­
tection is above -28°C (-20°F), drain enough coolant
from the cooling system to allow room to add anti­
freeze to achieve adequate protection. A mix table on
the coolant container indicates the amount of anti­
freeze required to winterize the cooling system based
on the capacity, see Capacity Chart i n General Infor­
mation section of this group.
SELECTING ANTIFREEZE
Chrysler Corporation recommends Mopar Anti­
freeze/Summer Coolant, or equivalent be used to win­
terize and protect cooling system.
R A D I A T O R C A P
The radiator cap must be secure to provide proper
pressure, release and coolant recovery. Inspect and
test radiator cap when cooling system service is per­
formed or when problem is suspected.
COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE
The cooling system should be drained, flushed and
filled with the proper coolant mixture at the inter­
vals described i n the Lubrication and Maintenance
Schedules. Refer to General Information section of
this group. For proper service instructions see Group
7, Cooling System.
ENGINE AIR CLEANER
The engine air cleaner should be serviced at the in­
tervals described i n the Lubrication and Maintenance
Schedules sections of this group. Additional informa­
tion can be found in Group 14, Fuel System and
Group 25, Emission System. Inspect all air cleaner
hoses or tubes for damage or leaks when other en­
gine compartment service is performed. Replace
faulty components.
A I R CLEANER SERVICE
CAUTION: The air cleaner cover m u s t be installed
properly for the e m i s s i o n s s y s t e m a n d engine c o n ­
troller t o f u n c t i o n correctly.
Do n o t i m m e r s e paper air filter element or temper­
ature sensor in cleaning solvents, damage can re­
sult.