2001 Dodge Dakota 4.7L - Filling the Engine Coolant System

[@JohnBarreraJr]

Even though you uploaded this video over a year ago, I just wanted to let you know that this video is still helping people (like me!). My wife and I recently bought a 2001 Dodge Durango. I was surprised that our Durango started running hot even after I added antifreeze. Thinking the worst, I came to KZbin to find some insight and I found your video! I bled the system and added coolant according to your instructions and presto, no longer running hot! Thanks again! I really appreciate it!

[@MiKa-fu2wi]

6 years later, my wife and I just bought a Dakota and this video helped us out!

[@neavo8421]

@@MiKa-fu2wi I bought a dakota in the middle of last year, and this video solved my issue. I replaced the thermostat and blew out the heater core at the same time, so I dont know what fixed it, but one of those two things did.

[@MrWolfSnack]

Yo likely had an air gap in the system that was blocking coolant flow. Whatever you did likely got the air out.

[@marianstallings7344]

I enjoyed your video. Since my husband became disabled, I have to take care of the vehicles and I don’t know what goes where without watching someone else doing it.

[@DemoFly]

I love how easy these dakotas are to work on (Apart from those darn upstream O2 sensors!).

[@TheTexasCoder]

Thank you for the kind words! I am glad the video helped, and it is one of the reasons I still post to KZbin. The videos have helped me in the past, so I wanted to give a little back to the community. Glad to meet another Dodge owner, keep that Durango rolling and on the road. Take care!

[@spookifiedtools007]

1-21-16 Eastvale, California. I just completed the replacement of the thermostat & both hoses and this video was extremely helpful as I have never bled the cooling system on a Dodge 4.7 before. A few things....the size of the tool you need to take out the bleeder is not a Torx 50 but an Allen 5/16".... That's why he's gonna need a new bleeder. Second, he's filling the engine with green anti-freeze. The correct fluid would be Zerex G-05. It's red. Third, I'm pretty sure he started the car with his tools on top of the engine. Not the smartest thing to do. But I'm pretty sure the video helped me with the understanding of the bleeder to get the air out of the system. Lastly, he capped reinstalled the bleeder, and again I'm pretty sure, there were still bubbles coming out of the bleeder. Extreme Thanks Coder. RN4L

[@yougoog1]

Yes. I also saw in the video there were air bubbles coming out when he reinstalled the bleeder. I just replaced the radiator on my truck. I tried to wait until no air bubbles come out, but after waiting for longer than one hour, I still saw air bubbles coming out even though the amount of air bubbles became less and less, but if you keep waiting, you would see some coming out for sure. I had to give up in the end. not sure if this is normal, meaning perhaps you just can’t completely eliminate air bubbles.

[@neavo8421]

How is it running? Has it given you any problems this far? I have just this morning replaced my thermostat and blew out my heater core and I now have hot air for the first time owning this vehicle - which is so releiving as we are expecting a winter snow storm next week. I bought 4 gallons of coolant but it only ate up 2 - and I also had to give up waiting on the bubbles to come out. It would stop bubbling after a while, but if you wait for a bit hten come back youll have bubbles coming again. I drove it for about 15 minutes just around my neighborhood and it was at a solid 200ish degrees, and then I took it on the highway and got it up to 65 and no issues or leaks - still at a solid 200ish degrees. So far no problems, but I just got done with this job about 20 minutes ago so thats not saying much yet.

[@jasonrood4445]

Wow thank you for this video. This solved all of the problems we were having. Getting the air out of the system did the job.

[@joshuasanchez5667]

Jason Rood what problems were you having? I have 2002 4.7 that’s running 220 temp and wondering if I have bubbles somewhere...

[@greggoss3438]

Thanks very useful info most repair manuals never show what you want to see. Watching your video so helpful.

[@scatpack68]

Had to install a new radiator in my 04 Dakota 4.7 and using your procedure it worked out great, thanks!

[@itsdjdozer5025]

Don’t you have to use the gold fluid?

[@wappco]

Thanks for posting man this really helped me solve an weekend repair issue that would have otherwise blown my weekend time when I get to go get my son and hang out with him. You saved the day brother!

[@Liltwintwintwin]

Yea boy got to love the reving sensor to😂😂😂

[@pandapower63]

Thank you for this video! You helped me when I needed it. On one of your videos you mention the "flick the key on off on off then leave it on on" trick to read the codes. You said it works on your 2001 and had asked if it works on any other years. It works on my 2003 4.7L quad cab 4x4. Thanks again!

[@sarahalice89]

ALL dodges have that "flick key" to get codes, it's great don't have to have other equipment to get problem codes.

[@zgavell]

Great video. Got a 2001 Dakota that needs some maintenance and finding all your videos on this model was a godsend.

[@TheTexasCoder]

@dmcguinn1 Hey man! Good to hear from you!! Thanks for the info on the Lisle, I have seen that a couple of times and wondered if it worked well. It certainly would be easier than messing with that bleed screw, that thing is so "soft" that it strips. Thanks man for watching, and for posting about the Lisle. Talk to you soon!

[@nicholasalvarado5751]

Awesome video I've got a 4.7 in my jeep and couldn't find any videos on this process except yours worked out great for me thank you again

[@kevandsue00]

i think this will help me out greatly with my 4.7 durango

[@RealToolReviews]

There is a special funnel that I use specifically for bleeding coolant. It will let ALL the air escape from your system & wont spill any coolant. Its a "Lisle 24610 Spill-Free Funnel". It's $24.09 on amazon & I HIGHLY recommend getting one. An air bubble in your cooling system will cause problems eventually. Basically with the spill free funnel, fill it half way up & let your vehicle idle for 30 min & all of the air will escape & you pour the remainder back in the jug or in the reservior.

[@bpitt7102]

thank you good video step by step and everything is clear

[@TheTexasCoder]

Hi there! Coolant boils when it is not pressurized, so having air in the system allows the coolant to boil and drastically inhibits it's ability to absorb engine heat, causing overheating issues, and in some vehicles idling issues. Good question, thanks for posting and watching!

[@TheEmogirl253]

Thank you this video was very helpful. I watched at least five different video's on how to bleed the cooling system to my 2000 Dodge Durango and none of the other videos was helpful at all so I wanna thank you again for posting this video.

[@sukkafish1]

It's stuck because it's an allen, not a torx

[@NV..V]

Yep... 8mm

[@TheTexasCoder]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I am glad the video helped!

[@chvydrptop]

FYI this is the exact way to bleed the system on a 4.7 Durango. Additional tips, elevate the car in the front and also once the car warms up to operating temperature (should be 195), you can rev up the engine, this will shoot bubbles out the bleeder hole and coolant, cover with a bunch of paper towels or a towel. Took about 25 minutes before I could finally feel heat. I also flush my heater core.

[@TheTexasCoder]

Thank you for the comment and for watching! I am glad the video helped!

[@randalldearing6193]

I changed a water pump on my 07 ram 4.7 going to try this to get the air out, THANKS !

[@louannbarton1670]

This is the 3rd time I have bled bubbles out of my system from watching another video. The other video failed to mention turning the heater on. I was wondering where the bubbles kept coming from lol. Thanks for sharing. (:

[@chvydrptop]

Yup, If you don't turn the heater on (this cycles coolant into the radiator core), air maybe in those lines.

[@TheTexasCoder]

You will need to have the system full (coolant) and then open the valve, and fill it again till you see coolant at the top of the bleed valve. You can then run the vehicle and once the thermostat opens, you should see the level drop. Once the level stays full at normal operating temperature, your coolant level will be full. Hope this helps!

[@aaronkeeth651]

i got a gallon in maybe a little more, the temperature gauge says it is normal. after letting it get to temp. ive bled it. but something seems fishy

[@stephenprice9635]

Did my 04 Durango tonight and had the heat on at first. Then I turned it off to speed it up to temp and next I know a big air pocket happened. Shot the coolant all over the place. I was changing the water pump as it finally had a leak and ruined my belt as well. Hoping it’s still good after getting covered again but I went and washed it immediately. Drove home 20 minutes just fine and had been running for an hour or more. I did end up cutting down an 3/8th adapter to open the bleeder valve up. Took me 5 hours in total with running out after they gave me the wrong belt and the backup truck having a battery go out as well. Overall it’s easy I just ran into a lot of issues.

[@exiledintheus7251]

You're using the green it likes the orange

[@VTwin4Christ]

PB Blaster bro! Makes those pesky bolts and threads a breeze! All a man needs is a healthy spray of PB Blaster and about 10 minutes of patience. And no more stripped bolts or alens from over torquing.

[@neavo8421]

Personally in the heartland where everything is rusted - I just use WD40. If Im going to be doing a job I know is going to give me issues, Ill spray the top of the bolt with WD40 once or twice a day until I get the parts in to do the job. I have had great success with this method.

[@MrT1193]

Thank you so much for making the video. I really appreciate it.

[@danhambrick6331]

Your torx bit got stuck because it is an 8mm Allen,not a torx....

[@jamescunningham2534]

Drove me crazy when he said it was a torx head when it's obvious an allen head then he started to strip it out he got lucky it caught and loosened

[@douglasbollinger3626]

Thank you for the video, it helped me out a lot! The only other thing I'd mention is raising up the front of the Dodge truck like on car ramps. I've read several articles where that helps while doing this procedure. Worked great, thank you! Now...if you had a video to help me get that cd out of my radio!!! 3-15-2018

[@Arkstromater]

I'm watching this because I don't have any " special coolant" that it says it takes, and I was wondering if I could just use water in the summer. ?

[@amplitudevibes9079]

Thanks for the info man but just a fyi that bleed port is 8mm Allan key if anyone is wondering

[@troysavageau3198]

Mine has been bubbling for an hour now. Could this mean there is another issues?

[@edwardgallego818]

So do NOT use the old standby Prestone green 50/50 antifreeze on the 4.7 Dodge Durango? Zerex G-05 only? Getting ready to do maintenance on my 2001 4.7 liter Durango and want everything just right...

[@itsdjdozer5025]

Edward Gallego yup use only the g-05

[@neavo8421]

Yea you can use the zerex - I just did this job on my vehicle and its 22 years old now - and I can tell its been using the regular 5050 because I saw what came out. Ive never had an issue with it working, and its the same thing I put back in. I do plan on replacing the radiator later on so Ill probably do a full coolant flush and use the proper liquid next time.

[@brodeyfontenot1934]

Thank you very much..! Your video really helped me

[@frankpoleck3742]

Definitely appreciated

[@barbaranew8637]

Thank you. !!!!! Good brother

[@alexanderestk]

I took off my radiator cap and there's no fluid but my overflow tank is full. What does that mean?

[@blackcatcomp]

Alexander Estk have the same problem did you figure out what it was?

[@alexanderestk]

chickenlittle2 I got a radiator flush and a new radiator cap. Make sure you don’t have a leak, if you don’t have a leak just top off the fluid and replace the radiator cap.

[@itsdjdozer5025]

I think there’s a build up of sediment blocking flow from the reservoir

[@alexanderestk]

It's Dj Dozer Mine was caused by a bad radiator cap.

[@smoothmKX500]

this is why im here now same problem lol

[@crazyraysgarage4962]

Quick question on the 4.7 not used to a radiator cap on the top hose so what I'm am asking is should I see water under the cap after or no

[@Y.E.S_AC]

Thanks for the advice!

[@stephenmiller4091]

I'm pretty sure you added the wrong type. I did as well. Ideally you're supposed to use mopar purple.

[@matthiaspleil1314]

Thanks - very useful video.

[@stoolie10]

any suggestions to draining radiator and avoiding a huge mess. looks to me to be unavoidable when draining old coolant. too much plastic in the way.

[@solidstate565]

Thx for that, replaced radiator. I'm thinking maybe mines suckin air in somehow cuz I let my 3.7 run for a little more than an hour and it was still burping bubbles without any visible leaks. Any comments would be appreciated Thx again

[@lisahanna3687]

Is your coolant already pre-mixed with water?

[@less2worryabout]

2.2quarts? That's it?

[@jonhall7188]

I used a 6mm hex socket to loosen the bleeder plug.

[@shaunsavage1726]

Sending my 99 jeep to the scrapper tired of constantly chasing issues. 4,7 difficult to maintain

[@tyronewalker5764]

My truck is like yours, but what type of coolant are you using?

[@dragonox2010]

My 2003 3.9 doesn't have a bleeder like you show in the video....help

[@602tnt]

How's the no fan working out for you?

[@savingmoneyunapologetically]

Thanks very helpful!!

[@brovie88]

Mine keeps bubbling even after running for 20 minutes.

[@deathsquad2213]

I have a Dodge Durango 2002 the cooling system cap came off so there's no cooling in the system and the car would not turn over

[@deathsquad2213]

My name is Jeremiah Clark inbox

[@dakotamerrill4700]

Do you have to have youre heater blower like the fans on at least one or just turn the heater cold an hot gauge to hot ?

[@Piranha42]

Thanks great vid

[@OTTBlindfishFG]

Question brother my radiator hose blew and I lost like two quarts of coolant I refilled it but my car can’t crank at all. I did bleed it

[@SIRBULLPLUME]

So do I put coolant in the radiator like that or reservoir?

[@crispybaconmatters7160]

Start putting it in the radiator first. Once you bleed the radiator of air bubbles then put it into the reservoir (maybe halfway). Understand that the system is pressured and with the way that it works fluid from the radiator will push into the overflow when high temps occur, but then get sucked back when the engine cools.

[@littletoy01]

do you think the housing could break when taking bleeder screw out mine is really tight

[@louannbarton1670]

Doubtful... I used a pry bar to open mine but have found it opens a bit easier when the motor is somewhat warm.

[@chvydrptop]

PB Blaster, then let it soak at least 10 minutes. If that doesn't work let it soak over night. Don't strip that t-50 or you will be screwed, literally. Also I used a longer ratchet mine is like 14" long, better leverage mine was not hard.

[@neavo8421]

I know its been 5 years but for me I used the torx 50 like he said - which is the wrong bit for the bleeder screw - and I used a breaker bar to break it - it was slightly rusted on there. Then after it started turning it was easy. Took less then 45 seconds for me.

[@paulpeck6076]

Was that a dipstick in your overflow tank? Mine doesn't have one. Just curious.

[@smoothmKX500]

my 2001 durango has one also

[@crazychicken675]

8mm is for the bleeder valve

[@darrilmiller8167]

But look up the video of trying to replace a heater core on a 2002 dodge Dakota sport. 4.7 with factory a/c

[@xorockstar411ox]

what if there's no bleeder?

[@kylefarrell2841]

+xorockstar411ox fill your system with coolant and let it run without the radiator cap on it. it will suck the coolant down and pour more in immediately as it pulls the coolant down

[@xorockstar411ox]

+Kyle Farrell thanks!

[@sinister5289]

i feel so stupid, for the amount i know about cars ive been filling my truck from the overflow reservoir.

[@dannyilagorre8132]

You’re not alone !!!

[@travisrowe921]

Who’s here in 2024 lmao

[@GregoryWhelan]

Help me ty

[@Chinesec742]

I don't know I've changed the radiator, water pump,thermalstat tried the burping thing here on the video it never stops burping on long drives it spits my coolant to the reservoir and it never gets sucked back into the engine driving me crazy

[@BobSmith-mc7uq]

Need dramamine after watching this!

[@GregoryWhelan]

Help me ty

[@GregoryWhelan]

Help me ty