Replacing the Thermostat on a 6.4L Hemi V8 in a 2018 Ram 2500HD

[@djsan408]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500 BigHorn and this video really helped me by saving me $750 the dealer was charging, and 1 week at the dealership with no truck. I paid $138 at auto zone for my thermostat Part #95616 and another $75 for 2 gallons of Dodge grade/ recommended coolant. Thanks again!

[@AskDIYDad]

Awesome!

[@musntang1]

Dodge grade coolant? Won't regular 50/50 coolant work?

[@superdirtbike2100]

@@musntang1 yes people are dumb as hell. You can buy cheapest universal premix at the dollar store for $5 a gallon and it’s just fine and just as good

[@bwhittaker3658]

Took me 40 minutes from start to finish and I’ve never done one before in my life!

[@AskDIYDad]

And saved you a ton of money!

[@condork464]

The information you gave is awesome. All the little "tidbits" really add to the understanding of what to expect. Thank you very much.

[@AskDIYDad]

Thank you for the feedback! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@OneSquidOneBike]

Thanks brother! I’ve been riding around with limited heat for the last 3 months in my 2020 2500, but I never got a code! I can’t take it anymore Lol. Thanks for the easy to follow video!

[@AskDIYDad]

My pleasure! I hope it works for you!!

[@joepoquette3626]

Good video. The job sucked for me because the coolant reservoir tried to boil over 3 times until the thermostat opened lol. Lots of pumping the reservoir until the reservoir started to fill into the system.

[@aldoromero6613]

Hey man what did you do when it would boil over, I’m currently doing mine and it keeps boiling over and the coolant lines are cold from the radiator as if it’s not running through the radiator, I’ve ran it with the cap off to burp the system but it just boils over?

[@toddolson4569]

Very helpful. Great job with the video.

[@sooperdan]

My 2020 has been running at the 185 make for a few weeks now, no CEL yet, im curious what coolant did you use??? My truck has orange coolant and everyone is saying its OAT type...also looks like maybe removing the air box and tube might give a little extra room to work...

[@victory2364]

Thank you sir! I'm going to take a crack at it. Did you use any sealant on the flange? Thanks again!

[@user-se5zz3yj9c]

😂😂😂 on the Dad joke..Good content on the Vid Man…Cheers from Alaska AK49👊🇺🇸👊 and Keep on Keeping ON

[@sunnysoftballsisters9139]

No gasket or sealant on new install? Great video, thanks!

[@AskDIYDad]

Nothing beyond what was included - repair has held up great and has been 100% trouble free since the install

[@sunnysoftballsisters9139]

Great. Thanks

[@aldoromero6613]

Hey man what did you do when it would boil over, I’m currently doing mine and it keeps boiling over and the coolant lines are cold from the radiator as if it’s not running through the radiator, I’ve ran it with the cap off to burp the system but it just boils over?

[@AskDIYDad]

I didn’t have that experience but it sounds like your new thermostat isn’t opening. It’s normal for air to bubble into the reservoir but the level should then go down, not up as the thermostat opens and pulls the coolant in. Check the electrical connection of that little plug that goes into the thermostat first - make sure it’s seated correctly as that can affect the thermostat operation

[@enlivend1198]

Did you park on a slight incline to burp the system or squeeze any of the radiator hoses?

[@hockeyhill13]

Can you replace just the spring portion of the thermostat? Not the whole housing. I found the spring part for 35 bucks instead of 140$ for the entire piece

[@AskDIYDad]

I’m not sure if you can disassemble it - it’s all one big molded housing.. I guess you could try and worst case you’re out a few bucks

[@michaelpalmer584]

Thanks for the video

[@victory2364]

I'm guessing the drain plug was too hard to get to, hence - the drainage through the hose?

[@AskDIYDad]

I was trying to drain the least amount of fluid possible.. 🤣

[@dr1co1]

How did you get your reservoir cap off!?!? I think I broke mine. Just unscrew and the cap popped off but there was another cap inside that's impossibly sealed in.

[@AskDIYDad]

Which cap are you talking about? The one at the top of the radiator is sealed but the overflow autopurge should come right off

[@rogerballard3587]

I got the Code on a 2017 2500 6.4. Truck only has 30k miles on it. This video is very helpful. Did you changeout all the coolant? Or add new coolant to what was left in the system?

[@AskDIYDad]

The second - I added back what was lost. The 6.4 has an auto-purge system to deal with the air so keep a close eye on the coolant level in the tank as the engine warms up and add when it pulls in more. I don’t remember how much it took.. a bit over a gallon I think? I also checked it periodically over the next day or two to make sure I topped off as any remaining air was bubbled out of the system

[@victory2364]

... what I meant to ask was - did you 'need' any sealant? Maybe for that price they built in a rubber seal...

[@AskDIYDad]

No additional sealant, no

[@devonkellogg7577]

Any advice for changing the coolant temperature sensor?

[@AskDIYDad]

Hmm - haven’t had to do that but I’d assume it would be easier to access if you pull the thermostat housing as I’m pretty sure it’s just below and to the side of it

[@troyd.521]

Did you use a wobble extension for this or just regular straight ones?

[@AskDIYDad]

Regular straight extensions and careful aim

[@MrLONELYDRIFTER]

How do you add the coolant? No radiator cap?

[@AskDIYDad]

You add to the expansion tank up near the firewall on the passenger side

[@musntang1]

Excellent video, no I have to stop procrastinating and get it done. 😂

[@AskDIYDad]

The procrastination is part of it!

[@musntang1]

I took a step closer and bought the thermostat. But still finding the right time.😂 Excellent video 👍

[@musntang1]

Finally got it done budd.😅

[@FarmCountryLife2024]

I have 110K on my Ram 2500; Knock on wood, no thermostat issues yet. I'm thinking about doing a complete flush however. It really isn't that hard of a job.. just not something I want to do.

[@AskDIYDad]

Messy job but maybe worth it depending on how hard you’re running your truck

[@likuidrano6778]

Hows that duralast part holding up ?

[@AskDIYDad]

About 8k miles and counting on it.. So far so good!

[@likuidrano6778]

@AskDIYDad cool bro thanks just changed out my pw with what I could find which was duralast as well, oem was crazy.

[@david81696]

Great video! My 5th gen 2020 did this as well at 66k. Slowly worked its way down to running at 185f. Eventually gave a CEL. Same exact process for 5th gen just a few more things in the way. I used 1gallon on mine. Did it with the nose slightly up hill.

[@sooperdan]

My 2020 is at 63000 and did the same as your, I've been driving around for the past few weeks and temp will not go over 185...

[@david81696]

@ yup. Thermostat is going bad. Not too bad of a job.

[@HarryRivera-pm7rl]

How do you reset the code?

[@AskDIYDad]

I believe it will reset automatically after a few start/stop/runs but I went to a local auto parts store and had them clear it for free

[@coverado]

Hey Sir! We sincerely look for a collaboration with you! Are you interested in trying our mud flaps and fog lights?😊

[@AskDIYDad]

Good afternoon! I would definitely take a look. You can email me at askdiydad at gmail dot com

[@coverado]

@@AskDIYDad Hi Sir! We sent you an email 3 months ago. Did you receive it?

[@AskDIYDad]

@@coverado nope, but if you would like to try again I would be happy to look at it

[@coverado]

@@AskDIYDad We sent you one more email!

[@Poaf-1]

What a sorry design ., Chevy don’t do that .

[@AskDIYDad]

Agreed - In lots of ways Ram beats Chevy on design.. this is not one of them

[@Poaf-1]

@@AskDIYDad obviously they don’t beat Gm on easy of thermostats replacement. 😂

[@AskDIYDad]

​@@Poaf-1 I think both are equally difficult when it comes to rear spark plugs. Just what happens when one team designs the engine and another team designs the engine bay. They don't always line up in ways that make any sense.

[@Poaf-1]

@@AskDIYDad that 8 hole can be hard but mopar didn’t have to design a housing like that.