[DEMONiAM]

***EDIT-Mod, please move this to appropriate forum, sorry***

Hey all.

I have a 2000 Dakota 3.9l Regular cab that desparately needs an antifreeze change. I know to drain the radiator at the bottom, driver's side corner. Use a 3/8" hose to make the draining process mess-free.

I can not find the engine block drain plugs, though. Can someone describe to me where exactly I'd find both of them? Photos would be nice. I found a bolt (don't know if it's the right one) on the driver's side, but there was none that could be seen from the psgr side of the engine. Unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

Thanks for the help

Also, while I'm at it...Is the 180 thermostat really worth doing? Was going to do that since I'll have the truck drained out. My truck is stock as of right now, but I'm gonna start doing basic mods in the new year.

Thanks again

 

[dakota g33k]

i had my truck serviced yesterday, they took care of all the fluids. but according to my 00-03 haynes manual there are cylinder block drains on both sides of the block.

i did the thermostat swap last may, it is easiest when there is no coolant in the upper radiator hose. very cheap, cost me only $8 for the thermo, gasket and a siphon pump from autozone. i didn't notice any benefit from the swap except that the engine ran cooler as shown on the gauge panel.

 

[DEMONiAM]

The haynes manual is very vague as to where to find the block plugs...

 

[99durango318]

HEEH??? Engine Block plugs aint what you want.... just pop off the lower radiator hose and drain the fluid that way..... DO NOT SCREW WITH THE FREEZ PLUGS IN UR BLOCK!!!...... This is how its done at the dealer..... or we use a flush machine..... but if you want to drain the coolant disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator......I hope you get this in tiem

 

[DEMONiAM]

good to know..dcon the lower radiator hose will drain the engine?

that i wasn't told by Haynes.

Thanks for the lookout.

Is Prestone flush a decent brand, I bought the Cleaner and the Flush. Need to do it this week before Xmas.

 

[360 xrt]

also a floor jack to lift the rear of the truck higher or a pitch driveway helps to get all the anti-freeze out quicker.

 

[DEMONiAM]

Thanks for the hel, guys...

What about the thermostat? When I went to PepBoys, they had a 160 and a 195 thermo. I've read a lot on this site about the 180, which i guess i'd have to order. Is a 180 worth going for in a 3.9?

 

[99durango318]

Go for it, The 180 stat wont hurt anything plus it only costs like 10 bucks....Dont go 160 and i think 195 is stock or close to it......

 

[DEMONiAM]

what's the best brand to get?

 

[dakota g33k]

got a couple listed at the parts page. i didn't ask specifically for a brand and wound up with "DuraLast". i've read that robertshaw are the best, i think they are now owned and distributed by fram iirc

 

[aw738]

Removing the lower radiator hose will not let all of the antifreeze drain. The pump is above the lowest level of the coolant passages. Also you do not have to remove any core hole plugs (they are not freeze plugs). The drains should be in the sides of the block just above the oil pan. BTW core hole plugs are NOT designed to pop out if the coolant freezes. The are there to plug the holes in the block after removing sand from the casting process.

 

[DennisO]

Go to Wal-mart auto section and buy a back flush kit. They are like 5-6 bucks I think. You splice into one of your heater hoses with a T-connector provided in the kit. That allows you to hook a water hose up to the T. The kit also comes with an angled tube (which directs the flow out of the engine bay) you put in your radiator where your pressure cap is. Make sure your motor is cold before you do this of course. Now turn the water hose on and start your motor w/ your heater on. That will backflush all of the shit out of your coolant system. When clear water comes out of your radiator your good to go.

 

[DEMONiAM]

I'll look in to getting one of these

 

[DEMONiAM]

Should I be able to find a 180 thermo in a auto store? Will it be listed under another vehicle other that 2000 dakota 3.9?

 

[dakota g33k]

yes, i asked at autozone. they just needed year and engine. from what i know the thermostats are similar for the 3.9/5.2/5.9. 3.7 and 4.7 will take the same part with slight modification.

i used http://www.dakota-truck.net/UPGRADES/TSTAT/index.html as a guide for installing mine. i only drained out the coolant in the upper hose after letting the dak sit overnight. swap took less than 2 hours. didn't need to mess with anything but the hoseclamp and the two bolts securing the thermo housing.

 

[DEMONiAM]

thanks for that link!

 

[Jalkai]

He wasn't talking about the freeze plug, there are bolts on the block that can be unscrewed to let coolant out, you need to put teflon tape or paste on the threads to seal them again when you put them back. I am going to find mine tomorrow, I have a 5.9 might be different than yours. But I'll let yo know where I found them.