Dodge ram heat?

[icefisherman]

I have a 2001 ram 5.9l when it gets below maybe 20 the heat starts to blow cooler air when its idoling, than when I take off it warms up a little bit more. I have a new waterpump and a newer thermostat, antifreeze is full. When its below zero it never gets that warm but like 30 than its hot. My temp gage in the truck reads about 180. Plugged heater core?

[Jeremy airjer W]

You would be the third one this week I have run into. Have the heater core back flushed. At idle you should have between 120 and 140 degrees coming out of the vents on medium high. At 2,000 RPM you should have at least 150 degrees.

[icefisherman]

how would I go about back flushing it my self? Could I just flip flop the hoses going into the heater core, so it would flow backwards than work it self out?

[merkman]

You would be the third one this week I have run into.

Make that 4, I have the same issue with my Ram.

[Scott K]

Huh, I just got a phone call about this same thing, I wonder if the -28 this morning will effect how much heat comes out?

[1DIRTBALL]

how would I go about back flushing it my self? Could I just flip flop the hoses going into the heater core, so it would flow backwards than work it self out?

You would not get the desired result's doing it that way. First warm up the engine and then feel the hose's so you can tell which one goes into and out of the heater core. The warmer of the 2 hose's will be the one flowing in. Then shut the engine off and let it cool down for a while. Then disconnect the 2 hose's where they go into the firewall. Then you will need to use some kind of disolving agent on the interior of your heater core. I think Prestone make's one called Super Flush or something like that. You will need to remove any remaining anti-freeze from the heater core before you apply the flushing cleaner. Then just follow the manufacturer's direction's. After that has been completed, attach a hose to the out going hose connection on the firewall. Then flush the heater core thoroughly with the running water. Make sure you have your heater control's set for maximum heat output before you do the flushing. After that, reconnect the 2 hose's to the correct connection's on the firewall. Make a note to yourself right on the firewall as to which one is outgoing and incoming. After that's done, you should be good to go! Don't forget to add some more anti-freeze to compensate for what you will lose doing this procedure. Make a final check of your anti-freeze to be sure you have brought it back up to the desired level of protection. After all of that you should end up with toasty tootsie's! I hope this help's you. 1DIRTBALL

[Jeremy airjer W]

On the older ones the hose on the passenger side was the supply hose. They had a splice about half way back to the heater core. The other hose was attached to the pipe on the water pump which also made it convenient to remove. With both hoses removed attach a garden hose to the hose on the drivers side and turn it on. I like to blow them out with an air hose (using very little pressure) and then repeat until the water runs clear.

I also like to blow them out before reinstalling the hoses so I don't dilute the coolant with the plain water left in the heater core. once the hoses are installed add coolant to the radiator and start it up. Leave the cap off, let idle until completely warm, and top off the coolant as needed. You may have to rev up the engine several times and or increase engine RPM to get all the air out of the heater core. You know if you where successful because it should be a sauna in cab!!

[Phred52]

OR, The hose from the waterpump is the supply and the hose to the intake manifold is the return. AIRJER, Are you seeing the 2004 and up Rams having trouble with broken mixing doors like the older models? Phred52

[Jeremy airjer W]

I have not run into newer rams with that problem. Plenty of jeeps though!

[Phred52]

That's the impression I got too. There had to be a design change in there someplace that improved that mixing door. Phred52

[jigginlow]

I've currently got a bad mixing door on a 2003 Ram 2500. Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone completed the update? How difficult would it be to do myself with above average mechanical skills and tools?

[Jeremy airjer W]

the jeep I just did in about 5 hours took our G.S. with above average skills about 12 hours to do on his own jeep. Its not complicated but labor intensive. It wouldn't hurt to swing buy your local library to see if the offer alldata. If they do you can print off the step by step instruction on how to do it.