How to Change the Coolant in a 2002 Dodge Caravan
Changing the coolant on your 2002 Dodge Caravan is an important maintenance schedule procedure to ensure the balance of the coolant is sufficient in both temperature and PH balance. Too much or too little of either will compromise the heating system and allow corrosives to build up internally in the water table of the vehicle. While a coolant flush is a far superior service than a drain-and-fill, changing the fluid by draining the radiator and then refilling it is still a step in the right direction and much more affordable.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Drain bucket
- Floor jack
- 2 jack stands
- Channel locks
- Straightedge screwdriver
- 2 gallons Dodge-approved coolant (premixed, or 1 gallon concentrate and 1 gallon water)
- Funnel
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1
Allow the 2002 Dodge Caravan to cool down if the engine is warm or hot.
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2
Lift the front of the Caravan with a floor jack and then place the jacks stand under the front engine mounts to safely and securely support the weight of the minivan.
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3
Crawl under the vehicle and place the drain bucket beneath the petcock valve. Turn the petcock valve counterclockwise until coolant is draining freely from the radiator. On some 2002 models, removal of the splash guard may be required. Align the flow of the coolant to drain effectively into the drain bucket.
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4
Return the the top of the engine compartment of the Caravan and carefully remove the radiator cap. This will create a gravity air pocket and allow more free-flow of the coolant. Adjust the position of the drain bucket if necessary.
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5
Crawl back under and remove the lower radiator hose clamp. An original clamp will require a pair of channel locks to squeeze the tension tabs of the clamp and then reposition it further up the hose. An aftermarket clamp may require a screwdriver to loosen the clamp and then slide it forward. Pry the lower radiator hose away from the radiator and allow the excess coolant to drain into the bucket thoroughly.
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6
Replace the hose, replace the clamp and then lower the Caravan to the ground.
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7
Place a funnel into the neck of the radiator and then fill it with Dodge-approved diluted antifreeze. Most coolants can be purchased as a 50 percent mix dilution or 100 percent coolant concentrate. The concentrate is cheaper because you have to dilute it yourself with equal parts concentrated coolant and water. Allow the coolant to settle into the radiator and water table, then re-add coolant as necessary.
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8
Start the Caravan when the radiator will not take any more coolant mix. Allow the Caravan to run at operating temperature for several minutes until the temperature gauge is positioned correctly.
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9
Allow the Caravan to idle for 20 to 30 minutes with the radiator cap off and the drain bucket strategically located beneath the radiator fill-neck to catch any purging coolant. The system will need to bleed the air pockets from inside it. Check the temperature gauge often and refill the radiator with coolant as necessary.
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10
Replace the radiator cap and then test-drive the Caravan for 15 minutes or so--keeping an eye on the temperature gauge.
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11
Park the Caravan and then allow it to cool down before rechecking and adjusting the level of the coolant.
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