🔧 1500 - Radiator Hose Replacement

This repair replaces a leaking, swollen, cracked, or soft radiator hose on your 1500. The radiator hoses carry hot engine coolant between the radiator and the engine, so the cooling system must be opened, refilled, and bled correctly afterward.

Assumption: This guide covers the upper or lower radiator hose on your 3.6L mild-hybrid 1500; the steps note the differences where needed.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and burn you badly.
• ⚠️ Let your 1500 cool for at least 2-3 hours before starting.
• ⚠️ Coolant is poisonous to people and pets. Catch it in a drain pan and dispose of it properly.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves because coolant can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Disconnecting the 12V battery is not normally required for radiator hose replacement, but keep hands and tools away from the electric cooling fan area.
• ⚠️ Your 1500 has an eTorque mild-hybrid system. Do not touch orange high-voltage cables or hybrid components during this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan 2-gallon minimum
• Flat-blade screwdriver 1/4-inch
• Hose clamp pliers 45-degree (specialty)
• Slip-joint pliers 10-inch
• Trim clip removal tool
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Funnel with spill-free coolant adapter (specialty)
• Clean shop towels
• Flashlight
• Plastic scraper
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive

Hose clamp pliers squeeze spring clamps evenly.

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Upper radiator hose - Qty: 1, if replacing upper hose
• Lower radiator hose - Qty: 1, if replacing lower hose
• Radiator hose spring clamps - Qty: 2 per hose, replace if weak, rusty, or damaged
• Mopar-compatible OAT coolant concentrate - Qty: 1 gallon
• Distilled water - Qty: 1 gallon, if using concentrate
• Pre-mixed 50/50 Mopar-compatible OAT coolant - Qty: 1-2 gallons, if not using concentrate

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on level ground.
• Set the parking brake.
• Move the shifter to Park.
• Let the engine fully cool before opening the cooling system.
• Place the drain pan under the radiator area before removing any hose.
• Use only OAT coolant that is compatible with Ram factory coolant. Do not mix universal green coolant with the factory OAT coolant.
• If equipped with an underbody splash shield, remove only the fasteners needed for access.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Cool the Engine and Open the Reservoir

• Use safety glasses and nitrile gloves before touching the cooling system.
• Make sure the upper radiator hose feels cool with your hand.
• Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap by hand to release any leftover pressure.
• Remove the cap and set it on a clean towel.
• Cold engine only. No shortcuts.

Step 2: Raise Access if Needed

• If replacing the upper radiator hose, you can usually work from above with a flashlight.
• If replacing the lower radiator hose, place the drain pan under the lower radiator area.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to remove any lower splash shield clips that block access.
• Use the 8mm socket or 10mm socket with the 3/8-inch ratchet to remove any splash shield bolts if equipped.
• Set the clips and bolts aside in order so they go back into the same locations.

Step 3: Drain Enough Coolant

• Place the drain pan directly under the hose connection you are removing.
• If the lower radiator drain is accessible, use the flat-blade screwdriver 1/4-inch to carefully open the radiator drain petcock if equipped.
• Drain enough coolant so the level is below the hose you are replacing.
• If the drain petcock is not easy to reach, leave it alone and drain through the hose carefully in the next step.
• Close the radiator drain petcock gently with the flat-blade screwdriver 1/4-inch if you opened it.
• Do not force plastic drain parts.

Step 4: Release the First Hose Clamp

• Use the hose clamp pliers 45-degree to squeeze the spring clamp tabs together.
• A spring clamp is a factory clamp that keeps steady pressure on the hose as it expands and contracts.
• Slide the clamp back several inches onto the hose.
• If the clamp is hard to reach, use the slip-joint pliers 10-inch carefully.
• Do not crush plastic radiator necks or thermostat housing fittings.

Step 5: Break the Hose Loose

• Use your hand to gently twist the hose left and right to break the seal.
• If it is stuck, use the flat-blade screwdriver 1/4-inch carefully between the hose and fitting to lift the rubber edge slightly.
• Do not pry hard against plastic fittings.
• Pull the hose off slowly and aim the opening into the drain pan.
• Use clean shop towels to wipe spilled coolant.

Step 6: Remove the Opposite End of the Hose

• Use the hose clamp pliers 45-degree to squeeze the second spring clamp.
• Slide the clamp back onto the hose.
• Twist the hose by hand to loosen it.
• Pull the hose off the fitting and keep the drain pan underneath.
• Remove the old hose from your 1500.

Step 7: Inspect the Fittings

• Use the flashlight to inspect both hose fittings for cracks, corrosion, or leftover rubber.
• Use the plastic scraper to gently remove stuck rubber or crusty coolant residue.
• Use clean shop towels to wipe the sealing surfaces dry.
• Do not use sandpaper on plastic fittings.
• If a plastic neck is cracked, the connected part must be replaced before installing the new hose.

Step 8: Compare the New Hose

• Place the new radiator hose next to the old hose.
• Confirm the bends, length, and inside diameter match.
• Transfer reusable spring clamps to the new hose using the hose clamp pliers 45-degree.
• Install new clamps if the old clamps are rusty, weak, bent, or no longer spring back firmly.
• Matching shape prevents kinks.

Step 9: Install the New Hose

• Push one end of the new hose fully onto the first fitting by hand.
• Push the other end fully onto the second fitting by hand.
• Make sure the hose is not twisted, kinked, or touching sharp edges.
• Use the hose clamp pliers 45-degree to slide each clamp into its original clamp mark on the hose.
• The clamp should sit behind the raised bead on the fitting, not on top of it.

Step 10: Reinstall Any Splash Shield

• Use the trim clip removal tool by hand to reinstall any splash shield clips.
• Use the 8mm socket or 10mm socket with the 3/8-inch ratchet to reinstall any splash shield bolts.
• Use the torque wrench 3/8-inch drive only if the shield uses threaded bolts.
• Torque small splash shield bolts to 5-7 Nm (44-62 in-lbs).
• Do not overtighten plastic shield fasteners.

Step 11: Refill the Cooling System

• Install the funnel with spill-free coolant adapter into the coolant reservoir opening.
• If using concentrate, mix Mopar-compatible OAT coolant and distilled water at a 50/50 ratio in a clean container.
• Slowly pour the 50/50 coolant mixture into the reservoir using the funnel.
• Fill until the coolant level reaches the proper cold-fill mark on the reservoir.
• Leave the spill-free funnel partially filled while bleeding air.

Step 12: Bleed Air from the System

• Start the engine with the reservoir funnel installed.
• Set the climate control to full heat using the cabin controls.
• Let the engine idle and watch the coolant level in the funnel.
• Use the flashlight to check the new hose ends for leaks while the engine warms up.
• When the upper radiator hose gets warm and coolant flow stabilizes, air bubbles should reduce.
• Add 50/50 coolant as needed using the funnel to keep the reservoir from running low.
• Install the coolant reservoir cap by hand when bubbling stops and the level is correct.

Step 13: Final Leak Check

• Let the engine idle until it reaches normal operating temperature.
• Use the flashlight to inspect both hose ends.
• Check that the temperature gauge stays normal.
• Shut the engine off and let it cool fully.
• Recheck the coolant level at the reservoir cold-fill mark.
• Add 50/50 coolant if needed using the funnel.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Take a short 10-15 minute test drive while watching the temperature gauge.
• ✅ Park your 1500 and inspect under the front of the truck for drips.
• ✅ After the engine cools completely, recheck the coolant reservoir level.
• ✅ Recheck the new hose clamps after one full heat cycle.
• ✅ Dispose of used coolant at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts coolant.
• ✅ If the engine overheats, the heater blows cold at idle, or the level keeps dropping, stop driving and recheck for air pockets or leaks.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$380 per hose replacement, depending on hose location and coolant quantity

DIY Cost: $35-$120 per hose with coolant

You Save: $145-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.5 hours.

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