2004 Dodge Neon Owner Manual SRT-4 - Page 148

148 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE Cooling System WARNING! • When working near the radiator cooling fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition key to the OFF position. The fan is temperature controlled and can start at any time the ignition key is in the ON position. • You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, don't open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator is hot. Coolant Checks Check coolant protection every 12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of the radiator for an accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. Clean the radiator by gently spraying water from a garden hose at the back of the core. Check the recovery bottle tank tubing for condition and tightness of connection at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks. With the engine at normal operating temperature (but not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing properly, the coolant will begin to drain from the reserve tank. Do not remove the cap when the cooling system is hot. Cooling System - Drain, Flush and Refill At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules, the system should be drained, flushed and refilled. If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Discard oil antifreeze solution.