How to Bleed a Radiator - Jeep/Dodge 4.7L

The process for bleeding the radiator on a Jeep/Dodge 4.7L V* is not the same as in most vehicles. Improper bleeding of air from the syste, can lead to overheating and serious engine failures.

The vehicle in this video is a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ, but this process will be the same for all Jeep/Dodge 4.7L V8s.

Need to replace the radiator for your 4.7L? Checkout this video:

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We hope you enjoyed this video and will keep in mind that all information included is intended to be purely academic and in fact is only the opinion of D&E. We are not professionals, nor are we qualified to knight you a professional. D&E want to ensure that anyone modify or fixing their own vehicle does so in a safe manner which leaves the vehicle in a legal, roadworthy state. In short, DON'T BE A MONKEY WITH A TOOL BOX! If you don't know what you are doing, leave it the professionals!

[michaelstraka]

Proud owner of a completely rust free 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 4.7 H.O. V8. For the last 3 months, I was plagued by my truck overheating, sent it into the shop MULTIPLE times to get it figured out. Each time replaced parts (thermostat, heater hoses, power steering pump, even completely replaced the AC Pump. Same issue, truck kept overheating, UP UNTIL I SAW THIS VIDEO! Woke up, came outside, and followed this video. Lo and behold, almost a whole jug low on coolant when I followed this process! Finally saw coolant through that bleeder valve, capped it off, and boom! Truck has ran LITTERALLY FLAWLESSLY since. I seriously cant thank you enough! You litterally saved a good truck thats 22 years old and means the world to me!

[curtisjohnson]

I'm gonna tell you a story I have a 2013 Dodge ram 1500 started overheating don't know why so I changed out the water hose the thermostat still was overheating so I Changed out the Fan clutch new radiator new water pump still overheating I was at a low point of giving up Then I ask God for help he showed me your video I want to personally thank you sir your video just made my day now my truck Has stop overheating Working fine now GOD BLESS YOU

[thee]

it's always little sneaky issues like this that kill perfectly fine vehicles... thanks for spreading awareness!!

[ronadamson]

A better way to fill and bleed the coolant is to remove that 8 mm plug, take a transmission funnel with the small end and screw it into the bleeder hole where the 8mm plug was, remove the radiator cap, fill the cooling system through the funnel until coolant comes out of the radiator where the cap was.basically you are reverse bleeding it.i do it all the time at the Chrysler dealership I work at.this method works well quickly.

[stephenreynolds]

Changed the waterpump the other day and still overheated.. wracking my brain 3 days now as to why, this explained it! Thanks man, I appreciate the video!

[BBBT]

Many thanks! My son's 2005 Dodge 1500 4.7 liter overheated. I found that the waterpump was going out. So we replaced it. While there I decided to replace the lower hose. Hence all fluid ran out. Refilled and after a few minutes we overheated again. Upper hose hot and lower cold. That made me think the thermostat was stuck. So I finally found the dang thing. Never found one on the bottom before. Came across your video while looking for pointers on changing the thermostat. Hmm. We didn't do that. Followed your instructions and boom. It stayed at operating temp for a five mile trip in 2nd at 2500-3000rpms. I call this job done. Again thanks!

[johnwarner]

Like many of these other comments I was almost at the point of giving up. I flushed the radiator, change the water pump, changed the thermostat but nothing stopped it from overheating. As soon as I did what you explained in this video I watched the bubbles come out for about 5 minutes. Now it's running perfect this saved my butt, thank you.

[nicholashall]

I was having over heating issues in my 4.7. It has a new water pump, thermostat and housing, brand new radiator and all hoses/clamps. I had no idea I had to do this. It's in an 03 dodge durango. Has 236, 000 miles. Thanks man you probably just saved my motor.

[firebir]

I’ve done this procedure on my 3.7, basically same engine layout, it’s no big deal and very easy (simply watch for bubbles and take your time)

[ramvan]

My 4.7 Dakota has been overheating like crazy. I am trying thin tomorrow. Thx dude, it this works I’ll be really really happy

[tbrackett]

THANK YOU! Working on radiator replacement in the next few days. Waiting for parts. You saved me from a serious ASS REAMING from the wife. I can see it now! This radiator is a pain in the ass! I miss the simplicity of my 1970 F100. Thanks again!

[babaoreally]

Quite similar filling procedure to a Terminator 4.6L. V8.the bleeder is in a steel crossover tube at the front of the motor.A collision center failed to fill properly after repairs.Engine overheated with no warning, damaging the aluminum heads and the oil cooler adapter.Insurance company approved $6, 000 worth of repairs.This was very informative, as a friend has one of these with overheating problems.

[DanielPerez-cvxi]

This is the exact reason I’ve had to rebuild my top end twice on my 06 Commander 4.7. Seeing this definitely shows me why I keep having the same issue thanks.

[ANN_Ghoul]

This explains so much! Ive never heard about this before and doubt anyone whos owned or serviced this jeep before me knew either. Thank you for your knowledge!

[MartinJohnson-lf]

Thanks for the info. Just replaced the radiator and could not figure out why it kept spewing now i get it. Good motors but some design flaws for sure. Great to the point video with good volume and clarity. Thanks man

[samclemons]

Thanks for the help. I just got done doing this on my Ram 4.7. My engine is actually running a little cooler now that I flushed it and put the right coolant in it.

[DerkJester]

I just purchased an 04 Ram 1500 with the 4.7. Had it start to run a little warm in a drive thru and two days later this video comes up. I know what I’m going to do soon. Haha. Thank you!

[daveh]

This video saved many lives !! I almost went berserker barrage with a sledgehammer after I switched out my water pump and radiator, and it was still overheating.
Thank you!!

[byronwhitney]

Thank you so much. I was not aware of this procedure. I just replaced the heads and water pump on my 2003 JGC with the 4.7 HO engine. I performed this procedure and successfully removed the air that was in the system. Great content for shade tree mechanic’s like myself.

[denwin]

I have a 2003 Ram with a 4.7. Overheated a year ago, replaced the thermostat and changed the coolant, but I hadn't taken it on any long trips or pulled anything since so no problems. Today, a year later, it was running at the top of the gage after a 50 mile trip. I remember bleeding it, but not quite this way. I will try it and let you know if it helps. Thanks for posting your video.