How to Replace the Water Hoses in a Dodge Intrepid

Although production of the Intrepid stopped in 2004, there are still many Intrepid owners. The sleek, stylish look of the Intrepid goes a long way with devotees. Some things never change, and belt and hose replacement is one of them. Take the necessary steps to replace the water hoses in your Dodge Intrepid.

Instructions

Remove Old Hoses

1

Select the correct water or radiator hoses at your auto parts retailer, which are Gates radiator hoses W0133-1634554 (upper) and W0133-1630527 (lower). These are for a Dodge Intrepid 1998 to 2004.

2

Remove the old clamps depending on whether they are adjustable or tension. Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the screw that controls the tension of an adjustable clamp to move it out of the way. If the clamp is a wire tension clamp, use pliers and squeeze the clamp to move it to an area of the hose that is more pliable so it is out of the way.

3

Take a picture of the original placement if you have a digital camera so you can replicate it. Mark where the old hose came to on the machinery so you can put the replacement up the same amount and avoid leakage.

4

Slit the old hose with a utility knife if it has seized to the machinery to aid in removal. Now use a piece of coarse sandpaper to clean the area where the hose was stuck to the automobile part. Clean the other connection areas while they are free.

5

Block the rear wheels, jack up the Dodge Intrepid one side at a time, put the jack stands in place and let the car down on the jack stand. Place a container below the radiator to catch the coolant mixture so it does not go into the storm drains and thus the ground water.

6

Do away with the top hose by slipping it off the radiator shroud at one end and the thermostat housing at the other. Drain the radiator by opening the drain plug located at the bottom, or take out the bottom hose and discard with the old clamps. Sand the areas where the old hose met the Dodge Intrepid parts to remove pieces of hose and other grit. Pour the old coolant into an empty coolant bottle and dispose of properly.

Install New Hoses

7

Push the hose securely onto the top opening in the radiator shroud at one end and the thermostat housing (at the top of the water pump) on the other. Place the clamps on the top hose and slide toward the middle of the hose. Tighten each clamp by tightening the screw.

8

Reverse the steps used in removing the old Dodge Intrepid hoses to install the new ones. Use adjustable clamps with screws for greater protection in holding the new hoses in place.

9

Repeat Step 2 for the clamps and connect the hose to the bottom radiator shroud at one end and the bottom of the engine at the other. Adjust the clamps into place and tighten the screw.

10

Pour the old coolant back into the radiator if it is not dirty. Fill the remaining space in the radiator with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water up to the cap line. Add more as it goes down. Do this until it stops percolating and making room for more coolant. Start the engine with the radiator cap still open.

11

Start up the Dodge Intrepid. The thermostat will get warmer and the fluid will drop as the coolant begins to circulate. From here, you can finish filling up the radiator. Replace the radiator cap and fill up the overflow reservoir to the line marked "full."

12

Check to see that the temperature gauge doesn't run higher than before. Verify that the drain plug is closed and there are no leaks at the hose connections or anywhere else.