belt DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2004 3.G Service Manual

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment....................320
N5.9L/5.9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel.......320
mOnboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........321
mReplacement Parts......................322
mDealer Service.........................322
mService Information.....................322
mMaintenance Procedures..................325
NEngine Oil..........................325
NDrive Belt...........................331NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................331
NDraining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......334
NMaintenance Free Batteries...............336
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............338
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............339
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............340
NSteering Linkage Ð Inspection............340
NFront Axle Universal Drive Joints And Pivot
Bearings............................340
7

NOTE:Failure to perform maintenance service at the
specified intervals as outlined in theMaintenance
Schedulesmay void provisions of your Vehicle Warranty.
CAUTION!
To maintain your vehicle safely follow these guide-
lines:
²Watch your vehicle's mileage and check yourMainte-
nance Schedulesregularly for required servicing. Ex-
cessive wear or damage to certain vehicle components
can result if required services are not performed.
²If you have your vehicle undercoated, inspect for
undercoating material on the propeller shafts. Such
material could cause the shafts to become unbalanced
and result in drivetrain vibrations. Remove any under-
coating with solvent.
²If you have your vehicle undercoated, make sure no
undercoating material is sprayed on the exhaust sys-
tem or components of the seat belt system.
NOTE:It is not possible for the manufacturer and
Cummins, Inc. to anticipate every possible circumstance
that can involve a potential hazard.
WARNING!
To maintain your vehicle safely and avoid personal
injury, follow these guidelines:
²Never spray or pour diesel fuel, flammable liquid or
starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner canister, air
intake piping or turbocharger inlet in an attempt to
start the vehicle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 323
7

Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Filter
Care should be taken in disposing of the used engine
fluids from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately
discarded, can present a problem to the environment.
Contact your local dealer, service station, or governmen-
tal agency for advice on recycling programs and where
used fluids and filters can be safely discarded in your
area.
Drive Belt
Inspection
Check the belt for intersecting cracks.
²Transverse (across the belt width) cracks are accept-
able.
²Longitudinal (direction of belt length) cracks that
intersect with transverse cracks are NOT acceptable.Replace the belt if it has unacceptable cracks, is frayed or
has pieces of material missing.
The engine speed sensor, located near the damper, should
be inspected for damage if a belt is frayed.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
CAUTION!
All air entering the engine intake must be filtered.
The abrasive particles in unfiltered air will cause
rapid wear to engine components.
The air filter housing on your Diesel Ram is equipped
with a Filter MinderŸ. This is an air flow restriction
gauge that will indicate when the filter element needs to
be replaced.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 331
7

Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0ÉF (-18É). For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of 120 VAC
powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized Mopartdealer.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an Authorized Dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
WARNING!
²Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs.
²The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning inside rear windows equipped with electric
defrosters or windshields equipped with a windshield
wiper de-icer. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instru-
ments which may scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage will also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 365
7

Miles 22,500 26,250 30,000 33,750 37,500
(Kilometers) (36 000) (42 000) (48 000) (54 000) (60 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X
Rotate tires. X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XXX
Inspect drive belt, replace as required. X
Inspect fan hub. X
Inspect damper. X
Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage. X
Replace fuel filter element. Clean the water in fuel
sensor.X
Change rear axle fluid. X
Change front axle fluid (4X4). X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid. Re-
place filter and adjust bands.X
SCHEDULE ªBº 389
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Miles 41,250 45,000 48,750 52,500 56,250
(Kilometers) (66 000) (72 000) (78 000) (84 000) (90 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X
Rotate tires. X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XX
Inspect drive belt, replace as required. X
Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage. X
Replace fuel filter element. Clean the water in fuel
sensor.X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect and adjust parking brake if necessary. X
Change rear axle fluid. X
Change front axle fluid (4X4). X
390 SCHEDULE ªBº
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Miles 60,000 63,750 67,500 71,250 75,000
(Kilometers) (96 000) (102 000) (108 000) (114 000) (120 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X
Rotate tires. X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) models only. X X X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required. X
Inspect fan hub. X
Inspect damper. X
Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage. X X
Replace fuel filter element. Clean the water in fuel sensor. X X
Inspect front wheel bearings. X
Change rear axle fluid. X X
Change front axle fluid (4X4). X X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Inspect and adjust parking brake if necessary. X X
Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4X4). X
Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid. Replace fil-
ter and adjust bands.X
SCHEDULE ªBº 391
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Miles 78,750 82,500 86,250 90,000 93,750
(Kilometers) (126 000) (132 000) (138 000) (144 000) (150 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X
Rotate tires. X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) models only. X X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required. X
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4). X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Inspect fan hub.X
Inspect damper.X
Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage. X
Replace fuel filter element. Clean the water in fuel sensor. X
Inspect front wheel bearings. X
Inspect brake linings.X
Inspect and adjust parking brake if necessary. X
Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid. Replace fil-
ter and adjust bands.X
392 SCHEDULE ªBº
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Miles 97,500 100,000 101,250 105,000 108,750 112,500
(Kilometers) (156 000) (160 000) (162 000) (168 000) (174 000) (180 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X
Rotate tires. X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4)
models only.XXX
Flush and replace engine coolant. X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required. X
Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage. X
Replace fuel filter element. Clean the water in
fuel sensor.X
Change rear axle fluid. X
Change front axle fluid (4X4). X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect and adjust parking brake if necessary. X
SCHEDULE ªBº 393
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