Engine Overheating?

Good morning,

I would start by checking the water pump to be sure there is sufficient circulation. there is an impeller that moves the coolant. if it is worn or slipping, it can cause this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/water-pump

Also, I would change the thermostat as well. It could be opening late not allowing circulation.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Lastly, the cooling fan on the front of the motor can also cause this condition. it needs to be checked to verify it is working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-electric-cooling-fan-works

Roy

My dakota keeps overheating, on and off. There are no leaks. what else should I check for?

Sounds like a sticking thermostat!

Any signs of over-heating besides the temp gage? Does the radiator fan/s work ok? The other person has a good idea, about the thermostat.

My truck over heated one day. I replaced thermastat with factory recommend one. Check electric fan and replaced it. My truck tempature gauge says the truck is not running hot, but when you cut it off from runnin it awhile you can hear the boiling noise like it is over heating. What else could the problem be is what I am wanting to know. Could it be the water pump or would the radiator need flushing? There is no howling or leakage from weep hole. It has me worried about the boiling sound that I keep hearing. Thank you, Chris Renfro

I would recommend starting with flushing the cooling system. Also, are you using coolant? Finally, do you have coolant in the vehicle or straight water?

Let me know, and I hope you have a nice Easter.

Joe

I have a 2002 Dakota with the 4.7l engine. The truck has 117k. I have an overheating problem. The latest incident happened after driving 3 1/2 hrs it started to overheat after having replaced the radiator, fan clutch, hoses, thermostat (3rd time) and cap. If I kicked it into passing gear it would cool down to the half way mark, but then heat back up within five minutes or so. I played that game the final hour home. I am not getting oil in the coolant or vice versa. I also am not getting any unusual smoke, and I have plenty of power. I am stumped! HELP!!! Your thoughts?

Sounds like you covered most everything there expect for the water pump , you may not like my answer, but before we go any further I would get the system chemically tested to find out if there are combustion gases in the coolant, if there are, it is likely you may have a bad head gasket/s or cracked head/s pumping combustion gases into the cooling system causing the overheating. Most shops have these testers as they save us alot of time/ and customers money by diagnosing the problem right, the first time. Now if you dont want to visit the shop, I have heard that some parts stores sell, or even loan out these testers, they are simple to use. Lets start there and see what we have. Hope this helps, let me know.

That is kind of what I was thinking to be honest with you. The only other thing I thought of was possibly clogged cats, but...I figure that is more of a long shot. I am thinking someone has previously dumped some headgasket sealant in the thing and clogged the cooling ports. Now my question is this...replace the engine or just have them tear it down and do the headgasket? I am guessing 3k for the engine replacement and labor, or 1500 for just the headgasket...I am thinking the 1500 dollar difference would be worth an engine with zero miles on it. Your thoughts?

Thats a call that you would have to make, if the truck is in nice shape and your gonna hang on to it for a while, the new/reman long block might be the way to go, but I would'nt jump the gun to quick, lets get that test done and make sure we are on the right track before condeming the truck.

Gotcha...I know what you are saying. I am just thinking on the fence. Thank you for your reply and thoughts.

Your welcome, and thank you for using 2carpros, and let me know what you come up with.

The hoses on the heater core, they both get hot, the top radiator hose gets hot as well, but the bottom one does not. I've replaced the thermostat, and bled it many times, but nothing seemed to change. help!

Hello,

You might need to do a flush and fill on the cooling system. You can get cooling system flush at any auto parts store for around $10.00. Here is a link explaining how to do it below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Please go through this guide and get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

If I can jump in here. it sounds like the radiator is plugged and needs to be replaced. here is a guide to help walk you through the steps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-radiator

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Let me know what you find.

Engine Cooling problem
2001 Dodge Dakota V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

disconnect botom hose cant get water out of it while its running. also had small spray under back passanger side bolt in the head

Are you refering to the lower radiator hose? And the spray, was it from the exhaust manifold bolt?

Let me know.

Joe

Engine Cooling problem
2001 Dodge Dakota Front Wheel Drive 90,000 miles

MY son put in a new water pump, then replaced thermostat and little truck is still overheating. What now? Husband said something about new radiator cap. Truck is not leaking tho

10 years old may mean a problem with your radiator or the pressure may not be holding from a leaking head gasket which adds air into a normal system preventing its proper operation. If the head gasket leaks the coolant burns through the exhaust, it is lost and no leaks are found.
Your husband has a good idea as long as the thermostat was already replaced. If he drains the radiator halfway he can inspect the radiator flow. It should be coming out through the cooling passageways, you will see it coming through. That tells you its condition. You can feel the heat also, with your hand. One side will be alot hotter than the other. sorry you have this problem. The fan clutch does go bad also. This keeps the air from flowing across the fins of the radiator at the proper force.

If everything has been replaced on a truck for all that pertains to the coolant, and the vehicle is still overheating...would the cause of this be the water pump not allowing for the coolant to flow in and out of the engine? If so how could you test to make sure?

have you done a pressure test of cooling system to find interal leaks that cause air pockets that result in overheat? did you bleed system thoroughly after parts changes?

To add to fixitmr, Did you check the Fan Clutch?

changed the water pump and thermostat, truck seems to stay at a good temperature until I go down the road a few miles, then overheats still and antifreeze sprays out the overflow cap. There is a lot of pressure built up.

Hello,

This sounds like a classic blown head gasket. Here are a couple of guides to help confirm the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot


Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

I have a 2000 dakota 4.7 that is over heating,both the clutched and electric fans are working properly, I am getting plenty of heat insde so I believe the thermostate is working properly,one thing I have noticed is the coolant does not seem to be flowing like it should, if I take off the cap on the upper hose and let the engine warm up with the heat on high, the coolant will only bubble in the hose. should'nt it be flowwing fast ?. What would be the next step without replacing unnecessary parts(radiator,waterpump) ?
Thank you
Kurt

Hi klfuerst
Let's try some shade tree mechanics. Run truck capped off let it come up to operating temp. feel top hose when thermo opens hose can be squeesed see what temp you have when this occurs if over200
replace thermo. If this is good shut off feel bottom hose hot? then you have flow. Next feel radiator is it hot all over or is bottom cooler than top? If so you could have blockage in rad that is reducing cooling ability.
Let me know
Thanks for donation

Truck overheated two days ago. Replaced upper radiator hose because it was broken. Still overheating. Replaced thermostat today. Still overheating. Engine was replace last March. Came with 58,000 miles. Replaced water pump then. Water pump doesn't seem to be leaking. Stumped on the issue.

Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, does it overheat even if you are driving at highway speed? Have you checked the fan clutch? Has the radiator been flushed? Does it only overheat in stop and go traffic?

Let me know. Here are a few links that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-clutch-fan-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-symptoms

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-removal

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Let me know.

Joe

I'm going to flush the radiator in the morning.

Welcome back:

How did things work out? Did it help?

Joe

I flushed it out like at 3:00 pm mountain time. Put antifreeze. Took it for a ride. Started getting hot. Let it cool down added more antifreeze want for a small ride. Not overheating yet. Time will tell.

Welcome back:

When you refilled the system, did you bleed it? Once you fill the radiator, turn the heat on high and start the engine. Keep topping the radiator until it remains full. Gently pinch the upper hose to "burp" out any air. Since you had to add, there is a chance there was still air in the system, and that can block coolant flow.

Let me know how things work out.

Joe

After I added coolant. Waited for like two hours. Went for a longer ride and truck didn't get hot just went to mid point and stayed there. Got home checked under hood no problems as of yet.

My truck was overheating the other day so i check the reservoir and there was plenty of fluid in it so i didn't check the rad cap. i got in it today and it is still overheating only after driving about .5 miles down the road. I came back home and let it cool, opened the rad cap and there isn't any fluid in the hose! reservoir is still full. I have limited car maintenance experience so I don't really know what to check next. would the water pump be causing this or could the thermostat be stuck? any info would help. Also the heater just blows cold air

thanks

Which hose is empty? Is the radiator clean and full? Does it overheat at highway speeds or only when in stop and go traffic?

Welcome back:

Great! Hopefully that took care of it.

Let me know if you need anything.

Take care,
Joe

The hose with the radiator cap is empty. It overheats under normal driving (45mph). yes the radiator is clean and full.

Thanks a lot!

I think you mean the small hose that goes to the overflow. If that is correct, I would recommend replacing the thermostat to see if that fixes it. IF the coolant is full and the radiator clean, that is the most likely cause.

You are very welcome. Let us know if you need help with anything in the future.

Joe