engine overheating?

2010 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
114,500 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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HUFFY
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I just purchased this van. "Problem" when I run the engine at idle, everything's fine until I shut it off, then the radiator blows off in to the overflow tank.
But the temperature never goes over half way on the gauge?
If I let it idle it's okay but the fan never comes on.
Idling with the A/C on the fan cycles normal and no blow off at shut down?
now when it's blowing off filling the overflow tank and I restart it, it immediately starts to draw the coolant back into the radiator?
Now do you think that it could be do to the fact that the cooling fan is not coming on? maybe cooling fan relay? temperature sensor? or something else, all together? and also what about the temperature gauge never going over half way?
I would love any help you can offer. Thanks so much!
Dan
Jan 6, 2019 at 3:41 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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good evening.

You have all indications of a bad radiator cap. there are two valves inside the cap. Check out this guide to help confirm the issue

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

I would replace it and retest it again.

Roy
Jan 6, 2019 at 4:10 PM
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HUFFY
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Thanks Roy,
That sounds like an easy fix, I'll try that tomorrow, stores are all close now.
Thanks again,
Dan
Jan 6, 2019 at 5:16 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Jan 6, 2019 at 5:26 PM
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HUFFY
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Hi Roy,
Just wanted to check in one last time and let you know your theory was correct, I installed a new cap & did a check, And it's all good! also your service is a great to all of us! please keep it up! thanks again
Dan
Jan 7, 2019 at 1:32 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome Dan.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Jan 7, 2019 at 2:28 PM
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KENNETH 123
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It overheated one I put water in it and have not been able to get it to do it again what do I do about it? all I did was the radiator cap and put water in it.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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if you replaced cap it may have been that, but keep an eye on it and if goes down again lets check out these guides to help us understand how to fix it and whats going on.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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SO LOST
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My temperature gauge is always under the half way mark but comes very close to half! I change my thermostat four times, also the hoses also changed, the relay that lays on the bumper. my cooling fans do not come on when i turn on my A/C. so i checked the blades they move fine. i also did a wire to the battery and only one fan came on. i have two fans. my belt is fine, my water pump is good. i lose antifreeze only when the engine is hot, but again it doesn't overheat. any advice will help.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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SCGRANTURISMO
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Hello,

Your engine cooling fans not coming on could be a problem with Ground #102, which is near the left headlight. Please check this ground and make sure that it is clean, tight, corrosion free, and making good metal to metal contact. I have included a wiring diagram for your vehicle's engine cooling fans as well as a diagram for where Ground #102 is located at on your car. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
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Dec 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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SO LOST
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Hi im sorry i didnt mention f
The fan on the drivers aide doesn't come on with a strait wire the passenger fan does come on! I also got bump into on the driver side bumper thats when i had troubles with my engine heating up would the ground wire 1o2 also be for the drivers fan? Sorry im just learning this stuff single mom and cant afford to keep bying parts that aint broke thank you for the advice
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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SCGRANTURISMO
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Hello again,

Ground #102 is a bolt that will have ground wires with ring connectors(called this because they are round and ring shaped)bolted to the body. This ground location is curiously on the drivers side front by the headlight. Very easy to inspect. A wire brush and a very little elbow grease should get the job done.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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KEVIN M
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Our van just started overheating this week where do you recommend I start trouble shooting. the fan or is there a sensor in line that I will need to look at, if so where is it? Since there are two fans which one goes out first usually?
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
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[quote:0aacde6b3f="Kevin M"]Engine Cooling problem
2005 Chrysler Town and Country 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 74,000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
Our van just started overheating this week where do you recommend I start trouble shooting. the fan or is there a sensor in line that I will need to look at, if so where is it? Since there are two fans which one goes out first usually?[/quote:0aacde6b3f]


Coolant Level....

Since there are 2 fans one should come on when you turn the A/C on.

I would start the vehicle let it run till Normal Opperating Temp. Keep eye on temp and watch to see if the fan or fans come on. If not there is a fan relay under the vehicle on the drivers side on the inside frame rail....
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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ALVYNESS
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I just replaced my radiator an took out my thermostat my car keeps over heating an I have to drive with out the cap so wont over heat there is no water in the oil im not sure if there is a clog or what any one got a clue
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I have some questions. First, does the engine overheat at any speed or is it only in town driving? Next, did you remove the thermostat or replace it? Are the cooling fans turning on when it gets hot? Have you had the radiator cap tested to make sure it isn't weak? Finally, have you checked to make sure neither the upper nor lower radiator hose is squeezing shut when it is overheating?


One last thought. With the engine cold, if you remove the radiator cap and start the engine, does coolant shoot out?
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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ALVYNESS
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Its not overheating right now cause I'm driving with out the car on the radiator but when I was driving with the cap on it would over heat with in few minis... I removed the thermostat cause everyone say in Florida I don't need one... the fans are turning on.. I replaced the one I had its a brand new 16lb cap ... no the hoses are actually expanding cause of the pressure... an I use water not coolant but wen I cold start it still bubbles the water....
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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First, you should have the thermostat in the vehicle. Not having one can actually allow the coolant to circulate too fast and never have a chance to cool down in the radiator. Thus, causing overheating. Second, water boils at 212 degrees F. The engine runs around that temp during hot days. Antifreeze has a much higher boiling point and prevents rust and corrosion in the engine and lubricates the water pump. Now my real concern. The "water" shouldn't be bubbling when you first start the engine (cold). There is a chance that a head gasket is leaking compression into the cooling system.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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ANIKAN123
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After 5 -10 minutes of running the starts to smoke white vapor from the drivers side.

Close to the radiator.

Only from the side.

An the car starts blinking that its to hot. It goes from medium heat to hot , in a seonds once it gets hot.

Please let me know is ou would like me to upload a video of the car condion to you tube and send links.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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HOMER1967
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you have a severe coolant leak,the cooling system will need to be inspected/pressurized to determine the root cause.continueing to it can cause severe engine damage.get it towed to the nearest shop and have it diagnosed.it could be anything from the radiator tank to a blown hose.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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ANIKAN123
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Thank you, how does this work.

I would like your help, how much is it for questions etc.

This is how it smokes, I could not see any major leaks anywhere visible with my eyes. Or under the hood.

Link to problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap1eybVaYy4
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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HOMER1967
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nice link.it looks like you have either a radiator or radiator hose issue.it is severe.do not drive this vehicle.there is a "how it works" link at the top of the page,which should help you understand how this site works.this system needs to be checked out by someone who knows what they are looking for and has the proper equipment.please be very careful messing around with that leak.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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ADRYANA AGUIRRE
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My car runs great with the air on while i am in constant driving without very many stops. When I stop a lot or constantly it starts overheating. I turn off air conditioner and the gauge goes down real fast. It has coolant but a little more then it should.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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STEVE W.
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Sounds like the electric fan is not operating properly. It should come on and keep the system cool. This shows up more with the AC on because the condenser mounted in front of the radiator dumps a lot of heat to make the AC system work.

The fan control module would be my first suspect to test after checking the fan fuse, they are a known issue on Chrysler vehicles.
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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NICOLE1991
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me? I have the van listed above it has been losing radiator fluid somewhere (not in my driveway). Been just refilling it all the time. Well today while driving my van just shut off. I do not know if it overheated as I did not notice until it shut off. I suspect it did. I pulled off and tried to restart it and it kind of tried and then started clicking. I was able to let it cool down and then put antifreeze in it. It had none. Still would not start. Then I got a jump and it started and seems to run fine. Took to advanced auto and they said battery, alternator, and starter are fine. Does anyone know if I may have done damage to motor or if this van has something that senses danger and turns off on its own to prevent motor problems? Any help would be appreciated as I am clueless to this stuff. Oh and I do not have antifreeze in my oil. Not sure if posting in right place. Sorry if not.   
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

It does sound like you have damaged the engine from overheating. You need someone to do a leak down test on the cylinders to see if there is a head gasket failure.

Any shop can do this. This will confirm if there is damage to the engine.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test
Dec 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM (Merged)