why is my car over heating

2000 DODGE INTREPID
161,000 MILES
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ZACH.EMBRY
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its been overheating and i can smell coolant, plus my fans havent been working, it also ildes all over and the rpms shoot up and down, and the water outlet housing cap blew off, it seems like its been eating the coolant fast too, what could this be?
Nov 8, 2011 at 1:08 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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does the fans come on with the a/c?Have you tested your coolant temp sensor?
Nov 8, 2011 at 1:11 AM
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JCMATTERS
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sounds like a plugged thermostat
Nov 8, 2011 at 1:12 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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That would make two problems they said there fans havent been running i would start with the fans inop and see if both upper and lower radiator hoses are getting really hot.
Nov 8, 2011 at 1:23 AM
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ZACH.EMBRY
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i figured it would be the thermostat
Nov 8, 2011 at 1:39 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Even with a bad thermostat your fans should still be on and working when it gets to the correct temp.Do you have a multimeter to do some trouble shooting?Also any codes in the computer?Also make sure that both radiator hoses arw getting really hot that will tell you if your coolant is circulating.
Nov 8, 2011 at 1:54 AM
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JCMATTERS
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as for the fans i would check the relay or the ect.
Nov 8, 2011 at 2:11 AM