Car running hot

Tiny
KHARI
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CHARGER
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I replaced thermostat and a coolant bleeder and let the car idle for about 20 minutes no problem. Then I drive around the block and the temperature gauge goes up and steam comes out. Is that the water pump?
Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 AT 2:46 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Was this issue happening before you made this repair or did this just start after you did this?

It sounds like you have air in the system. When you have an air pocket it normally doesn't overheat until you start driving.

However, if this has been doing this from the beginning and the repair made no change then we need to check what the temperature is of the upper and lower hose when the vehicle is starting to overheat. Clearly you need to stop and check it when the temperature starts to rise and not when the coolant and steam are coming out.

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

Use a laser thermometer to do this as it is quick and accurate.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

Let us know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
KHARI
  • MEMBER
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Yeah it started with a busted top hose and a cracked coolant bleeder.
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The water pump is most not the cause of this or it would overheat just idling as well. If it was not overheating before but you had the hose and bleeder issue but it overheats now, I suspect you have air in the system. However, we need to check the thermostat as well just to make sure it is opening properly. Basically remove it and put it in boiling water to see if it opens fully. If not then we need to replace it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

Let us know what you find with this. Thanks
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Thursday, June 25th, 2020 AT 8:26 PM

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