2001 Dodge Dakota

GREG GAYNOR

MEMBER
2001 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
MANUAL
175,602 MILES

When the outside temperature gets above 50 the engine starts to overheat.I changed the thermostat and flushed the radiator. The pump seams fine because when I turn on the heater to help cool the engine, I get plenty of heat. It started the spring after I hit a deer and took out the airconditioning. What did I miss?

2 Replies

CEMENT HEAD

MEMBER
38 POSTS

Is the coolant level at proper height both in radiator or overflow tank? If so check your radiator cap it may not be holding pressure or drive belt could be faulty or not adjusted properly, Also radiator core could be cloged or radiator grille dirty and restricted

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Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 AT 10:00 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,864 POSTS

Also, check for crumbling fins between the cooling tubes. When this happened on my '88 Grand Caravan, it would run warm at anything over 60 degrees outside and 60 miles per hour. Normally, cooling gets better at highway speeds due to increased air flow, but air flow is irrelevant when the fins are gone. The extra heat generated at higher speeds can't dissipate to the air fast enough so the temperature goes up.

In my case, running the front and rear heaters brought the temperature down very quickly. The next year, it ran warm while cruising across Nebraska at night and 30 degrees outside. New radiator solved it. For the last six years, I dragged an enclosed trailer that's bigger than my van to an old car show swap meet. Can barely hit 65 miles per hour due to excessive wind resistance, but the temperature stays right where it should be.

Caradiodoc

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Saturday, August 8th, 2009 AT 1:12 AM