Engine is overheating?

You might want to consider having a chemical test done to check for a leaking cylinder head gasket. That involves drawing air from the radiator through a glass cylinder with two chambers partially-filled with a special dark blue liquid. If combustion gases are present the liquid will turn bright yellow. Those gases can pool under the thermostat and prevent it from opening, depending on which engine you have. Thermostats only open in response to hot liquid, not hot air. But to be sure these guides will help us fix the problem

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

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.

i have a 2004 dodge durango hemi engine that was leaking coolant and overheating. the dealer fixed the leaking but cant figure out why its overheating. they checked the coolant system and thermometer and all was well. do you have any suggestions

I have an 04 Durango. I had a problem with overheating also but no leaking. I installed a new thermostat but it did not solve problem. Had to have a new radiator installed....apparently a malfunctioning or blocked raadiator core. That fixed the problem.

Hello, the problem I have with my truck is that every time I turn the a/c on, truck begins to heat up. I have changed my radiator about a year ago, just recently changed thermostat, fan clutch, waterpump, antifreeze coolant, and the coolant sensor. The only thing for me to do is a radiator flush, but don't see a reason to do it cause you can say the radiator is still semi -new. Both hoses are in good condition and are not leaking. Would like to know if I should still take it to get a complete radiator flush, if it would solve the problem. Please help, I'm at a loss and would like to use my truck before winter comes. Thankyou for taking the time to help.

Has the engne actually overheated? I question if the temp sending unit is bad. Also, does it only overheat when in traffic or will it at highway speed too?

I agree with you. The radiator should be fine. You may consider having the engine block flushed, but I honestly question if that will help. Also, does the engine run good otherwise? I wonder if there is a head gasket problem.

[quote:69f0ec2d6d="closwin"]Engine Performance problem
2004 Dodge Durango V8 All Wheel Drive Automatic 82000 miles

Hello, the problem I have with my truck is that every time I turn the a/c on, truck begins to heat up. I have changed my radiator about a year ago, just recently changed thermostat, fan clutch, waterpump, antifreeze coolant, and the coolant sensor. The only thing for me to do is a radiator flush, but don't see a reason to do it cause you can say the radiator is still semi -new. Both hoses are in good condition and are not leaking. Would like to know if I should still take it to get a complete radiator flush, if it would solve the problem. Please help, I'm at a loss and would like to use my truck before winter comes. Thankyou for taking the time to help.[/quote:69f0ec2d6d]The truck temp. guage needle only has about an 1/8 to 1/4 before it hits the H on it, in traffic or freeway. How would i know if head gasket is bad? The truck runs good.

I agree with you. Chances are the radiator isn't the problem, so a flush would most likely be a waste of money.

As far as the head gasket question, you would need to do a compression test. Then you could check to see if there is a cylender with low compression.

If this only happens with the ac on and you have done everything you described, I question if there is a problem at all other than a faulty coolant temp sensor or some short that is causing the gauge to raise. Another thing you could try (to make sure the gauge is accurate) is to rent a radiator thermometer. With the engine cold, open the radiator cap, put in the thermometer, start the engine with the AC on and see what temp the coolant in the radiator gets. It should stay around 200 degrees F.

Here is a how to for checking compression if you need it:

https://www.2carpros.com/dia/how_to_check_compression.htm

Something tells me with everything you have done, something is causing the gauge to misread.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

i just had the engine rebuilt. 2 days after getting car back it is still over heating. what else cold be wrong

what all has been replaced? could be many things causing overheating from faulty radiator to clogged heater core, bad thermostat etc..

thermostat,thermostat housing,rebuilt engine consisti ng of replacing rings ,rods,and main bearings,cylinder head reconditioning,ALL gaskets,engine tune up and not sure what ps and ac add is

looks like still waterpump,heater core and radiator not yet checked. suggest flushing system including heater core and inspecting waterpump. also ensure radiator fan(s) are coming on properly

keeps overheating but the overflow is full.its like no water is circulating threw the radiator.

Hi:
Is the coolant boiling? Are you sure the gauge is correct? Have you ever had the cooling system flushed? Replaced the thermostat?

Joe

i have replaced the thermostat,cluth fan and flushed the radiator system and it continues to overheat when at a stop light or just an idle if i put it in nutral and give a little gas it cools back donw

seems like there may be weak pressure in cooling system, this could be due to a clog in the system ( dirty heater core etc..) or even a failing water pump

I had put coolant into the radiator but for did not close cap tightly needless to say it overheated to the point that it cut off after letting it cool I refilled the radiator and oput the cap on tight. I then resatarted the car it did not over heat but it is running real rough and jittery I then replaced the spark plugs thinking some may have gotten fried although it is running a little better it is still running rough almost like its an exhaust problem. I checked the oil and anti freeze to be sure there was no oil or coolant mixture so I don't think its the headgasket coule you give me some ideas

I think it is the head gasket. but first lets check the wires, if this is a distributor, then check under the cap, also check the map sensor, check anywhere that the coolant may have sprayed, also check vacuum hoses going to the intake manifold.

These guides can help us fix it.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please run down these guides and report back.

took it to the shop and they checked the compression on the cylinders and it was fine but they noticed that the vacuum was low but they say that its directly related to the car overheating new engine time

My 02 Durango has recently been over heating. I have changed the pressure cap and the thermostate. The truck only overheats at low speeds (40 mph or less) it is fine on the highway. The reservior keeps filling up. It will not pull the coolant back into the radiator. When I let it warm up with the pressure cap off, I do not see the coolant moving unless I reve up the engine. I am suspecting that the impellar is worn or slipping in the water pump. Don't want to change to pump on just a guess. Looking for help.

The coolant will pull back in the radiator when the engine cools down but this will not happen if there is a small coolant leak somewhere. As far as the overheating problem, first look at the for a partially plugged radiator and then the water pump.

Hope this helps,
Bob

The car dies if I do not keep my foot on the gas. As soon as I take my foot off the gas, the car dies. It did thes about 8 times this morning. Also, yesterday, I let the car idle for a while and it heated up so much that the 'check gauges' light came on. Any suggeestions would be greatly appreciated!

If the check gauges light comes on, it usually indicates low oil pressure, battery charge, temp... Did any of those items seem bad? Also, did the check engine light come on? It sounds like a bad idle control valve, EGR, or throttle position sensor, but I can't be sure without a code from the computer.

Let me know.

I replaced the thermostat and the radiator cap. it loses power after it gets up to temp. as long as im going down the road it is fine. when I come to a stop at a red light then start again it doesn't want to go. any ideas
thanks jason

scan for codes and check fuel pressure first autoparts rent gauge

thanks ill try that

My car has been running a little hot this week, everythime its because there is no water in it when i check, so I was told my bottom hose was leaking. I was waiting for pay day to replace, but decided since it doesnt usually have any issues for a few days after refilling, I thought it would be fine to take the kids to see the 4th of july fireworks. On the way, the car shot up to the line before the red area of hot, I went to pull over, & the car stalled out. Now my oil looks like caramel, & my engine wont start. It did turn over for a minute, but it drags, & the whole thing shakes. Im hoping the water pump is siezed & that would prohibit that car from starting. Please tell me the only method of transportation I have that I am still making payments on is not ruinned!!!! What could these symptoms mean? My engine isnt siezed is it. Now when I try to turn it over, it just sounds like the starter is dragging.

If sounds like you have blown a head gasket. Coolant can mix with the engine oil when that happens causing that to happen to the oil. Have that checked and let me know what you find.

Joe

My truck runs great, but it started to rain and my windows started to fog up. So I turned on my defogger and my truck started to heat up after about five minutes of running the defogger going up a hill. Pulled over, turned off the defogger and let it cool down. I started the truck and started driving it for over thirty minutes, even sat in my driveway for another ten minutes and it did not heat up. Why would me turning the defogger on cause my vehicle to heat up? As long as the defogger is not on, it runs fine.

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

The defroster in your vehicle is designed to remove moisture from the windshield. To do it, the system engages the air conditioning to help dehumidify the air coming into the vehicle. When the AC compressor is running, there should be a cooling fan which turns on to help cool the engine due to the added load.

What I need you to do is simply turn on the defroster or air conditioning and see if the cooling fan comes on. If it does not, the engine can tend to run hotter than normal.

Here is a link which discusses the cooling fan and how it works:

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

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Engine Cooling problem
2001 Dodge Durango V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic
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First the check gauges light came on. Then the tep gauge was high so, I pulled over. The water and antifreeze was coming out of a plastic piece that connected two hoses and wires on the other end. The hose comes out of the radiator and leads to the heater. What is this piece?


Tracy


Thank You

the plastic piece is just a splitter so several hoses junction at the same place to save room and materials. these you cant buy seperate and will have to purchase the new heater hose. make sure there are no other problems that may have caused that to happen such as a restriction.

[quote:3cd07f373d="trp794"]Engine Cooling problem
2001 Dodge Durango V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic
----------------------------------------------------------------
First the check gauges light came on. Then the tep gauge was high so, I pulled over. The water and antifreeze was coming out of a plastic piece that connected two hoses and wires on the other end. The hose comes out of the radiator and leads to the heater. What is this piece?


Tracy


Thank You[/quote:3cd07f373d]

Air Conditioning problem
2001 Dodge Durango V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 114.00 miles

only over heats with a/c on no leaks started after top raidator hose was changed

Hi wayne brandon. Welcome to the forum. Look in front of the fan blade for a second, electric fan on the back of the radiator. If you have one, it only runs with the AC turned on. Check that it is running.

caradiodoc

ask ;the dude to fill all fluids after inspecting it. Oil pressure gauge showed on H side but not in danger, drove good until overheating. limped 3 miles to station where I was able to let it cool fully, add water and 1qt oil, no presents of water in oil, or milky color. Tried to start it, needed ;a jump, and it started but engine runs ruff and can't maintain regular idle.

because it overheated it may have damaged some items. check vacuum lines for cracks/holes etc. clean throttle plate on both sides with choke cleaner. then make sure all fluids are full like coolant with a 50/50 mix, oil everything. if it continues have the coolant system pressure checked for leaks, as it may have blown a head gasket

how much would it cost to fix blown head gaskets and would i need to buy a new engine? i have fixed all of the losyt cost repairs that can make your car overheat and its still overheating, please help me!

@$1700.00 go to a parts store ask for a block tester follow instructions this will tell if carbon dioxide is in coolant. If not then gaskets are good. Does engine overheat on short trips? O.K. on highway?

My radiator cap is smoking and coolant begins to leak from the hoses. The temperature gauge starts to rise after this happens after the cars running for about 5 minutes. I replaced the hoses, radiator cap, and even the thermostat, but to no avail.
Is there no water circulating? If so, could this be a water pump problem? Thank you.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but it sounds like you have a headgasket out or a cracked head. With radiator full. if you run the cold motor for a few minuets, do you get excessive pressure at the radiator cap? If so, you have a head problem. Do you get any white smoke out the tailpipe? Please advise.

Yes, smoke increases out of the tailpipe. Pressure does indeed increase at the radiator cap.
I put anti-freeze in the night before. The next morning I discovered the smoke radiating from the cap and antifreeze was everywhere. I come to find the radiator hose hanging off.
That led me to replace the hoses and thermostat, but the problem is persisting and I am trying to sell.