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Overheating

Tiny
JHOLMBERG
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
I have the Ram 1500 4.7L V8. My engine temp is fine, but when at a light or stopped in traffic for any amount of time, the temperature starts creeping up. If I put the truck in neutral and rev the engine, the tempo will start coming back down. I replaced the thermostat as well as flushed the radiator but the problem continues. I am fairly certain it is not a head gasket issue because I changed the oil and I saw no signs of coolant in the oil. Do you have any idea what the problem could be?
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Sunday, February 21st, 2010 AT 3:19 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like classic fan clutch problem. Here are is a guide and a video to help us fix the problem.

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

and

https://youtu.be/N_-MLVlBHk8

Please let us know what happens
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Saturday, February 27th, 2010 AT 12:03 AM
Tiny
TURBOJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for this post I got a new fan clutch for $121.00 and watched the video. I love this site.
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
ALEX KAKALETRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey guys quick question, I have an 05 5.7 ram, my truck would heat up at idle and drop while moving, but now my truck heats up and cools down on it's own regardless if I'm moving or idle, could it just be the fan clutch or should I replace my pump/radiator
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,345 POSTS
It sounds like the coolant level is down can you please let the engine cool down and check it please this guide can help as well.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
GUNNER_82
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48,000 MILES
Why would truck just start overheating
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check coolant level
add if needed

check coolant fan operation

check and replace the thermostat
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONA08
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 66,000 MILES
We have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 pickup, it is overheating. We changed the antifreeze and it is still overheating, what could be causing this?
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Thermostat, water pump, fan, belt.

Check thermostat and fan
are you losing coolant
do a coolant pressure test check for leak
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ED ZEVE;Y
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
My dodge 2005 1500 pickup with the hemi v8 overheats when ideling. If I fast idel at high rpm the heat goes down to normal. Also if I am moving down the road the heat is normal. But as soon as I stop within a few minutes the temp starts to rise.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
If it only happens at an idle, it sounds like the fan clutch is bad. It engages the fan causing it to spin faster based on under hood temps.

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

Joe
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MDBROWN6208
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
Engine overheats on uphill grades. Changed thermostat and purged radiator and engine. Normal temp on flat roads.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
If it only happens on up hill grades, are you sure the radiator was clean enough when you flushed it? Did any of the tubes inside looked plugged?

Also, do you hear any pinging from the valves under a load and is the fan clutch working properly?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MDBROWN6208
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
That is one of my concerns, even when the temp hand is reading hot or in the red, the radiator is cool enough to touch, even after it was plugged. I don't hear any pinging. I haven't checked the fan clutch.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
What I suggest is to replace the temperature sending unit. Based on your description, it doesn't sound like it is actually overheating. You may just have a bad sensor.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MDBROWN6208
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I noticed when I hauled over 4,000 gross weight. It put more strain on the motor and when I checked the radiator it felt warmer then before. The coolant is low but I don't believe it is leaking. I haven't added any more. What I think is the radiator is still clogged and not letting the coolant circulate through the radiator. Let me know what you think.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRADAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
I just got the truck from my Dad, and he was having a problem recently of which when the truck ran over like 65 MPH, the engine would slowly overheat but the backup electric fan would come on. When this was the case, I would just have to pull over and even with the truck idling it would cool down. Now, we replaced the fan clutch and the truck was running better for 2-3 weeks until now. Now, when I am in park or sitting still with truck running, it begins to heat up. It is idling at 500-600 RPM's. I have pressed gas when in park as lightly as I can and the engine starts to cool down. I also want to point out that the thermostat was taken out but I have it and a new one to put in. Also, that I have not been brave enough to wait until the electric fan kicks on. It works when I have the AC on but I think it is supposed to come on when I am idling. Sorry that I do not have a specific question, but I hope you can help! PLEASE!
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
If it is low, you should fill it. However, it could be that the radiator is still plugged. If there is a radiator shop near you, have them "rod it out".

Let me know if that helps.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The first thing you need to do is immediately put the thermostat back in. It needs to have one for a number of reasons and will cause major fuel mixture issues without it.

Once it is back in and all air bled from the system, you need to determine if the system is losing any coolant before overheating. If it is not, then you likely have a bad radiator. If it is, then you need to further investigate as to where it is going.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRADAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
I have been having problems with my 2005 dodge ram 4.7L 2wd overheating. When I am moving, the temp is fine, but when idling it slowly overheats. I noticed two things. One, there is a tiny tiny leak where the thermostat housing meets the engine block, two the electric fan is not kicking on as a backup fan. It is my understanding the the electric fan serves two purposes, one to turn on when AC is on (which it does every time) and two, to backup when engine is getting hot (which it is NOT doing). What is causing this overheating or did I just answer my own question? Something needs to tell the fan to turn on.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the thermostat, engine coolant temperature sensor and fan relay-
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)

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