Engine Overheating?

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Have you done a pressure test of cooling system to find interal leaks that cause air pockets that result in overheat? Did you bleed system thoroughly after parts changes?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
To add to fixitmr, Did you check the Fan Clutch?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROYCE GRAVES III
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Changed the water pump and thermostat, truck seems to stay at a good temperature until I go down the road a few miles, then overheats still and antifreeze sprays out the overflow cap. There is a lot of pressure built up.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like a classic blown head gasket. Here are a couple of guides to help confirm the problem:

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

and

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

Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KLFUERST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,000 MILES
I have a 2000 dakota 4.7 that is over heating, both the clutched and electric fans are working properly, I am getting plenty of heat insde so I believe the thermostate is working properly, one thing I have noticed is the coolant does not seem to be flowing like it should, if I take off the cap on the upper hose and let the engine warm up with the heat on high, the coolant will only bubble in the hose. Should'nt it be flowwing fast. What would be the next step without replacing unnecessary parts(radiator, waterpump)?
Thank you
Kurt
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi klfuerst
Let's try some shade tree mechanics. Run truck capped off let it come up to operating temp. Feel top hose when thermo opens hose can be squeesed see what temp you have when this occurs if over200
replace thermo. If this is good shut off feel bottom hose hot? Then you have flow. Next feel radiator is it hot all over or is bottom cooler than top? If so you could have blockage in rad that is reducing cooling ability.
Let me know
Thanks for donation
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEYBA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,247 MILES
Truck overheated two days ago. Replaced upper radiator hose because it was broken. Still overheating. Replaced thermostat today. Still overheating. Engine was replace last March. Came with 58,000 miles. Replaced water pump then. Water pump doesn't seem to be leaking. Stumped on the issue.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, does it overheat even if you are driving at highway speed? Have you checked the fan clutch? Has the radiator been flushed? Does it only overheat in stop and go traffic?

Let me know. Here are a few links that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-clutch-fan-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-symptoms

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-removal

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEYBA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I'm going to flush the radiator in the morning.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

How did things work out? Did it help?

Joe
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEYBA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I flushed it out like at 3:00 pm mountain time. Put antifreeze. Took it for a ride. Started getting hot. Let it cool down added more antifreeze want for a small ride. Not overheating yet. Time will tell.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

When you refilled the system, did you bleed it? Once you fill the radiator, turn the heat on high and start the engine. Keep topping the radiator until it remains full. Gently pinch the upper hose to "burp" out any air. Since you had to add, there is a chance there was still air in the system, and that can block coolant flow.

Let me know how things work out.

Joe
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEYBA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
After I added coolant. Waited for like two hours. Went for a longer ride and truck didn't get hot just went to mid point and stayed there. Got home checked under hood no problems as of yet.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AELAKEGARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My truck was overheating the other day so I check the reservoir and there was plenty of fluid in it so I didn't check the rad cap. I got in it today and it is still overheating only after driving about.5 miles down the road. I came back home and let it cool, opened the rad cap and there isn't any fluid in the hose! Reservoir is still full. I have limited car maintenance experience so I don't really know what to check next. Would the water pump be causing this or could the thermostat be stuck? Any info would help. Also the heater just blows cold air

thanks
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Which hose is empty? Is the radiator clean and full? Does it overheat at highway speeds or only when in stop and go traffic?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

Great! Hopefully that took care of it.

Let me know if you need anything.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AELAKEGARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The hose with the radiator cap is empty. It overheats under normal driving (45mph). Yes the radiator is clean and full.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEYBA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks a lot!
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
I think you mean the small hose that goes to the overflow. If that is correct, I would recommend replacing the thermostat to see if that fixes it. IF the coolant is full and the radiator clean, that is the most likely cause.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
You are very welcome. Let us know if you need help with anything in the future.

Joe
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)

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