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Engine overheating?

Tiny
HUFFY
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,500 MILES
I just purchased this van. "Problem" when I run the engine at idle, everything's fine until I shut it off, then the radiator blows off in to the overflow tank.
But the temperature never goes over half way on the gauge?
If I let it idle it's okay but the fan never comes on.
Idling with the A/C on the fan cycles normal and no blow off at shut down?
now when it's blowing off filling the overflow tank and I restart it, it immediately starts to draw the coolant back into the radiator?
Now do you think that it could be do to the fact that the cooling fan is not coming on? Maybe cooling fan relay? Temperature sensor? Or something else, all together? And also what about the temperature gauge never going over half way?
I would love any help you can offer. Thanks so much!
Dan
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 3:41 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

You have all indications of a bad radiator cap. there are two valves inside the cap. Check out this guide to help confirm the issue

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

I would replace it and retest it again.

Roy
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 4:10 PM
Tiny
HUFFY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks Roy,
That sounds like an easy fix, I'll try that tomorrow, stores are all close now.
Thanks again,
Dan
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
HUFFY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hi Roy,
Just wanted to check in one last time and let you know your theory was correct, I installed a new cap & did a check, And it's all good! Also your service is a great to all of us! Please keep it up! Thanks again
Dan
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome Dan.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
KENNETH 123
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
It overheated one I put water in it and have not been able to get it to do it again what do I do about it? All I did was the radiator cap and put water in it.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you replaced cap it may have been that, but keep an eye on it and if goes down again lets check out these guides to help us understand how to fix it and whats going on.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SO LOST
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 200,056 MILES
My temperature gauge is always under the half way mark but comes very close to half! I change my thermostat four times, also the hoses also changed, the relay that lays on the bumper. My cooling fans do not come on when I turn on my A/C. So I checked the blades they move fine. I also did a wire to the battery and only one fan came on. I have two fans. My belt is fine, my water pump is good. I lose antifreeze only when the engine is hot, but again it doesn't overheat. Any advice will help.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Your engine cooling fans not coming on could be a problem with Ground #102, which is near the left headlight. Please check this ground and make sure that it is clean, tight, corrosion free, and making good metal to metal contact. I have included a wiring diagram for your vehicle's engine cooling fans as well as a diagram for where Ground #102 is located at on your car. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SO LOST
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi im sorry I didnt mention f
The fan on the drivers aide doesn't come on with a strait wire the passenger fan does come on! I also got bump into on the driver side bumper thats when I had troubles with my engine heating up would the ground wire 1o2 also be for the drivers fan? Sorry im just learning this stuff single mom and cant afford to keep bying parts that aint broke thank you for the advice
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Ground #102 is a bolt that will have ground wires with ring connectors(called this because they are round and ring shaped)bolted to the body. This ground location is curiously on the drivers side front by the headlight. Very easy to inspect. A wire brush and a very little elbow grease should get the job done.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN M
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
Our van just started overheating this week where do you recommend I start trouble shooting. The fan or is there a sensor in line that I will need to look at, if so where is it? Since there are two fans which one goes out first usually?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Coolant Level.

Since there are 2 fans one should come on when you turn the A/C on.

I would start the vehicle let it run till Normal Opperating Temp. Keep eye on temp and watch to see if the fan or fans come on. If not there is a fan relay under the vehicle on the drivers side on the inside frame rail.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALVYNESS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.3L
  • AUTOMATIC
I just replaced my radiator an took out my thermostat my car keeps over heating an I have to drive with out the cap so wont over heat there is no water in the oil im not sure if there is a clog or what any one got a clue
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,139 POSTS
I have some questions. First, does the engine overheat at any speed or is it only in town driving? Next, did you remove the thermostat or replace it? Are the cooling fans turning on when it gets hot? Have you had the radiator cap tested to make sure it isn't weak? Finally, have you checked to make sure neither the upper nor lower radiator hose is squeezing shut when it is overheating?

One last thought. With the engine cold, if you remove the radiator cap and start the engine, does coolant shoot out?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALVYNESS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Its not overheating right now cause I'm driving with out the car on the radiator but when I was driving with the cap on it would over heat with in few minis. I removed the thermostat cause everyone say in Florida I don't need one. The fans are turning on. I replaced the one I had its a brand new 16lb cap. No the hoses are actually expanding cause of the pressure. An I use water not coolant but wen I cold start it still bubbles the water.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,139 POSTS
First, you should have the thermostat in the vehicle. Not having one can actually allow the coolant to circulate too fast and never have a chance to cool down in the radiator. Thus, causing overheating. Second, water boils at 212 degrees F. The engine runs around that temp during hot days. Antifreeze has a much higher boiling point and prevents rust and corrosion in the engine and lubricates the water pump. Now my real concern. The "water" shouldn't be bubbling when you first start the engine (cold). There is a chance that a head gasket is leaking compression into the cooling system.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANIKAN123
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
After 5 -10 minutes of running the starts to smoke white vapor from the drivers side.

Close to the radiator.

Only from the side.

An the car starts blinking that its to hot. It goes from medium heat to hot, in a seonds once it gets hot.

Please let me know is ou would like me to upload a video of the car condion to you tube and send links.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
You have a severe coolant leak, the cooling system will need to be inspected/pressurized to determine the root cause. Continueing to it can cause severe engine damage. Get it towed to the nearest shop and have it diagnosed. It could be anything from the radiator tank to a blown hose.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANIKAN123
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you, how does this work.

I would like your help, how much is it for questions etc.

This is how it smokes, I could not see any major leaks anywhere visible with my eyes. Or under the hood.

Link to problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap1eybVaYy4
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 6:55 PM (Merged)

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