1998 Dodge Neon Loosing coolant and overheating

Tiny
SCOTTBANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE NEON
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
Bought the car used 6 months ago and no problems with it until Friday. Friday am going to work overheats. Pulled into a lube place and they told my girlfriend it was out of coolant. They filled it, and on her way, temperature fine. Didnt use it on the weekend, today, Wednesday, overheated, and I went and had to fill it up with coolant again. I got a full jug into it, between the rad cap and the reserve. Overfilled the reserve. Let it idle 10 minutes, went for a drive for 10 minutes, and then idled it for 10 minutes. No overheating, however the engine was smoking with burnt/evaporated antifreeze. The reserve was down to the max line. What do I need to replace? I've heard rad, hoses, thermostat, head gasket. All from various people with various knowledge.
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 AT 11:15 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

The first thing to do is have the cooling system pressure tested and get the cap tested as well this will locate any external leaks, then get a head check done as this will check for Co in the cooling system, a sure sigh that you have a head problem, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 AT 12:24 AM

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