2001 Dodge Neon car overheating but not sure why

PAVEL

MEMBER
2001 DODGE NEON
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
157,989 MILES

This car started overheating when I covered up a crack it had on the radiator, so I took the thermostat of, but it still would overheat, the catalytic converter heats up real bad, not sure if that's normal. I can tell when its overheating because when I try to give it gas its a little rough and I have to push a little harder on it. I think that the coolant isn't been circulating correctly, it might clogged up, took it to a mechanic he said everything looks normal, yes the fans turn on. Please help

3 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

A hot converter indicates its plugged or the car is running extremely lean, both will cause it to overheat. First have the exhaust backpressure tested to see if the cat is plugged, if it is you must start by replacing it.

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Saturday, May 31st, 2008 AT 8:13 PM

PAVEL

MEMBER
1 POST

Thanks, I had the check engine light tested to see what was causing the problem, and it said the oxygen sensor was defective, it said it was the downstream oxygen sensor, now could this be the cause of the catalytic running hot and my poor gas millage?

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Friday, June 6th, 2008 AT 11:44 PM

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

Yes. If it says rich all the time then the computer will try to compensate and run engine lean to correct the rich problem it thinks its having. If this makes sense

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Saturday, June 7th, 2008 AT 9:16 AM