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Bubbling in reservoir tank?

Tiny
YOUNG348
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 DODGE JOURNEY
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156 MILES
Hi again, we have replaced the TIPM and that solved all the electrical problems we had been experiencing but we still have the original problem of car overheating and bubbling in the water reservoir. We replaced the thermostat, temperature control sensor and did the compression test and passed that. What do you think it could be? Thank you
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Thursday, December 1st, 2022 AT 3:14 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,262 POSTS
Hi,

If it is overheating, it could be a few different things. First, does the coolant bubble when the engine has not overheated? Don't laugh, but does the heater provide heat?

A head gasket can allow compressed air to enter the cooling system. As a result, you have bubbling in the system, overheating, and air can create an air pocket restricting coolant flow.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if you feel anything mirrors what you have seen:

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

Next, does the overheating happen when you are at highway speeds or is it limited to in-town driving?

If you have the compression readings that were found, let me know what they are. Also, are there any odd odors, smoke from the exhaust or strange sounds coming from the exhaust? A plugged catalytic converter can cause overheating as well.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, December 1st, 2022 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
YOUNG348
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Hi Jacob, yes it bubbles when it doesn't overheat. The heater doesn't blow hot air either. We did the compression liquid test and that came back fine and didn't change color. It usually happens when driving at highway speeds as well. There is no odor or strange noises coming from the exhaust either. Thank you for your time.
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Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,262 POSTS
Hi,

If the heater doesn't produce heat, I feel you have air in the system.

I need you to do a couple of checks for me. First, has the radiator cap been checked to see if it is good? Believe it or not, if it doesn't hold pressure, it lowers the boiling point of the coolant.

See pic 1. Number 2 is the bleed valve. Follow the directions in pics 2 and 3 to make sure you have all air from the system.

Next, turn the heater on high. Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature. Turn the engine off. Feel both heater core hoses to see if they are both hot. This will tell me if there is an issue with circulation, the heater core itself, or if there is an actuator issue inside the vehicle.

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

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
YOUNG348
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  • 21 POSTS
Hi again, we have just tried the above suggestion. We kept pouring coolant in the water reservoir, but it became full of coolant so could not add more and did not get to the point where it was overflowing in a constant stream. And now the coolant seems to be just sitting there as well and not going anywhere.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,262 POSTS
Hi,

If air continued coming from the bleeder, I feel this was the problem. Close the bleeder and start the engine to see if we now have heat. Also, if the reservoir is over full, try to remove some to get it to the full mark. Don't laugh, but I use a turkey baster. LOL

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 12:17 AM
Tiny
YOUNG348
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  • 21 POSTS
I forgot to mention that we took the bleeder screw completely out and only then did we see the constant flow but as soon as we put the screw in again it stopped. Thanks for your time.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 12:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Did bleeding the system seem to help? I'm interested in knowing.

Joe
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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 9:35 PM
Tiny
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I will let you know as soon as I test it as now the battery has decided to go completely flat, lol.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

No problem whatsoever. It sounds like you have the same type of luck as me. LOL

If you have a chance, let me know what you find. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, December 5th, 2022 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
YOUNG348
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Hi Joe, the heater did warm up a bit and we took it for a test drive and unfortunately started to overheat on the highway once again. Had to park up and let it cool down and then refill the coolant once again.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 AT 1:23 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

If you see no leaks, try bleeding it again. Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
YOUNG348
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  • 21 POSTS
Hi Joe, we ended up taking it in to get the radiator cleaned as well. Just picked it up and driving on Freeman home it ended up doing the exact same thing with overheating and bubbling again.
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Thursday, December 8th, 2022 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

That isn't good. I have a feeling you have a faulty head gasket. I remember you said the compression was tested. By any chance, do you still have the readings you got?

Joe
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Friday, December 9th, 2022 AT 8:50 PM

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