2006 Dodge Charger Car Overheated in a split second

NDCOTTON

MEMBER
2006 DODGE CHARGER

Engine Cooling problem
2006 Dodge Charger 6 cyl Automatic 126000 miles

I was driving all day. I stopped at the store and was out of the car for about 30 mins. When I got back in I started to drive down the street, not on the freeway. I got about 4 blocks and the AC got very hot, the temp in the car went as far over as it could go. I turned the car into the first gas station. I let it cool down. I went to start it and it took 3 tries before it it turned over. I then moved it near the water hose and soaked the engine. After about 20 mins. I drove to my house which is about 3 miles away. I left the AC off, but right before I got to the house it started to get warm again. It got about an eighth past the half way mark. Which is unsual for my car. I know that a hose did not break beacuse there was no water on the ground. But the water in the reservoir was boiling and trying to spit out.
Any help or suggestions would be very much appreicated.

1 Reply

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

There's several possible causes. First check that your fans are turning on. If not, check the relays.

Next, see if your radiator/surge tank cap is functioning properly. When your engine is at operating temp, there should be pressure built in the system. If not, the cap is faulty.

Next, check the thermostat by feeling the upper and lower radiator hoses while engine is at op temp. If one hose is hot and the other is not, the thermostat is stuck closed.

Next, squeeze the upper radiator hose while someone revs the motor. If you feel the pressure building up, the water pump is fine. If not, the pump is bad. Also, check that your belt is good and tight.

Finally, remove the surge tank cap, and while someone revs the motor, look at the coolant. If you see large bubbles, the head gasket is blown. A lot of times, if the engines overheat even once, the gasket will blow.