2003 Dodge Dakota cooling system pressure-up

TIZZ101

MEMBER
2003 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
112,000 MILES

Hi-just noticed the other day alittle coolant under the front of my truck and under investigation found it to be leaking past the hose clamp on the upper hose where it attaches to the rad. The leak is due to excessive pressure because the clamp/hose are good and tight. What the heck? I think it may be the thermostat not opening? The truck is not overheating which confuses me. Also-I noticed the coolant was down (way down) so I topped it up thinking press. Was from lack of coolant. Turns out it's not-even with full coolant still pressures up. Help! I don't own a credit card :(

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 AT 7:03 PM

3 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,386 POSTS

The clamp could be bad. Take that clamp off and put on a new hose clamp the kind with the slots cut in it with a worm gear for tightening it. Use that to tighten it. Those factory kinds dont work at all. Also make sure the clamp is past the rib on the line. That is important to stop coolant flow.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 AT 8:45 PM

TIZZ101

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The clamp is not the issue-like I said the leak is only there do to excessive press-I noticed alittle leak under the water pump-if the pump was'nt working right would that cause the excessive pressure?

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Friday, April 24th, 2009 AT 8:44 AM

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,386 POSTS

If the pump was bad there wouldnt be much pressure at all.

The only thing thats going to cause high pressure is a leak in the headgasket. A cracked head. Or a crackec block on the cylinderwall. Or water not antifreeze in the cooling system.

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Thursday, April 30th, 2009 AT 8:19 PM