2001 Dodge Intrepid Need help troubleshooting

SDINEEN

MEMBER
2001 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
175,000 MILES

Car is overheating on occasion. Stopped at lights, or left running in the driveway for a minute or two results in VERY near overheating condition.

1. Happens intermittently, although once 45-60 mins on average. Especially now in summer with AC running.
2. Condition is resolved (temporarily) by switching on heat, rolling down windows, and waiting 3 minutes, then car is fine again!
3. Car does not appear to be leaking antifreeze.
4. Overflow still has fluid (although I've added more, with troubles continuing).
5. Did notice that the car had a problem heating the vehicle end of winter. Assume this is related?
6. DON'T see milky crank case cap signs of leaking gaskets, etc.

Will shortly replace fluid/flush and thermostat just as quick attempt, but don't want to be completely wasting my time.

Any help would be super appreciated.

5 Replies

RICHZOMBIE

MECHANIC
173 POSTS

It could be a small number of things. Try checking the heater core. Just make sure there is no fluid leaked into the floor board of the vehicle under the dash. Also, check your fan when it is overheating. The fan could have a bad relay.

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Friday, October 19th, 2018 AT 11:15 AM

SDINEEN

MEMBER
23 POSTS

Forgive my ignorance here but how exactly do I check the heater core. Locate it, look for leaks?

Also, on the fan, just catch if it's not kicking on at the times it's overheating?

And would you suggest a flush, thermostat as a first/quick hit (assuming 1. Above is fine, and 2, is going to be harder to pin point, happening once every hour)

THANK YOU!

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Friday, October 19th, 2018 AT 11:15 AM

RICHZOMBIE

MECHANIC
173 POSTS

The easiest two ways to check the heater core is the feel the carpet under the dash board from the middle over to the passenger door. If it is wet it's probably the heater core busted. Also, you can check under the car in the same area on the firewall for fluid falling to the ground. The fan should be running fine when it is supposed to. If the fan isn't running when the engine is overheating then it isn't working properly. If these are not the problems, I don't know about a flush, but I would have a radiator shop check it out.

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Friday, October 19th, 2018 AT 11:15 AM

SDINEEN

MEMBER
23 POSTS

Haven't been able to overheat it yet at lunch, but in last 20 minutes running in the parking lot (after making sure it had ample fluid) I see:
1. Both radiator fans spin up and down as needed
2. NO moisture in the car, along floor boards that points to a heater core leak.
3. No leaking outside the car, period.

I'll keep trying to overheat it later after work.

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Friday, October 19th, 2018 AT 11:15 AM

SDINEEN

MEMBER
23 POSTS

I didn't notice this was leaking until I caught it in action. Pic attached. Can anyone help me with what exactly this is? Looks at first blush like it might be somewhat easy to replace, feedng back in to the engine block from the radiator, with a little vent on top. Is there a quick fix/gasket?