Engine Overheated

Tiny
TRASHE143
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
While driving I noticed that my heater started to blow cold air when I took my foot off the gas. Later that night I noticed the temp gauge starting to climb to the hot zone. Then the car shut off. I opened the hood and saw a spray of coolant comming out from underneath the coolant resovior. It was dark so I could not pinpoint the leak. Today, I checked the hoses and could not find a leak. How can I pinpoint the leak?
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 AT 5:41 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
Best thing to do in your case is to fill it back up with antifreeze and start it up and wait for it to appear again, that is the best way to do it and the least time consuming.

This guide can help fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
PHILIP O'BRIEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
I can get the truck started but when I take my foot off the gas it stops. It has been very cold here latly and my temp gadge said I was over heating and the engin is ice cold. Don't know if the problems are related and I had to jump the truck to get it stated
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
When battery go down and or die the PCM will loose its memory
and will do not hold the idle
I would suggest checking and replacing the battery
clean idle air way and valve
start and then take for a spin around
so the PCM relearn the idle
good luck
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPINNERWORLD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
I had my truck overheat on me. It was 17 degrees out and blizzarding. When I popped the hood my upper radiator hose was flattened. I changed the thermostat and all seemed good but then the heat didnt work again. Whats ur verdict?
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the heater core if its clogged-up if not try bleeding the cooling system
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICK88
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
My water pump went out on my 2001 dodge pickup.I ran it very hot, replaced water pump, overheat, fan clutch and fan, overheat, took thermostat out, overheat!Help
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
You may have overheated to the point of head gasket/head failure. I would have the cooling system chemically tested for combustion gases in the coolant, which if there is would indicate head/ head gasket failure.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ONE MULE TEAM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE RAM
Engine Cooling problem
2000 Dodge Ram V8 Four Wheel Drive Manual

Recently my 2000 Dodge ram overheated for the first time. I turned on the heater and rolled down the windows and slowed. At first the heat blew cold-then hot and cold intermittently before blowing hot. The engine cooled. At home I checked the coolant level and it was low by approx. 1 gallon which I replaced. No visible leaks, no collant in the oil.

The vehicle did not overheat again for approximately two weeks. Today taking the kids to school the engine ran hot shortly after turning on the defrost and when I got home about a cup of coolant spewed out the radiator cap. The engine cooled and I had to go to work. It was running fine but I decided to see what would happen if I turned on the defrost. The engine promptly heated to the high upper end of the operating range and wouldn't come down until I got off the freeway where it promptly cooled. Also, the upper radiator hose was hot so fluid must be circulating. Ideas?
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
If you had to add 1 gallon of coolant, you definitely have a leak somewhere (external or internal), or your radiator cap is not holding the pressure.
Pressure test your cooling system. You can buy some dye; it should help you to detect the leak.
Make sure you check everywhere, from the hoses, water pump, intake gasket etc.
If you still can't see any external leak, you may have an internal one; do you have a lot of white smoke coming out of your exhaust?
Do a compression test on each cylinder. A low reading would indicate a leaky head gasket.
You may also have a cracked head or block.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ARTHUR STEPHENS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE RAM
  • 150,000 MILES
Overheats in five minutes. Tried new radiator. New hoses thermostat and water pump, still overheats.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Make sure that the thermostat is working, boil it up on the stove and make sure that it is opening, otherwise it may just have a bad air lock or you are looking at a deeper problem with the head.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)

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