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Engine over heating

Tiny
GA3RDGEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 2 WD, Automatic Transmission, 64k miles. I live in Alabama and it's been 90s and above so the truck has been running with the air conditioner on. It started over heating. I can turn on the heater and it still runs a little hot but not any where near as hot as before. I took it to the dealership and paid approx. $280 to have the cooling system flushed and backflushed and the thermostat replaced. No improvement although they say it didn't overheat for them when they let it idle and drove it 6 miles. They must not have driven it during the middle of the afternoon with the air conditioner on. Dealership said if what they did didn't fix it, the radiator would have to be replaced at cost of $500 - $600. Nothing on the paperwork indicates they checked the fan or really did any kind of diagnostics. There is a note that the cooling system was stopped up but flushing the radiator and engine block and replacing the thermostat didn't fix anything. Is the fan an electric fan or clutch fan. Shouldn't there be some way to check for faulty fan before replacing the radiator? What else could be wrong?
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Monday, June 18th, 2007 AT 12:43 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I have the same problem. Turning the heat on seems to bring the temp down, but kills me! I don't understand what the problem is but I sure wish I knew. Driving during 70 degree and below seems to be ok until I turn on the AC. Then the temp starts to come up. It is worse when I try to haul anything over 2000 lbs. It almost apears as if the temp gauge is faulty, but the circumstances prove different. This is a dilemna that is kiling me. I do not want to become a Guinea Pig, like most of our members, so if you know what the cause is please share.

Thank You,
Rick
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
GA3RDGEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Nothing so far. I thought the same thing about temp gauge or sensor since it hasn't gotten to the point of steam coming out but I haven't had a chance to take it back to the shop yet. I've been able to keep it down so far but I haven't had to drive it more than 20 miles yet either. I still think the fan isn't coming on like it should. I'll post whatever I find out. Thanks.

D
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Radiator was stopped up. Had it re-rodded and installed all for 175.00.

This guide helped me find it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Do not use anything but the manufacturers recommended antifreeze! ORANGE!
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
ARAMNATH1
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I noticed you have the same truck and problem I have, have you found a solution? I had a small leak in which I added a radiator sealer, same problem, then I flushed the system changed the thermostat serpentine belt, and the radiator cap, after that I put in a radiator cleaner and noticed a leak, so more radiator sealer, then flushed the system and now not even putting on the heater brings it down. My last resort is to replace the radiator. If you have resolved your problem please send me a resolution. Thanks
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Just have your radiator roded out by a reputable radiator repair center (about 100.00). And you should be good. The radiator is more than likely stopped up. The total cost of my repair was 175.00. Good Luck!
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
ARAMNATH1
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
What baffles me is besides the fact that the whole coolant system is upside down, such as the thermo on the bottom is how could a vehicle that is 3 years old have a clogged radiator? What causes it I had the original coolant and it didnt seem to be loaded up with crud I did however put some stop leak in I dont know if it made it worse but I cant understand how it gets clogged. Im gonna try that, thanks
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The "Stop Leak". So I am told!
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
ARAMNATH1
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for being honest and not looking for cash first help later person. Being a single dad of two, a tight economy and driving a gas sucker your input helped. Your input helped me a great deal, I hope I can return the favor
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Father of two myself and just glad I could help. I am not looking for favors just looking to further the education of all who are reading, the point of this forum. Many thanks to those who have started this thread and this forum. There are many useless dollars spent on experemental research that can easily be avoided by the true life experiances of others. Please excuse my spelling.
Keep on Trucking!
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
ROYCE101
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well about two weeks ago I started have the same problem, noticed that my temp gage was running about 3/4's on the hot side and it has alway ran in the middle, took it in and had rad. Flushed, thermostat changed and fan change, on the way home noticed that it was doing the samething, called them back and told them that nothing was fixed and taking it back to them this morning, are they missing something? Any help guys?
Thanks royce101
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
SEABISQUIT2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yea. Tell them to check to see if the surface of the radiator is hot during normal running temp. If it is not consistently hot on the entire surface of the radiator, this is a clear indication that the core of the radiator is clogged.

Goodluck
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
ROYCE101
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks seabisquit2,
thats what they told me also, they said that the orange coolant causes this problem and that one should flush the radiator more often, guess its back to the dealer!
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
ARAMNATH1
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Still having the same problem, and now the truck wont start! It will turn over, run rough and shut off? What do I look for now?
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
ROYCE101
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks seabisquit2,
thats what they told me also, they said that the orange coolant causes this problem and that one should flush the radiator more often, guess its back to the dealer![/Quote:588c74247f]

Well took my dodge back in and had a new radiator installed and that took care of the problem, just seems strange that a three year old truck must have a radiator changed in three year, thanks for the help.
Royce101
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Saturday, December 15th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
THRASHJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 55,000 MILES
2004 dodge ram with 3.7L, running hot. Changed thermostat, didn't help. Put on new water pump still running hot- goes to just over 3/4 way on gauge in about 1 mile. On idle will stay at about 1/2 on gauge (i'm assuming gauge is right). Heater blows hot so i'm assuming water is circulating ok, but hard to see it circulating when I look in radiator. Any ideas on what I could try next?
Thanks
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
I would borrow or buy a temperature sensing gun and check the temp of the engine with that to make sure its actually getting hot, not just a false reading on the gauge. Can probably get a shop to check engine temp for free or for very little. Then go from there.
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JCCRCC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I replaced the thermostat and its still over heating the temp. Comes down with the heat on?
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/engine_over_heats.htm
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KWE58116
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 94 MILES
I have a 2004 dodge ram w a hemi it keeps overheating ive replaced multiple thermostats the radiator and the cap. Itll overheat in the am I shut it off. Wait 5-10 min and start it up and itll be fine the rest of the day. Any ideas?
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Friday, June 12th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)

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