Engine overheating problem?

Tiny
LIKEMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150 MILES
I have a 1999 dodge stratus and I have replaced the water pump and the thermostat and put a new radiator cap on I still have the problem with it overheating after just driving a couple miles can you help

Thanks
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 11:06 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Are the radiator fan(s) coming on properly? also feel the radiator hoses to ensure you can feel pressure going through system. Please check out this guide

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 11:24 PM
Tiny
LIKEMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Yes I have checked the fans they are coming on properly and there is pressure running through the hoses I also checked to see if there was leaking from the heater core it all checked out alright
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Only thing left is the radiator itself then or air in the system, try purging all air out of the cooling system.
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
LIKEMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Thanks for the advise I believe the radiator is the problem, Now I have another problem as I was checking all these thing I noticed the car was running ruff and the engine light came on, I checked the code and it was #3 cylinder miss firing so I checked the compression on the cylinder and I have 60 pounds of pressure can you tell me is this rings or valves im assuming that the reason is that it got hot.

Thanks
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Most likely cracked cylinder head gasket or cracked head itself from overheating
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
KAHNE126FAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
I was on my way to school this morning and all of the sudden a dash light came on and the temprature gauge rocketed to the top. After I pulled over and turned the car off. Let it cool. It was fine. Looked under the hood and no smoke or smell. What could be the cause for this?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Could be a sticky thermostat. Start with a cooling systemn service and a new t-stat. Did it overheat while moving or sittin gstill? Be sure the cooling fans work
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAHNE126FAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I was coming to a stop light and slowing down.I remember now that it did get a little warm in the car and the windows did fog up? I was gonna have the coolant flushed but the dealer told me that it wasnt neccissary. Do I need to have that done?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Have the system pressure tested, if the windows fogged up it may have blown the heater core. Is the floor wet on Pass side?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
UNKNOWN18
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,412 MILES
I replaced the Thermostats and upper radiator hose but did not do a flush. The car temperature raises above half after a while with the ac on. My questions are, where is the drain plug for the radiator? And what could be the problem of it overheating
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi unknown18,

After the repairs carried out, you need to bleed the cooling system. Since you have already run the vehicle, remove the radiator cap when engine is cold. Top up coolant and run engine with radiator cap off. Top up coolant if required and when coolant level stabilises, close the radiator and retest.

The radiator drain plug is on either the left or right inner side of lower radiator housing.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 17,000 MILES
Car overheat when AC is ON after being in traffic for about 20mins, I do hear the water in the reservoir boiling seriously. The two fan blows ok, but doesn`t overheat when on when there is no traffic and AC is ON. Please what do I need to do?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
Please what is likely to happen to a car if water comes out from the radiator cover when the car is on the road?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Possible faulty thermostst or reduced cooling capacity of radiator
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
Thanks how can l check d cooling of the radiator? Thou am using the car in nigeria but due to the hot weather in nigeria which has really caused overheating and damaged the car engine the thermostat was removed and the fan was connected direct.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
When engine warmed feel along radiator core see if cooler at bottom than top woyld indicate corroson in radiator. Maybe can flush. Also spray water on radiator if temp drops good indication of radiator fault if temp does not drop then may have exhaust gas intrusion into cooling jacket
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
Thanks Doc, I noticed that the water in the radiator has change seems like there is corrossion in the radiator, because the water do wet the radiator cover and it has changed color and even the water reserve plastic has brownish color. I wil check the radiator and get back to you.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
Hi Doc, the radiator was warm its not cool at all when I felt it after the engine has warm for 20mins.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
The water in the reservoir coolant bubbles and I noticed that the upper and lower hose are hot seriously, can it be radiator problem? Pls help.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUFTEEH
  • MEMBER
  • 48 POSTS
Problem rectified, radiator was drain and washed, the temperature has remain normal since then
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)

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