Engine overheats?

Tiny
LEEKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
My 2002 Dodge Stratus overheats after traveling 30 to 45 minutes. The radiator overflows into the overflow tank thus causing the over flow tank to overflow. This is the only antifreeze I lose. If I use my car for short distances is does not overheat. I have taken it to a garage who did a diagnostic test on it and tells me it could either be a headgasket or one of the cyclindars is gone. They verified that the cooling fans are operating normally. They did a compression test and found cyclindar 4 low & cyclindar 2 blowing bubbles in coolant. If it does require a headgasket or replacement of cyclindars would it be wise to just replace the motor with a rebuilt motor? Is it possible that the water pump is gone? What other possibilities are there for the car to overheat?
Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 11:27 AM

39 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
That is a very interesting diagnosis you got. How do they know cylinder 2 is blowing bubbles in the coolant?

Please check out these guides which will help us see what's going on

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
LEEKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes I replaced the thermostat. Could I have put it in wrong. It fit right in.

The said the diagonastic determined that.

You are now the second person who didn't agree with the diagnosis. The car is running good. No issue with the exception of the overheating. What is my best course of action?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Are you sure you didn't put the thermostat in upside down? It will overheat if that happens.

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
MULDOON
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
Does the car overheat with the A/C on, let us know, Declan.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
In the original post, it is mentioned that the vehicle overheats.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
MULDOON
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
Mine does not overheat with A/C on, but gets very hot when I do not use A/C, fans seems to work okay, is there a low and high speed on the relay on cooling fan, thank you Declan.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The fans will come on with the AC. Do they run with it off?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 8:38 AM
Tiny
MULDOON
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
The a/c fan does not come on when a/c is off but the other fan comes on intermitingly, I cleaned out the radiador and changed ct sensor does not show hot on dash but feels very hot on hoses and reserve bottle bubbles, termostat was replaced twice and put in properly, Declan.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Are you using coolant in the vehicle or water? Also, have you checked for head gasket problems? If the one fan is coming on and everything is good, my next thought is the headgasket.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
MULDOON
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
The oil looks clean, but I am praying, thank you declan.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 10:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
One last thing I can think of. Check the trans fluid to make sure it is clean and full. The trans cooler runs through the radiator and coolant could be entering the radiator if there is an internal leak.

Let me know.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
MULDOON
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
I am not loosig coolant but the engine runs hot only when the A/C is not running but cooling fan seems to run but I will watch tranny fluid thank you Declan.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 11th, 2010 AT 6:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Let me know if you have other questions in the future. I will say, the reason the AC prevents it from overheating is because the fan stays all the time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 11th, 2010 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
MULDOON
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
Awesome thank you, Dec.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 12th, 2010 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
MRXEMERICA690
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
When they tested all the cylinders did they do a "cylinder leakage test"? Because that would indicate that a head gasket may be the cause. Or the head is cracked. But I would defiantly just replace the head gasket.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 AT 1:11 PM
Tiny
GRAYMOUSER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 110,000 MILES
Car had a leak and I add bars leak.
Car now overheating under load but still full with water.
If I stop the car the temperature goes down and goes right back up when moving again.
Is it the water pump?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
If you have the V-6 engine, they are notorious for leaking head gaskets. A small leak in a head gasket can cause pressure loss and the system will fail to cool.
Also, are you sure the cooling fans anre coming on.
With the mtor running watch for the cooling fan to come on when temp gauge is near the middle. Then check the other fan, which avts as a back up, by turning on the A/C. If it comes on you probably need a temperature switch.
Other thnigs might be as simple as a thermostat or radiator cap.
Have the sustem pressure tested and make sure the cooling fans come on as the first steps.
When you get the oil changed ask the mechanic to look for signs of anti-freeze, this will be a milky colored fluid in oil, which indicates a failed head gasket.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MSELLIS69
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
2002 dodge stratus, main hose from radiator to engine got knocked off, all fluids drained out of engine, got hose re-attached and filled radiator with coolant and water, now it is over heating to level above hot, so I have been turning off car, cooling it diwn, opening radiator and filling with water, then filling reservoir, come back and restart and let it sit idle for about 15 minutes but the temp goes straight back up again, especially when you step on accelerator, either the heat or the ac are reading either, so like when I put it on heat to draw away from engine, it does not get hot at all and the compressor will not come on, does that mean the thermostat is bad and needs to be replaced, please help, I am jobless and have no money to repair my car, thanks for your time, sincerely,
frustrated and confused
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi msellis
your car has to have the cooling system bled out 'when the system is exposed to air and then refilled part of the air is trapped inside the engine.

If you will be doing this procedure yourself. Then you will need to be extremely CAREFUL. Because the water or coolant comeing out will be in excess of 190 degrees.

There is a bleeder valve in your system maybe the thermostat housing. This may be a screw with a small lock nut on it or even a plug that you need to remove.

Run the eng until it reaches normal temp loosen this bleeder just crack the bleeder watch when you have a full stream of liquid comeing out close the bleeder air should all be out and eng should be at normal operating temp make sure the cooling fans are cycleing
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EACOOLE02
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 92,000 MILES
My car just had the thermostat replaced and now it is overheating and I am getting no heat, I was getting no heat before this but my car was not overheating. I am not sure what the problem is but the coolant is fine and the hoses have all been checked? And the costs of your recommendations would be great.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Overheat Content

Is Your Engine Cool Enough to Check?
VIDEO
Is Your Engine Cool Enough to Check?
Instructional repair video
Overheating Symptoms
GUIDE
Overheating Symptoms
An overheating engine is never a good thing to have happen. If the problem is caught quickly you can save the headache of a major engine repair. Knowing the information from...
VIEW MORE