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Engine overheating problem?

Tiny
LAURENM
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE STRATUS
  • 139,994 MILES
My water pump went out on my car. We replaced it, and the timing belt. ( It is in time). We cranked it up, and filled all of the fluids in the car. It idles high, and when we are driving and coasting to a stop it dies. This morning we drove it, drove good, but then it started smoking really bad. This morning I heard it bubbling. What could be the cause of the overheating?
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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 11:26 AM

40 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It may be a thermostat going bad. If it sounds like coffee percolating replace the thermostat first. This guide can help us fix it.

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

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
BECKER48
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 98,000 MILES
When more water was added it bubbles out with radiator cap off. Is this at thermostat on a 2005 dodge status the car still overheated on 1 mile drive home when a/c was turned on.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
How fast were you driving, city stop-and-go or on the highway? How long had the engine been running?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BECKER48
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The car was running for 30 minutes both highway and city. Never had any overheating before.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
If it does not overheat on the highway but it does at lower speeds, it's due to an inoperative electric radiator fan. It's not needed with the natural air flow at higher speeds.

Bubbling at the radiator with the cap off is not a good indicator of overheating. The coolant can get up to 220 degrees. That's eight degrees above boiling for the water in the coolant so it can bubble. The radiator cap keeps up to 15 pounds of pressure on the system. That raises the water's boiling point to 257 degrees.

If the temperature gauge on the dash indicates the engine is running too hot, first check to see if the fan is turning on. If it is not, start with diagnosing that circuit. If it is running, check for bubbles in the reservoir. Bubbles suggest a leaking head gasket.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYMONI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
My overheats and creates a lot of back pressure I checked my oil and there is no water in. It so what could be causing it to overheat?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check coolant level if low have system pressure checked for leaks. It may be a head gasket if it overheats. As soon as you start it or a couple of minutes after check thermostat.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SHADDEN06
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
Coolant is always leaking and it looks like maybe oil in my coolant over flow. When my car is idling it sounds like its gonna die. And a whining noise coming from under my hood.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Those are both serious issues. You need to find out what that oil is and where it came from and you shouldn't be driving it in the meantime. If it's dark in color it may be motor oil and if it's reddish, it could be transmission fluid.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SHADDEN06
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I think it was burnt coolant, but I chaanged thermostat added water to radiator and put coolant in the over flow seems to be better but my fans are not kicking on
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The fans aren't supposed to come on until approx 225 degrees which may seem high but that is they way they are supposed to work. Do they come on with the AC?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYSTOLPYSTOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
My 2005 sxt 2.4L dodge stratus is overheating in idle only, gage goes back to normal while driving, without ac/heater running (both working fine) what could this be, where is it, and how do I fix?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Sounds like your radiator cooling fan isn't working does it come on when your idling and it heat's up?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYSTOLPYSTOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Not sure, how do I check that?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYSTOLPYSTOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Aux fans are not coming on, I checked all the relay fuses. They all work when I cut engine off switch them around and restart car.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So the fan's aren't coming on at all on the radiator?What does the temp gauge read when it's overheating?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSSELLTRT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My 04 dodge stratus SXT 2.7L V6 startes overheating about four weeks ago. Since this has occured I have asked and had my car seen by WHAT WAS SUPPOSED to be a MACHANIC and also changed the thermostat and the water outlet however the car is still overheating badly I can't even drive a mile before the light comes on and it is completly in the red. I have been told that the head gasket is bad however the car does not show any of the signs like the white smoke, chugging, a and the hose isn't rock hard however I am not a Machanic but this is what I have been told. The car RUNS and DRIVES absolutly fine nothing seems wrong but the overheating. I can't drive the car and sence this have lost my job so now MONEY is the number two big issue PLEASE HELP ANYONE WITH ANY IDEAS I"M OPEN TO ANYTHING.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Are cooling fans coming on? Oil look normal? Any leaks or boiling over?
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSSELLTRT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The fan is coming on the oil looks good and the only leak is the valve cover gasket leaks a little bit of oil
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Need to check for coolant flow remove cap remove some coolant below neck. Run do you see coolant movement? Does top hose get hot if yes then coolat is flowing
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)

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