2000 Dodge Van Engine Overheating

Tiny
FALCONBROTHER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE VAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 232,000 MILES
I have a 2000, Dodge 3500 RamVan with a 360 V8. It has high mileage but, has always been maintained. Recently it has begun to overheat and boil over. I had a professional garage check it over and they couldn't get it to overheat. They put in a new thermostat and serviced it. Today it did the exact same thing, overheat and boil over. They tell me that it didn't have a bad head gasket when they looked at it. In fact, they say they have no idea why it is overheating. My guess is that maybe they put in a bad thermostat. That is also their theory. Any ideas? By the way, it was 91 degrees out today.
Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 4:50 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If the thermostat, water pump, radiator, cooling fan are all good to go-could be air in the system, if not get it block and pressure tested to find out more what's going on.
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
FALCONBROTHER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So far I have avoided doing this job myself. The older I get the more painful it gets. Just to give a bit of history. This van belonged to the state till December. I bought it with 232000 on the ODO. I guess it has 233000 now. It looks to have been serviced very regularly as every part on the engine looks to be newer than the engine it's self. Naturally it didn't come with any records, just a key. So, far everything has run good.

Will a vehicle overheat from a blown head gasket if it still has sufficient antifreeze? I cant imagine that it would. Im gonna mess with it tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. If not the mechanic will get it back on Monday.
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Start by replacing the thermostat and see what happens
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
FALCONBROTHER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was doing some research and am developing an idea. Today when I crawled under the van I noticed what I thought was a bluish RTV or gasket maker on the fan clutch, which I thought was strange. I now think it is leaking oil. Im gonna switch out the fan clutch in the am and see if that does it. The therm is new so hopefully it is a good one. I really appreciate your time and replies.
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
FALCONBROTHER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
As it turns out the radiator was crudded up enough to keep the van from cooling on hot, hot, days. I replaced it and everything is good. Thanks.
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Sunday, July 5th, 2009 AT 4:30 PM

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