Engine is overheating?

Tiny
TIFFANY31
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE DURANGO
  • 117,000 MILES
Car keeps over heating new water pump, new radiator, new thermostat top hose gets hot bottom hose and radiator are cool took radiator out and car runs fine
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Saturday, April 27th, 2013 AT 6:13 PM

74 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,689 POSTS
You might want to consider having a chemical test done to check for a leaking cylinder head gasket. That involves drawing air from the radiator through a glass cylinder with two chambers partially-filled with a special dark blue liquid. If combustion gases are present the liquid will turn bright yellow. Those gases can pool under the thermostat and prevent it from opening, depending on which engine you have. Thermostats only open in response to hot liquid, not hot air. But to be sure these guides will help us fix the problem

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, April 27th, 2013 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
AYANA.ROBINSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 DODGE DURANGO
I have a 2004 dodge durango hemi engine that was leaking coolant and overheating. The dealer fixed the leaking but cant figure out why its overheating. They checked the coolant system and thermometer and all was well. Do you have any suggestions
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CPAUL57
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have an 04 Durango. I had a problem with overheating also but no leaking. I installed a new thermostat but it did not solve problem. Had to have a new radiator installed. Apparently a malfunctioning or blocked raadiator core. That fixed the problem.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CLOSWIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 82,000 MILES
Hello, the problem I have with my truck is that every time I turn the a/c on, truck begins to heat up. I have changed my radiator about a year ago, just recently changed thermostat, fan clutch, waterpump, antifreeze coolant, and the coolant sensor. The only thing for me to do is a radiator flush, but don't see a reason to do it cause you can say the radiator is still semi -new. Both hoses are in good condition and are not leaking. Would like to know if I should still take it to get a complete radiator flush, if it would solve the problem. Please help, I'm at a loss and would like to use my truck before winter comes. Thankyou for taking the time to help.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Has the engne actually overheated? I question if the temp sending unit is bad. Also, does it only overheat when in traffic or will it at highway speed too?

I agree with you. The radiator should be fine. You may consider having the engine block flushed, but I honestly question if that will help. Also, does the engine run good otherwise? I wonder if there is a head gasket problem.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CLOSWIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The truck temp. Guage needle only has about an 1/8 to 1/4 before it hits the H on it, in traffic or freeway. How would I know if head gasket is bad? The truck runs good.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
I agree with you. Chances are the radiator isn't the problem, so a flush would most likely be a waste of money.

As far as the head gasket question, you would need to do a compression test. Then you could check to see if there is a cylender with low compression.

If this only happens with the ac on and you have done everything you described, I question if there is a problem at all other than a faulty coolant temp sensor or some short that is causing the gauge to raise. Another thing you could try (to make sure the gauge is accurate) is to rent a radiator thermometer. With the engine cold, open the radiator cap, put in the thermometer, start the engine with the AC on and see what temp the coolant in the radiator gets. It should stay around 200 degrees F.

Here is a how to for checking compression if you need it:

https://www.2carpros.com/dia/how_to_check_compression.htm

Something tells me with everything you have done, something is causing the gauge to misread.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SWANTELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,454 MILES
I just had the engine rebuilt. 2 days after getting car back it is still over heating. What else cold be wrong
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
What all has been replaced? Could be many things causing overheating from faulty radiator to clogged heater core, bad thermostat etc.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SWANTELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thermostat, thermostat housing, rebuilt engine consisti ng of replacing rings, rods, and main bearings, cylinder head reconditioning, ALL gaskets, engine tune up and not sure what ps and ac add is
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Looks like still waterpump, heater core and radiator not yet checked. Suggest flushing system including heater core and inspecting waterpump. Also ensure radiator fan(s) are coming on properly
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MECHMANN1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,123 MILES
Keeps overheating but the overflow is full. Its like no water is circulating threw the radiator.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Hi:
Is the coolant boiling? Are you sure the gauge is correct? Have you ever had the cooling system flushed? Replaced the thermostat?

Joe
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJNB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
I have replaced the thermostat, cluth fan and flushed the radiator system and it continues to overheat when at a stop light or just an idle if I put it in nutral and give a little gas it cools back donw
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Seems like there may be weak pressure in cooling system, this could be due to a clog in the system ( dirty heater core etc.) Or even a failing water pump
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYDANASARA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
I had put coolant into the radiator but for did not close cap tightly needless to say it overheated to the point that it cut off after letting it cool I refilled the radiator and oput the cap on tight. I then resatarted the car it did not over heat but it is running real rough and jittery I then replaced the spark plugs thinking some may have gotten fried although it is running a little better it is still running rough almost like its an exhaust problem. I checked the oil and anti freeze to be sure there was no oil or coolant mixture so I don't think its the headgasket coule you give me some ideas
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
I think it is the head gasket. but first lets check the wires, if this is a distributor, then check under the cap, also check the map sensor, check anywhere that the coolant may have sprayed, also check vacuum hoses going to the intake manifold.

These guides can help us fix it.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYDANASARA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Took it to the shop and they checked the compression on the cylinders and it was fine but they noticed that the vacuum was low but they say that its directly related to the car overheating new engine time
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RLMAXWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE DURANGO
My 02 Durango has recently been over heating. I have changed the pressure cap and the thermostate. The truck only overheats at low speeds (40 mph or less) it is fine on the highway. The reservior keeps filling up. It will not pull the coolant back into the radiator. When I let it warm up with the pressure cap off, I do not see the coolant moving unless I reve up the engine. I am suspecting that the impellar is worn or slipping in the water pump. Don't want to change to pump on just a guess. Looking for help.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO BOB
  • MECHANIC
  • 45 POSTS
The coolant will pull back in the radiator when the engine cools down but this will not happen if there is a small coolant leak somewhere. As far as the overheating problem, first look at the for a partially plugged radiator and then the water pump.

Hope this helps,
Bob
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:57 PM (Merged)

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