Sign In Join 

You are here: [F] Forums / Vans & Minivans / Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country overheating



Chrysler Town & Country overheating

32 messages,  Last post on May 04, 2009 at 2:58 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Van


Messages Page 1 of 4
1
2
3
4
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#1 of 32
Chrysler Town & Country overheating by hp3
May 11, 2007 (8:38 am)
Reply
My engine temp will rise to High at random times requiring me to run the heater on high to get the engine cooled down. Using the A/C seems to accelerate the overheating, but it happens without the A/c on as well and it happens randomly. Parts store said might be a cooling fan problem or cooling fan sensor issue. I don't think the cooling fan was running when it was overheating (couldn't hear it), but it was at night and I couldn't see in that area.
 
No coolant leaks, coolant level is adequate, cap appears fine - no leaks - and there's heat coming out of heater so I believe the thermostat seems ok. Does anyone know what the issue might be or how I'd troubleshoot it or fix it?
#2 of 32
Re: Chrysler Town & Country overheating [hp3] by masterpaul1
May 11, 2007 (4:19 pm)
Reply

Replying to: hp3 (May 11, 2007 8:38 am)

What year?
 
Does it over heat in cooler temps.?
 
1) Check the fuses for the cooling fans.
 
2) When you see the temperature gauge going up to hot. Pull over, open the hood and see if the cooling fan is going. (If not, it might be the coolant temp. sensor.)
 
3) With the van running in Park, at idle speed, turn on the AC and see if the cooling fans are running. (Both fans should run all the time when using the AC.)
 
4) Make sure there is nothing blocking the flow of air through the cooling coils in the radiator. Sometimes you might have to run the garden hose over the cooling coils to rinse away all dirt and lent build up.
 
5) You can check the top radiator hose when the van is cold, to see if the thermostat is opening up and not stock closed. When you first start the van, let it run in Park at idle. As you see the temp. gauge going up, feel the top radiator hose to see if it is getting warm/hot. If it is still cold, then the thermostat has not opened yet to allow the coolant to flow thru the radiator to be cooled. If you see the temp. gauge going past the halfway point and the top hose is still on the cool side, it might be the thermostat
#3 of 32
Re: Chrysler Town & Country overheating [masterpaul1] by playtime
May 15, 2007 (7:06 am)
Reply

Replying to: masterpaul1 (May 11, 2007 4:19 pm)

Masterpaul-I would like to compliment you on the great job you did of explaining in detail what could be a very serious problem and what this person should check for. But in explaining what to check you did so in such a manner anyone should be able to understand "keep up the great work of helping others" I agree totally with everything you suggested. This forum is very fortunate to have your knowledge and expertise. Thank You - Jack- playtime
#4 of 32
Re: Chrysler Town & Country overheating [hp3] by mikewilson2
May 16, 2007 (9:30 am)
Reply

Replying to: hp3 (May 11, 2007 8:38 am)

I just had an overheating problem that resulted in ruining the motor. The rear heater tubes rusted out, ran the coolant out of the sysytem and the engine seized. Has anyone else had this issue? I have been told by two garages that this is a "normal" problem with this model. I am looking at a $3000 bill for new motor and heater tubes. My van has 117,000. Do I put the money into it and then have the transmission go or something else.
Has anyone had transmission problems with this model (2002 T & C)
#5 of 32
Overheating by jgianino
May 18, 2007 (12:48 pm)
Reply
My 1999 Chrysler T&C overheated earlier today. First I smelled anti-freeze then a few minutes later the temp went to HOT. The alarm came on them the fast beep followed. There was no heat coming out of the vents when I tried to turn the heat on full. My wife arrived with bottle of anti-freeze and water. I filled the radiator which was empty. I drove home barely making it before the heat went to HOT once again. What do you think the problem it. Radiator hose?, Themostat? or something else? Thanks, JTG
#6 of 32
Re: Overheating [jgianino] by xwesx
May 18, 2007 (3:17 pm)
Reply

Replying to: jgianino (May 18, 2007 12:48 pm)

Hard to say without seeing where it was leaking (spraying!) out, so it is probably worth your while to fill it up (with water... a little more environmentally friendly!) and let it run out again. Sounds like a hose split, a clamp failed, or maybe a fitting cracked/broke.
#7 of 32
Re: Overheating [xwesx] by jgianino
May 19, 2007 (12:19 pm)
Reply

Replying to: xwesx (May 18, 2007 3:17 pm)

xwesx - I took your advice and filled the radiator with water only. I ran the engine for 20 minutes. Temp guage never went past 1/2 way. Tried running heat on full and only cold air came out. Then I heard a click and the air warmed up a bit then went back to cold. All the time the temp guage stayed on 1/2. (warm). No apparent leaks coming from the undercarriage. ???????
#8 of 32
Re: Overheating [jgianino] by xwesx
May 20, 2007 (11:45 am)
Reply

Replying to: jgianino (May 19, 2007 12:19 pm)

Hmmm..... well, if you lost fluid the first two times, it must have gone somewhere. So, did you see white smoke out the exhaust? Are there any "wet" areas in the engine bay? On the engine or transmission? On the undercarriage?
 
At this point I would recommend a full visual inspection of hoses, clamps, gaskets, radiator cap, and engine oil. "Wet" areas on hoses, clamps, radiator cap, or gaskets may point to the area of failure, though it may be something that currently requires higher-than-idle RPMs to manifest itself. Frothiness or coolant in the engine oil would point to a failed head gasket or cracked block, though I have not heard that to be a common occurrence in these engines.
 
The on-and-off of the heater may point to a faulty thermostat. When your engine heats up and stabilizes at 1/2 on the guage, feel your upper radiator hose - it should be warm/hot to the touch. If it remains cold or goes warm then cold, then the thermostat is likely bad.
 
Did your radiator's cooling fans come on at all while it was idling?
 
If all of this yields nothing, you may need to add coolant to the system again and wait until it manifests once more.
#9 of 32
Re: Overheating [xwesx] by jgianino
May 20, 2007 (2:40 pm)
Reply

Replying to: xwesx (May 20, 2007 11:45 am)

No wetness that I could see. The only thing I'm recalling now when you mentioned RPM. Right before the initial smell of radiator fluid I was sitting in my son's school parking lot. He was in the back seat and when I was reaching to hand him a drink I push off what I thought was the floorboard but was actually the accelerator. I quickly realized what I had done and quickly removed my foot. I do not know how high the RPM's got but I am now concerned that I might have hurt the engine.
#10 of 32
Re: Chrysler Town & Country overheating [mikewilson2] by jpf
May 20, 2007 (4:58 pm)
Reply

Replying to: mikewilson2 (May 16, 2007 9:30 am)

I have heard of this problem before with other vehicles. Do you live in an area where a lot of road salt is used during the winter months? If so, then after 4 or 5 winters this problem can readily occur. Washing the undercarriage of the vehicle on a regular basis is a good preventative maintenance measure. If you decide to keep the vehicle and replace the engine, then I would recommend changing the transmission fluid and filter. An overheat situation, also means the transmission fluid was not properly cooled and may be contaminated. Keeping the old tranny fluid may damage the transmission. Good luck.

Messages Page 1 of 4
1
2
3
4
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

You are here: [F] Forums / Vans & Minivans / Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country overheating

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Learn More

2010 Chrysler Town and Country

2010 Chrysler Town and Country Limited Minivan Shown

More Pictures

DoMore

Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement