Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Radiator and Cooling Issues
59 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 3:13 AM
You are in the Dodge Dakota Forum. Your Host is kcram
I recently went on a long road trip. During that time my engine temp peaked at about 240 w/ no A/C. (norm being around 190-200) Red line is 260. The first thing I changed was the thermostat. Didn't change a thing. I am hesitant to change my water pump because (1) it looks like it would be difficult and (2), I am not losing any water. The pressure in my upper and lower hoses seem to be sufficient. The strange thing is that the faster I go, the hotter is gets. if I go over 70mph, the truck would red line for sure. (Common sense would say the faster I go- more air in the radiator- the cooler the engine.) Once I back down to around 40mph, the truck cools to about 210 rather quickly. At a loss for what might be the problem. Any help out there?
|
|
|
Replying to: moquelvog (Aug 19, 2007 4:05 pm) Best regards, Dusty |
|
|
Replying to: dustyk (Sep 03, 2007 6:18 pm)  Thanks again for the advice.
|
|
|
Replying to: dustyk (Sep 03, 2007 6:18 pm) Omen
|
|
|
I noticed my dakota was heating up when I would idle for awhile. I checked the anti-freeze and found it to be low in the radiator. I could also smell the anti-freeze, like it was getting onto the manafold. I put anti-freeze in it and made sure the overflow was at the right capacity also. After I run it for awhile I could still smell the anti-freeze. I checked it again and found the radiator low again. The overflow was still at capacity. It appeared that the anti-freeze was going out the overflow tube and maybe splashing onto the engine. What would cause it to heat up like this. Could it be a bad radiator cap or what. Thanks Larry |
|
|
|
| My 4.7 liter Dakota 4x4 just started overheating yesterday. I replaced the thermostat and that seemed to cure the problem. I let it run at idle for 20 minutes after putting antifreeze into it(the type that says it is compatible with all others) and then drove it over 30 miles, including a couple of stops along the way, and the temperature stayed just below the center of the normal range. I did detect a slight odor of antifreeze just as I pulled into my driveway, but did not see anything leaking and decided the smell was due to spillage when replacing the thermostat. Last night, I started into town and it overheated big time. I pulled off the highway as quickly as possible, and checked under the hood. There was quite a bit of coolant on the drivers side of the engine, and very little on the passenger side. I sat for half an hour to allow it to cool off, then tried to start it. The engine would fire but not keep running.. I had it towed home. This morning I tried to start it and it starts and runs fine, but I didn't keep it running. I checked all of the hoses and couldn't find any holes. I am going to get more coolant and refill the system. Then I'll start it and see, firstly if it I can see anything leaking and secondly if it starts to run hot. It isn't like this was a gradual onset of a problem, so I don't think the radiator is clogged. The temperature has always ran at the center of the normal range until it overheated the first time. When I go and get collant, I might also buy a nre radiator cap, because there is quite a bit of coolant around the cap. | |
|
Hello all, Just this morning I was going in to work and I noticed that the truck wasn't heating up inside as it normally would have. I looked at the temp gage and it was readin very low as if it hasn't been running. Then it just spiked like crazy into the red. My check gages light came on and I pulled over. I opened the hood to check for a problem but nothing seemed to be apparent. Then the hose on the passenger side burst at the bottom and started spraying coolant. My coolant level was fine. I waited about half an hour and drove it back home. The temp gage rose slowly this time but eventually back up into the red. When I got it home I let it sit for a while and checked the fluid level again. It was still good and it hadn't leaked very much in the driveway. When I was inspecting the hose I could feel something inside the hose at the bottom. Not sure what it is unless the thermostat for this truck is very odd shaped. It kind of felt like rod or something similar about pencil thin and about 4 or 5 inches long. Does anyone know what this is and if this could be my problem? When I pulled over the first time. I walked to a parts store and grabbed a manual. It didn't seem to offer much help in troubleshooting. I figured I'd come here and see what you guys can do for me. Thanks and I appreciate any help you can give. Chuck
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: c32077 (Jan 24, 2008 6:29 am) |
|
| I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota Pickup and the temp gauge is running high but not overheating. My electrical cooling fan is not coming on - relay is okay, fuse is okay, and the fan is okay. The thermostat seems ok too. Any ideas what may be wrong? Is there another thermostat I should be looking at? | |
|
|
| I am the original owner of this truck with 124,000 miles on it. It has been a fine truck with no regrets. However, back in December it ran really hot and cracked one head and warped the other. To make a long story short, both heads were replaced, water pump, thermostat (3 times), radiator and fan clutch all were replaced eventually since then. Also just replaced the catalytic converter the other day. It will still run past the center mark while on the interstate causing the electric fan to stay on, which is uncalled for at highway speeds, but the temp controls the fan so it comes on anyway. It will keep climbing a little more to around maybe 220 degrees. I stop on the side of the road and check the lower hose to see if the thermostat has opened and it has not yet opened which is the strangest thing in the world. The thermostat has been replaced 3 times and is 195 degrees. I have tested these in boiling water with 2 thermometers in the pot and they open at around 205 which is okay. Why in the world it will not open while in my truck while driving on the interstate is beyond me. There is nothing else that anyone can do even all the mechanics are scratching thier heads on this one. Does anybody have any ideas on what could be happening here? By the way, it runs at normal temp while doing city driving. | |
You are here:
Forums
Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Radiator and Cooling Issues
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Dodge Dakota
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
