Dodge Dakota Engine Overheating Ogden UT
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport and she is driving my insane. She was running hot, coolant pouring out. I took her in. Water pump replaced, radiator cap replaced.
Hinckley Dodge
(801) 436-8750
(801) 436-8750
2810 Washington Blvd
Ogden, UT
Ogden, UT
Downtown Dodge
(435) 789-0454
(435) 789-0454
270 E Main St
Vernal, UT
Vernal, UT
Larry H Miller Dodge
(801) 553-5580
(801) 553-5580
10985 Auto Mall Dr
Sandy, UT
Sandy, UT
Chrysler Dodge Dealer Lunt Motor Co
(435) 586-6591
(435) 586-6591
39 S Main St
Cedar City, UT
Cedar City, UT
Doug Smith Chrysler Jeep Dodge Subaru & Suzuki
(801) 492-0100
(801) 492-0100
501 W Main St
American Fork, UT
American Fork, UT
Layton Hills Dodge
(801) 546-2456
(801) 546-2456
1234 N Main St
Layton, UT
Layton, UT
Dodge Appliance And Service
(801) 484-3611
(801) 484-3611
3258 W 11430 S
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
Hinckley Dodge
(801) 484-8755
(801) 484-8755
2309 S State St
South Salt Lake, UT
South Salt Lake, UT
Scan Dodge
(801) 972-2875
(801) 972-2875
1743 Alexander St
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
Hinckley Dodge
(801) 484-8883
(801) 484-8883
2775 S 300 W
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
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Dodge Dakota Engine Overheating
Reader Question
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport and she is driving my insane. She was running hot, coolant pouring out. I took her in. Water pump replaced, radiator cap replaced.
She was doing fine and then out of the blue today she overheated while I was driving to work for the second time today. I was going about 70 and the temp maxed out. The gate guard said it smelled like the thermostat was stuck. I am going bald from the frustration. Please help me!!!
Laura
Hi there Laura,
Keep your hair intact, this is probably not as bad as you think. Since this last overheating issue happened at freeway speeds I would be highly suspect of a radiator that is clogged up with rust and junk at the bottom.
When radiators get stopped up, you can NOT "flush" the problem out. A new radiator is the only way to correct the issue....and a new after market radiator from your local auto parts place is half the price of a new radiator from Dodge.
A good mechanic should ALWAYS first pressure test the cooling system for leaks, if no leaks they can feel the radiator (when the engine is hot) and see if the top of the radiator is hotter than the bottom of the radiator...which would indicate a restriction. Most repair shops use these new infrared laser thermometers, which can really help pinpoint overheating restrictions.
Thermostats do fail, although it is not very common these days, but they are cheap and easy to replace if you want to just try a new one and see what happens.
To read the full article, visit Myhonestmechanic.com
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport and she is driving my insane. She was running hot, coolant pouring out. I took her in. Water pump replaced, radiator cap replaced.
She was doing fine and then out of the blue today she overheated while I was driving to work for the second time today. I was going about 70 and the temp maxed out. The gate guard said it smelled like the thermostat was stuck. I am going bald from the frustration. Please help me!!!
Laura
Hi there Laura,
Keep your hair intact, this is probably not as bad as you think. Since this last overheating issue happened at freeway speeds I would be highly suspect of a radiator that is clogged up with rust and junk at the bottom.
When radiators get stopped up, you can NOT "flush" the problem out. A new radiator is the only way to correct the issue....and a new after market radiator from your local auto parts place is half the price of a new radiator from Dodge.
A good mechanic should ALWAYS first pressure test the cooling system for leaks, if no leaks they can feel the radiator (when the engine is hot) and see if the top of the radiator is hotter than the bottom of the radiator...which would indicate a restriction. Most repair shops use these new infrared laser thermometers, which can really help pinpoint overheating restrictions.
Thermostats do fail, although it is not very common these days, but they are cheap and easy to replace if you want to just try a new one and see what happens.
To read the full article, visit Myhonestmechanic.com