Posted by andy r on June 01, 2013 at 07:28:16 from (75.91.149.15):
My 2002 Dodge 1500 has developed a recent problem of overheating and then at times you can drive for miles with no problem. Temperature gage comes up slowly not all at once. You can see it raise over 15 to 30 miles when this event happens. Engine is a 4.7 with about 100,000 miles on it. It started about 2 weeks ago when I was trailering about 150 bags of soybeans at about 55 mph. Temperature gage came way up so I pulled over for a few minutes to let it cool down and then only had three miles to the farm. I checked the coolant and added some water - not much was added. You have to add to the little tank on top and then I always squeeze the hose to help it get sucked into the radiator and engine block. Then over the last couple of weeks the temperature gage would come up and the warning noise would go off and I would pull over and let it cool down. Never takes much coolant. I think it did it 4 or 5 times in the 15 - 20 times I drove it. So, this last week I put a new radiator cap on it. Thought that solved the problem as I drove it multiple times with the gauge at normal. Well, I guess not. Hauled 20 railroad ties to the farm yesterday morning and it got hot in the last 5 miles after driving 90 miles with no problems. Told a friend I would haul a lawn mower for him yesterday afternoon. In the 90 miles one way I had to stop twice going and once coming home. But then the last 60 miles the temperature gage was at normal with no issues at all. I bought a new thermostat which I will put in today to see if that is the problem. I also notice I don't get much if any heat out of the heater/defrost - been a problem the last year or two - don't know if that might be helpful information - could the water pump fins be shot?? Hard for me to believe the head gaskets are bad as it holds good pressure in the cooling system when you pull over to let it cool down. Never any white smoke out of the exhaust. Changed oil yesterday and it looked good too. When you start the engine it fires on all cylinders immediately. So I don't think water is getting into the cylinders. I might add that this is not stop and go traffic - down the road at 40 - 55 so I don't think it has anything to do with the fan clutch. Installed a new "parts store" radiator 1 1/2 years ago due to a leak in the side tank. Belt on the front end of the engine is good and also tight driving the water pump. Lastly when it does overheat it does cause the radiator cap to release some steam/water. Haven't been adding antifreeze since this started, just water. I know water boils at a lower temperature than antifreeze but don't think this is the problem? Maybe I should be adding 50/50?? Any more ideas would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks
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