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Mystery Overheating Issue
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Krakatoa
New User
Jul 13, 2011, 8:24 AM
Post #1 of 2
(1664 views)
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Mystery Overheating Issue
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2002 Dodge Intrepid, 2.7 eng, 130K
Maybe not such a mystery, as I've been scouring the web to find that the Chrysler/Dodge 2.7 in my car's year range is universally despised.
Car runs great in city, stop-and-go, very smooth no noises, solid acceleration, etc. It even runs great on the freeway.......for a short time before the temp gauge needle starts rocketing up the gauge. Sometimes it actually overheats while other times it just thinks about doing it, and the needle moves down, then up, then down......you get the idea. I always pull over to let it cool down, even if the warning light hasn't come on yet. If it's getting too close, I'll shut it down.
There are no leaks. The only thing that leaks is about a teaspoon of oil when I park the car and have been told the oil pan gasket should be replaced. I need to solve this bizarre overheating issue first (as I don't know that the oil pan gasket leak would have any relationship to the overheating?).
Brand New Shop Installations (to try and solve the problem):
water pump, thermo, temp sensor, radiator, timing belt and adjust, coolant obviously (50/50).........I've dumped a lot of cash down this hole already and have only owned the car for two weeks. Drove fine the first few days, then the overheating began and two mechanics and the work done so far have failed to resolve the problem.
Oddly enough, the caran just fine for the first few days we've had it -- until I took it in for the CA smog test. It passed, but after leaving the shop is when it first overheated and where all these problems began. Any relationship possibilities between being smog checked and the sudden onset of problems?
Mechanic now says it's likely a leak in the head gasket (not 'blown', as it runs so well, but something allowing air/high pressure into the system). There is no mixing of coolant and oil or oil and water, evertything's clean. No white smoke out the pipe. Engine runs very smoothly, no hesitations, no roughness at all.
The one thing that strikes me as odd is that, in the morning when I check the coolant reservoir, it is brimming to the very top. It's supposed to be between the MIN and MAX lines well down into the reservoir, right? When filled, that's where it's filled to - to the MAX line. So I'm wondering why the reservoir is always way up to the top of the neck after cooling down (and maybe even while driving, and maybe that's the problem - if the coolant is somehow getting locked in the reservoir and not getting enough to the engine?). In any case, the reservoir is to the absolute overflow point in the morning (or after any solid cooldown period).
When the engine runs hot, there is bubbling in the reservoir and it seems to be holding an awful lot of pressure. Mecahnic said after 20 minutes you should be able to remove the cap, but there is high pressure in that reservoir well beyond that. Reservoir is full, bubbling, and spitting out the overflow 'blowhole' on top of the reservoir. Let it sit until fully cool, remove the cap, and there it is in all its glory..........coolant right up to the very top of the neck.
I have checked the cap and it appears to be okay. It's an aftermarket cap, 16lbs, 'assembled in Mexico', but not sure what brand it is and the car is down at the shop, so I can't check.
Cap or Head Gasket?? They seem to be the only two things left. I think if there were any cracks in the head/block/cyl, that performance would not be anywhere as good as it is, and other more dire symptoms would be present. The car runs so well, that's why I'm willing to invest a little bit to try and get it back on the highway without worry of overheating.
Thank you in advance for any help. This is a car my son and I picked out, private owner, for him to drive at college. I feel so guilty and like I let him down. He saved three grand for this car. I'm stationed overseas and am just visiting him. I would like to have this car fixed by the time I have to go back so I haven't left him with an undrivable vehicle.
(This post was edited by Krakatoa on Jul 13, 2011, 8:32 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 13, 2011, 11:05 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1629 views)
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Re: Mystery Overheating Issue
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Sounds like a blown head gasket. Have a chemical test for that done.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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