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Jaq
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
22:47:58
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 Subject: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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Im about to loose my mind! 98 Dakota 4cyl 2.5 Overheats at idle,stop n go traffic,redlights, drivethru etc or inclines; does not going down highway. Within this year the following has been changed: raditor, water pump, thermastat 2x, S-belt, fan, cap, cooling temp sensor, rad hoses,all relays checked ok, levels ok, no leaking My 80 yr mother told me the oil pump is bad; at the lower rpms its not pushing the oil correctly thus its overheating. is there a way to check the oil pump without dropping the pan?? anyone with thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated
JAQ
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spt
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
23:44:30
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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Do you know for a fact that your electric fan is working? Have you seen it turning when the truck is heating up? Is your thermostat in the correct way? These are the only things I think it could be if your truck is overheating all the time, except when your going down the highway and there is enough air moving to cool the rad down. I do not think your oilpump has anything to do with your overheating.
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Jaq
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
00:24:11
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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spt-thanks for the reply. Yes fan works...put in this weekend good air flow, thermostat installed correct both times(not reversed). More info-- 106k miles and I live in southern cali desert --which makes it worse driving thru town in 115 degree heat with the heater on ...i get dizzy just thinking about it. there has to be something I missed.
JAQ
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
07:03:22
|  RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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If you have changed everything and still
overheating the only thing left is, there is too
much scale deposits inside the engine block and
head. All the flushing in the world won't get it
out. It's hard as a rock.
Only one way I know of to *fight* the problem.
Bigger raditor! I don't know how many rows of
cores in your new raditor now but you're gonna
have to order one with at least one more row or
even have one built. You might even check into
a racing raditor.
I'm only guessing but for a 98 to have 106k on it,
was the system ever drained and flushed before
these problems started? My guess the answer is no.
The Chrysler engineers designed that engine and
raditor combo just big enough to drag your 98 Dak
down the road. It really isn't big enough. That's
why you can't get that combo any longer.
Let us know how you make out.
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Jaq
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2004
03:36:43
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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RadioMan-
Actually the system was flushed (perhaps too late to matter), the new raditor was stock. The rad is very small looks like it should be on a go-cart not a truck that is for sure. A buddy offered to put a larger one on for me regarless if that is the answer or not i should take him up on it anyway. Thanks for your input. If anything else comes to your mind please let me know.
Jaq
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jdb
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2004
10:44:27
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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I would first double check the level of the radiator antifreeze. Leave the cap off while it is idling and let it run until the thermostat opens, then top off the antifreeze as the level goes down. I've seen air pockets form in some engines making them appear full. Make sure your new radiator is brand new and not rebuilt, I've seen rebuilts that are 50% clogged. If you've had a lot of engine work done you might have a gasket on backward or some sealant plugging a passsage.
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OldSchool
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2004
11:23:48
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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Any evidence of oil in the coolant, or coolant in oil? If so, the head gasket is probably blown.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2004
21:10:37
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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Stick or auto? The reason I ask is if an automatic, and the tranny is in need of attention (usually serious attention looming) it'll generate even more heat than usual, particularly at lower speeds when it's not all locked up and in overdrive. Also, to crutch things, I'd go with a 180 degree thermostat if you haven't done that already. Injectors may be partially clogged and the restriction is causing a lean low-speed situation. At higher speeds, you have greater airflow than what the fan can provide at low speed, and the system is able to manage it. I've also seen heater control valves cause overheating.
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Noltz
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2004
21:24:58
| RE: 98 Dakota overheats Changed everything
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All the above suggestions are good to look into. There's no reason a 2.5 should overheat, unless the cooling system is too small. And at 110 degrees and what you're describing, I'd say it's too small.
Did you try running with no thermostat at all? It'll remove a big restriction in the cooling system. If removing it fixes the overheating problem, get yourself a bigger, custom radiator. Or perhaps one from a 6 or 8 cylinder with custom rad hoses? Should be a near bolt-in with correct hardware. And Gen1Dak has a very good point that I personally experienced. When the low/reverse clutch band burnt out in my automatic 3.9, the engine overheated from the excessive heat the transmission dumped into the cooling system. I hope this isn't the case for you.
Good luck!
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