| From | Message |
KahunaGrande
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
00:55:19
|
 Subject: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
1999 Dakota Ex. Cab, SLT, 5.2, Auto, 4x4, ~110,000 miles
Just finished the intake plenum gasket (man did that suck), get it all put back together, and now the darn thing overheats.
I installed new 180 thermostat, bypass hose, upper hose, 16# pressure relief cap and serpentine belt while I had access. When it started overheating I checked coolant level and it seemed OK (refilled after completed intake job).
Symptoms are the temp guage slowly comes up to about 180, then quickly goes straight to 260 and sets off idiot light. The upper hose gets hard as a rock when the engine warms up (but has coolant in it for sure), and I hear what sounds like gurgling or boiling. If I release the pressure with the lever on the cap there is a violent slapping noise inside the radiator which I think may be air, then coolant leaks out through the overflow tank by the battery.
I did not find the posts about drilling an air relief hole in the t-stat until after the fact and think that may be part of the problem. Also, I am not sure if the t-stat goes in spring down (like every other vehicle I have owned) or spring up as the stand pipe and t-stat came out and fell while I was working to free them (never saw it installed). Any help here is appreciated.
I am also concerned that the clutch fan clutch may be going out as well because I did not get the old "roar" on start up (although it seems to be working now). Folks at Autozone didn't have tyhe right set of tools and I can't get the darn nut off (even though I have tried all the "alternate" methods I found by searching the archives).
Looking for ideas on what might be up (t-stat, clutch fan, head gasket (ouch!!) based on your experiences).
Thank in advance.
John
|
Science Guy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
08:36:16
|  RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
are you certaian that the serpentine belt is going in the right direction? Secondly, the intake manifold gaskets are set to go on ONE way. they are labeled right and left. are they installed right? i ask because of water flow blockage if the intake manifold gaskets are improperly installed. keep us informed.
|
Doug
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
10:08:26
| RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
John, I couldn't believe what I was reading of your situation. Very ironic. I also have a 99 Dakota 5.2 4x4 auto with 110,000 mi. I just finished the intake/plenum gasket. I also overheated. It didn't go right to 260, it stayed at 200/210 for about 12 miles then shot up to 260. I put a new 180 t-stat in at the time of the gasket change. First, I thought air pocket. So after burping the system a few times. It still did heated up. I limped it home and put another brand new t-stat in. This time I put the called for 192 in. I ran it for a couple hours with the A/C cranking. It got up between 200/210 and that's where it stayed. Now, when I shut the truck off and it sits for a few minutes. As sonn as I start it up it goes up to around 230, then slowly goes back to 200 again. It has been over 90 degrees here over the last 5 days. I am not sure if this is normal. I just put a new water pump on back in April. As well as hoses and a new t-stat then.
|
.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
10:14:37
| RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
John, sounds like you have an air bubble. When coolant gets that hot, it's usually turned to steam. Need air space to allow steam to form.
The easist way to burp the system is to drill a small hole in the thermostat plate, then run the engine through a couple of mild heat/cool cycles. Assuming everything is put back together correctly, that should be all it takes.
|
KahunaGrande
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
10:22:12
| RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
I will double check the belt orientation but I figured that thing would really only fit right one way, good suggestion.
The gaskets which I got from the local dealership were only labeled manifold side (no markings for right or left, and I looked because I had seen that comment in the archives). We checked the fit-up to the water passages and they seemed to be symmetrical (hope that ain't it, do not want to go through that again but it would be easier the 2nd time around.
How about the gurgling noise? Never remember it being that loud or persistent before. Also, anything on the T-Stat orientation? I am hoping it is something simple.
Thanks again
John
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
10:45:43
| RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
the spring on the t/stat goes down into the manifold.
|
KahunaGrande
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/10/2005
11:31:20
| RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks all so far. When I leave my shop this afternoon I'll pull the T-stat and drill a burp hole, reassemble and see if I can get all the air out (my assumption remains it is air in the system but wuth all the parts off I am concerned i may have installed the gaskets backward or something stupid like that).
I do get hot air out of the heater core (really hot air), and I let it run up to the temp light a couple times to see if the heater would go cold but it stayed hot. Not sure if that means anything.
Any signs other than sweet steam in the exhaust, loss of coolant or frothy oil for a head gasket leak or intake manifold leak? Those are my only other candidates for the symptoms I am seeing, but it sure seems like it may be an air bubble.
Anyone tried the Prestone flush kits (more interested in the tap into the heater return line than the actual flush)? I had that setup on one of my old Scouts and it was helpful for burping and flushing as well.
Thanks again
John
|
KahunaGrande
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/11/2005
00:10:05
| RE: '99 5.2 Overheating
IP: Logged
Message:
So, in honor of the "alternate" repair methods throughout the archives, I figured I would try something creative with my air bubble problem by driving up on ramps on my driveway and burping the cooling system.
It is working slightly better but still overheats. The fan clutch is operating fine now so I suspect the radiator wasn't getting warm enough to activate the clutch spring.
I will go ahead and remove the t-stat tomorrow morning, drill it, and try to burp it again.
Thanks again for the advice.
John
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
