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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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10/03/2005
23:02:13
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 Subject: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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I bought my 1999 318 Dakota in October of last year with 72k miles on it. My only mods are air intake and a 40 series flowmaster muffler. When I got it, the coolant resevoir bottle was empty. I didn't think much of it and filled it with some of the premix stuff. This was in November. I checked it regularly for the following couple of months after that and looked good. I checked it the other day and it was empty again.
I've also been smelling ethylene glycol in the garage from the front of the truck grille area when I get home.
I live in Texas and lately it's been upwards of 105 degrees on some days.
A week ago during one of those 100+ days, I had to sit still in traffic for a good 7 minutes with the AC on, watching the temp gauge, it got all the way up to around 205 degrees. Normally, when the truck is in motion, the temp gauge sits steady at around 190-195 degrees Farenheit.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice. I've never had to deal with a cooling system problem and as such, I don't know a whole lot of cooling systems. Is any of this normal; such as the empty resevoir bottle, the smell of coolant or the temp jumping up to 205 while sitting idling on a 105 F degree day?
I did check the upper and lower radiator hoses, and there connections within 5 minutes of pulling in the garage the other day when it was real hot out, I didn't see any signs of leaking. Whether it be previous stains or any wet areas.
I've been eyeing the 180 degree thermostats, but I've been modding my truck for higher gas mileage and that is a step in the wrong direction. It also seems like a stop gap measure for what may be a larger problem.
I have looked down in the radiator, the fluid is fresh, having just been flushed and filled by the dealer before I bought the truck in October. The inside of the radiotor looks very clean with no signs of corrosion.
And also when the truck sits still for more than a few minutes on these hot days, I get the funny air rushing sound that I believe means it is running lean. Is that normal or a symptom of a larger problem? I had a 1993 Dakota with the 318 and it would do this as well, except that it would actually vapor lock and leave me stranded during days of more than 95 degree heat. I really don't know for sure positive if it was vapor locking, I took it to a Dodge dealer and the mechanic didn't believe me, he said "Dodge trucks don't vapor lock", lol those were his words.
Anyway, thanks for any help at all.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2005
00:42:09
|  RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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Finding a leak in hot weather can be tough. It generally dries before you can find it. Run the engine a little, not enough to get iot really worm, but just to get the water moving. Then look for the leak in a dark garage with a black light. Some antifreze glows really well, and some doesn't. If yours doesn't, go to NAPA and get some flourescine dye.
205 is not bad at all. Don't worry about that.
Don't bother chnaging to a lower thermostat. That only sets the minimum operating temp. It won't help your truck run cooler.
Fuel injected vehicles rarely experiance vapor lock.
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Zach
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2005
02:32:57
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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The air rushing noise is most likely the clutch fan kicking in, it normally disengages after a minute or so if you get moving at a good pace allowing air to pass through the radiator so it can cool down. As Bob said, 205 is nothing to worry about, my '99 will stay around 210 on hot days if im in stop and go traffic. Are you noticing any stains or wet spots underneath the truck after it has been parked?
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davec
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2005
08:35:01
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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Open your hood and with a flashlight look at your top radiator hose. Follow it down until it stops at the intake manifold (behind the A/C compressor). This is where your thermostat is and chances are your leak also. If it is wet have it replaced. If it is not wet...climb underneath and look at the front of the engine. I've seen some water pumps leak on these trucks. If nothing there, keep looking at the cooling system components. Anti-freeze will leave a whitish trail if it leaks and dries. Good luck...
Dave
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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2005
11:38:07
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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Thanks for the info guys. That's good to know about that being the clutch fan kicking in.
DaveC, I did follow both the upper and lower radiator hoses from the radiator to the engine and I didn't see any signs of leakage. I'll look again to double check though.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2005
16:00:36
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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How bout the radiator cap seeping a bit > Seems it takes months to go down some > The amount he is talking about and the time involved isn't obnormal far as I'm concerned > If in fact there is a leak, it's super small >
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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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10/04/2005
23:07:13
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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I replaced the radiator cap tonight. We'll see if that helps out.
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jasonct
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2005
20:46:44
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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One thought on your problem evraven: have you noticed any milky-white sludge in the oil ie on the end of the dipstick? I'm thinking of a bad cylinder head gasket allowing the coolant to get into the oil. Just a thought!
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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2005
13:53:07
| RE: Coolant leak somewhwere?
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Thanks Jasonct for the tip. I've been doing my own oil changes and I am definately not seeing any coolant in the oil.
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