Hello I have a 96 dodge dakota and about two weeks ago my radiator started to leak so I put radiator stop leak in and changed the thermostat. A week later my radiator exploded. So I replace the radiator and I replaced the temperature coolant sensor and flushed out the old fluid and put new coolant in. I've replaced the thermostat twice thinking the first one was defective. However my temperature gauge goes up fast and is very close to the hot mark. Whats making it over heat and what can I do to make the temperature normal again so i don't end up blowing another radiator? if you can help i would really appreciate it

 

not an expert but if I were you I would check your water pump.

 

is there anyway to tell if your water pump is bad? Because i dont want to buy a new one if there isnt anything wrong with it.

 

Are you sure you put in the correct temperature thermostat? If you put in a to high thermostat that could be your problem. Stock is 195, 180 is good for performance.

 

I checked the box and it said 195

 

i woul go to 180.............i put a 165 in my 90 3.9 warm weather all year here woks fine.

 

I had a radiator leak in my 96 a while back and used radiator stop leak too. A couple days later the temp would shoot all the way up and not come down. Turned out that the stop leak clogged the water pump. While its running after its warmed up squeeze your upper radiator hose, you should feel a surge when you release it if its ok. Also check to see if you have coolant leaking from the weep hole on your water pump. If its leaking you need to replace it. Hope this helps.

 

Mizery is right that stop leak really mucks up the cooling system. i would drain and remove bottom raditor hose from raditor and remove the thermostat and flush the block by running water thru the thermostat hole, also flush the raditor and heater. replace thermostat with 180 degree.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions, ill try to squeeze that radiator hose to see if i feel any pressure, if i feel pressure when i squeeze the hose what else could I look for if that seems fine?

 

If you feel a pressure surge after you squeeze the hose then look for the weep hole on your water pump. It might be near the bottom so you might need a mirror. But check if there is coolant leaking out. If there is then your seal is bad and you need to replace your water pump. Other than it making a high pitched squeal I dont know of any other way to check if its bad.