Hey Guys, this isn't for my 93 Dakota. It's actually for my wife's 2007 Jeep Compass but I know you guys and feel more confident with y'all. She has a 2007 Jeep Compass, 2.4L, Front WD (same car essentially as a Dodge Caliber). It overheated but she didn't really lose much anti freeze. Just steamed out the cap a little. I started to drive it and the temp needle shot up again so I just shut her down and had it towed to my house. My plan is to change out the entire thermostat housing (there are two thermostats in it...idiots) and see if that solves the problem. $65 off Amazon for the part. Not too hard to change out. If that doesn't work then I'm guessing maybe a water pump. Looks like that pump is buried and I'm entirely too old to be contorting like that anymore so I may just pay someone to replace the pump if it comes down to it. The check engine light comes on but I have no way of reading it. Didn't see anything obvious like blown hoses or belts. I'm gonna look again now that she's home.

EDIT: I do not know if the check engine light comes on. The temp light definitely comes on. Didn't look for the engine light so I don't know. Also, the radiator fan DOES come on.

Ideas? Thanks Fellas.

 

Pressure test the system. See if anything interesting happens.

 

I have nothing to pressure test with.

 

They DO have cooling system pressure testers at places like AutoZone on the Rent-A-Tool or Loan-A-Tool program. Check your big box auto parts store locally and see if they do. Yah, that's $250 out, but you get it back when you return it.

If not, well, they're not really that much ... as low as $45 to up to $250 on Amazon, similar range on eBay.

Also check the pawn shops in town if you want one to keep.

RwP

 

The idea I had as I read it was to take the temp of the hoses and the water with a point and shoot laser temp gauge. I got one at home despot for $20.
I know the autozone pressure test kit which is big enough you'd think it would do any vehicle ever made has nothing in it that fits a 94 Dakota radiator cap. Its a RA replacement rad so maybe that has an effect but I doubt it since the caps I buy for a 94 fit.
Anyway I had the same problem with my Ram 50 and it turned out an Oreilly's had a pressure test kit with a fitting that fit on it. So if you go that route don't quit trying until you run out of parts places to try. :-)

 

I found the problem. The cheap plastic POS coolant filler neck was cracked. Cheap crap! Ordered a new part off Amazon for $14. I don't usually like ordering non-OEM but the dealer wants $85 for a new part. I'll take my chances.

Yes, a pressure test would have found that. I discovered it when I filled the radiator and it leaked out the neck. I was tipped off when I drained the radiator and got only a pint (reservoir was full). Knew it had to be leaking after that. Luckily it presented itself without a pressure test. I'd rather be lucky than good.