Im no mechanic but when the lower rad hose went i replaced it. I replaced the anti freeze and it was still overheating, i forgot to replace the thermostat so i did that today but after about 5 miles the check gauges light comes on because its running hot. i dont want to take the truck in so any ideas what could be wrong are welcome, i am not very experianced and dont know a whole lot about mechanics... btw its an 02 dakota, sxt, 2wd v6 3.9l auto

 

hmm, maybe a bad coolant pump. or you have a bad rad which is clogged up.. I presume you did a flush? Check your rad, if you see brown chunks floating around it may have a clogged part of the system i had mine clog the heater core once...

 

well i didnt know exactly what i was doin, there was no fluid in it after the hose broke had to have it towed home, so did i add the coolant wrong?

 

do a radiator/coolant flush which should clean everything out, if you are still having trouble i would take it in

 

thanks for all the help, i went out and ran it and then drove it to the gas station and it got hot at first but then cooled down, is it possible i just had an air gap? i was also told my water pump could be goin out, i will be drivin it a little bit farther tonight and will post if i am still havin problems

 

I had random overheating issues last year and I was just REAL low on coolant. Id do the flush and just double check the coolant level after wards.

Remember to check the coolant when the motor is idling and at operating temp.

 

well i have put about 100 miles on it and it hasnt even went past 1/3 so i think it was jsust an air gap.

 

Check your water/coolant pump, I have a 99 3.9L ext cab sport and I have had like 5 water pumps since I have had the truck, Anytime its over heated its been a bad water pump.