Alright posted a few times and still running warm. So here is what I have done.

Flush system
new water pump
new 180 degree thermostat
New hoses
put back on clutch fan
New cap

And it is still running 205 210. Look and can not see any leaks. Other day turn A/C on it overheated out the overflow.So I am stuck.Also can not run air conditioner overheats to 220 or more.

 

How old is the rad sometimes they get partly plugged up with age or if you put a new one in within the last year or so you got a bad rebuilt rad I have seen it a few times new rebuilt rads partly plugged up it happens.

Don’t know how you would test that?

What engine do you have?

What oil do you use a good synthetic could cool things down?

Do you have all the stock shrouding?

 

I think it’s the rad for it to get that hot and overflow sounds like my friends car put a new rad in and it just overheated all the time drove them crazy trying to determine what was wrong till I said It had to be the rad so we took the rad back to the place they got it exchanged it installed it and no more problems.

Bad new rad

I got an Idea how are your hoses? Are you using any cheap accordion type hoses maybe pull them off and inspect the hoses maybe something is clogging a hose. Those cheap accordion type hoses can close up on you as you drive and restrict water flow only use the stock hoses that are solid and molded for your Dakota.


Do not use this kind of hose

 

I agree, he needs to also make sure that the fan clutch is working.. he should hear it when its hot out sound like a jet plane taking off when he starts from Idle; if he does not hear it his clutch is toast.. but also sitting idle the clutch wont keep you from 210.. even if it is working.. Electric fan would be needed for that at idle.

And I agree on the New Rad.. even if not plugged if the core is saturated by build up its not going to disperse the heat that well and cause over heating as well, and if the engine ports are clogged; no flow= no disbursement of heat, a cracked rad will also create overheating.. like it did in my Wife's liberty..

Also a bad Water pump as well could cause it.

And that hose looks like something off my Shop vac LOL!

 

It has a 4.7. And the hoses are good ,they do not look like that. Could the Radiator be bad? When I flushed it came out clean.Still has shroud on it.Use Prestone antifrezze.

If I had to replace the rad what would be a good replacement?

 

Im not sure if a shop has any test to see if your rad is a bit clogged or not they will probably say new rad just to make a sale damn shops.

Check out your local rad shop or auto store and ask them for a high quality rad and tell them whats going on over heating there are better rad's than stock.

Check rockauto.com see what they have for your year of Dakota

Are you sure you dont have a bad fan or low performing fan meaning old how old is the rad?

 

is the bottom hose collapsing under suction? they should have a spring in it.

 

Have no idea how old rad is. Clutch fan is bad ,but I wired the e-fan direct and still running hot so I have kinda rule out replacing fan. Have check both hoses seem to be fine.

 

I would just hate to see you replace the rad only to have the same problem.

Even if your rad was flushed and you didn’t see anything come out doesn’t mean you don’t have a rad clog or two or three.

I do think a good rad shop has a way to check if your rad is clogged I think you should call around and ask them.

I believe they put some kind of pressure test on it disconnected from the system to see how it flows from one side to the other.

 

A good radiator shop can flow test your radiator. They can also flush just the radiator, boil it out, or repair it as necessary.