This is on a 2001 Dakota 3.9V6 automatic with approximately 142,000 miles that started out overheating due to radiator leaking and blowing steam. Since then I've replaced the radiator, electric fan, 180 degree thermostat, clutch van, hoses, and of course antifreeze mix. The truck takes the usual time to get to normal temp; however, gradually runs hot and continue into the red indicator with the current temperature outside of 50 degrees. The interior has no heat even trying all settings even defrost and a/c. I don't have a clue what to check out next please advise.
Thank you,
Mike

 

Two things water pump is bad and the heater core needs a good flush out.

Their are other possible problems

With everything you replaced Im surprised you didn't replace it with the rad out it was easy.

 

I did also replace the water pump, it was very late when I made the post and just forgot to include it. I also back flushed the heater core; but, I didn't see much gunk come out of it. I think I will flush the entire cooling
system and see if that works because I looked through my repairs and can't fine where I had flushed it. Thank you for your response and have a great day!

 

The new pump could be bad china crap is china crap new doesn't mean that its good.

 

Could be air locked also.

 

I would vote that it's air locked, or the thermostat is failed closed.

Do the upper and lower radiator hoses get warm when it overheats?

I always drill a couple small holes in the thermostat to allow the system to burp properly.

 

Not to be a downer dodgedartmike but have you tried a thing called youtube amazing place for the diy mechanic looking to save $$$. Do some research on what other cars/trucks use the same engine and search.

Web site https://www.allpar.com/trucks/dakota-1997.html will tell you much about the Dakota.

Very helpful

 

Thank you I will check this out. I found out my problem was air in the radiator hose and once I got it out the truck remained cool and my heat returned to the inside. I've never ran into that problem in my past.
Take care and thanks again for your response to my situation.
Mike