I just recently aquired a used 2002 Neon SXT with 79,000 miles. I traded a gas-smelling, no ac working 93 Chevy S10. The car looks well and I like it. I have drvien a lot of Neons while traveling (rentals) and I always enjoyed driving them as there were good on gas and nimble.

I had the car a week and was driving from N Alabama to Florida and it overheated, I turn it off and let it cool then crept to a dealer. They were great and got me in quick. Stated it was the thermostat and replaced it.

The car still runs warm (not in the red) then cools after shutting off the AC. When parking and shutting the car offafter running warm, I can hear bubbling from the coolant resivoir.

What else could be the problem? (answers I've heard so far flush the system,water pump, heater core, heater coil or head gasket.)

PS Coolant level seems OK, doesn't/hasn't boiled over onto engine or gound.

 

If your not losing any coolant, its not a blown headgasket. If the A/C blows cold air then its probably not the waterpump...my guess is they installed the thermostat wrong or you got a defective unit.

 

Thanks for the help, I have to have it checked again($$$$$)

 

No on the thermostat being defective, no oil in coolant/coolant in oil, fans working ok, so anyone else got a possible solution??????

 

Well...you not losing coolant, you dont have any mixed coolant/oil, your thermostat is good, so about the only other thing I could recommend is checking the coolant temperature sensor that is plugged in on the right side of the block just below the cylinder head. Now your positive your not losing ANY coolant right?

 

No, there is no coolant loss. My brother an old school mechanic, told me about some coolant additive that is for big rigs. He stated that it could be used in cars as well. It's called BTE coolant system treatment. He told me to wait until car is dead cold (1st thing in the AM), disconnect the radiator hose to drain off some fluid then add it directly to the radiator. Did that yesterday morning, have to wait until I am working an inspection route (I am a home inspector) to see if it runs warm again. I basically have to run the car constantly on my route (8-10 hrs) to help keep my laptop cool.

 

After of week of driving 300+ miles a day, no overheating problems since I added the BTE. Keeping my fingers crossed as I am about to drive from North Alabama to Mobile.

 

Glad to hear your not having any problems!

 

aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

OVERHEATING RETURNED ON MY TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO TAKE IT IN TO DODGE DEALER!!!!!!!!

still not loosing coolant - no coolant in oil/vice versa!

 

Is the engine actually overheating or is it just the gauge saying its overheating?