Truck started running hot...again
Professional
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 170
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Just an update.
Yesterday when I drove it, got home, popped the hood, touched the radiator cap it was cold. When I took it off I couldn't see any coolant in the top of the radiator. I did notice some bubbles in the overflow. Sometime after that, I took the radiator cap off, turned it on and let it heat up, I noticed air bubbles coming up in the radiator itself, and could see coolant. I've had air bubbles before.
Today I drove it to get some gas, and through a drive through for breakfast, probably 25 minutes total driving. I checked the radiator before I left, and after I got back home. Coolant was at the top of the radiator. Level in the overflow was back to half way between minimum and maximum. The temp gauge never got above the halfway point the whole time, even while sitting in the drive through.
I'm thinking somehow, somewhere, it's getting air in the lines. The air builds up to where the coolant can't get through, or at least not through it good enough. Then when I get the air bubbles coming out of it, it's bleeding the air out of the lines, and it's fine again, for awhile.
Yesterday when I drove it, got home, popped the hood, touched the radiator cap it was cold. When I took it off I couldn't see any coolant in the top of the radiator. I did notice some bubbles in the overflow. Sometime after that, I took the radiator cap off, turned it on and let it heat up, I noticed air bubbles coming up in the radiator itself, and could see coolant. I've had air bubbles before.
Today I drove it to get some gas, and through a drive through for breakfast, probably 25 minutes total driving. I checked the radiator before I left, and after I got back home. Coolant was at the top of the radiator. Level in the overflow was back to half way between minimum and maximum. The temp gauge never got above the halfway point the whole time, even while sitting in the drive through.
I'm thinking somehow, somewhere, it's getting air in the lines. The air builds up to where the coolant can't get through, or at least not through it good enough. Then when I get the air bubbles coming out of it, it's bleeding the air out of the lines, and it's fine again, for awhile.
Are you needing to add coolant at all?
Reason i ask is because if it is going into the engine via intake or head gaskets then it can work both ways as far as putting coolant into the engine, and also pushing air into the coolant lines. Air bubbles in your engine coolant passages can be a big deal. Perhaps check all your spark plugs and see what they look like.
Remember, a bad gasket doesn't mean it's going to leak onto the engine or onto your floor, it can leak into the engine instead.
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Professional
Joined: Nov 2007
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Not having to add any coolant. Just had the oil changed this morning. They didn't mention coolant in the oil. I've had that problem with a previous truck, so I know what it looks like. Also no oil in the coolant either. It's nice and green. Had the plugs changed once before. I think 50k miles ago.
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Professional
Joined: Nov 2007
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Nope. I've had it since it had 18k on it.
Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 528
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From: Malvern, Pa.
All the advise given so far is correct. They all could play a toll in the running hot. If you are positive you are not adding any anti freeze, I would say the heads are good.
You have to remove the water pump to see if it is in good working order. The best way that I have found to burp this cooling system is to put the front end up in the air. Either jack it up high or find a very steep hill. It is better if the left front is slightly higher than the right front. Try to burp the air out then. Make sure you have the heat on too.
It sounds to me like you have a clogged radiator. I did see you replaced it within the last year. If this is not a factory radiator there is a good chance it's the wrong one. You will find that in 2005 dodge has 3 radiators listed for that truck. I found that the after market ones only show 1 listing. This bit me in the behind with similar problems as yours.
If these two things don't work I would strongly recommend replacing the heads with new not rebuilt ones. The aluminum heads even when magnafluxed hide cracks.
Good luck
You have to remove the water pump to see if it is in good working order. The best way that I have found to burp this cooling system is to put the front end up in the air. Either jack it up high or find a very steep hill. It is better if the left front is slightly higher than the right front. Try to burp the air out then. Make sure you have the heat on too.
It sounds to me like you have a clogged radiator. I did see you replaced it within the last year. If this is not a factory radiator there is a good chance it's the wrong one. You will find that in 2005 dodge has 3 radiators listed for that truck. I found that the after market ones only show 1 listing. This bit me in the behind with similar problems as yours.
If these two things don't work I would strongly recommend replacing the heads with new not rebuilt ones. The aluminum heads even when magnafluxed hide cracks.
Good luck
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Professional
Joined: Nov 2007
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I've driven it for the last three days, almost 100 miles each day, without a problem.
I did have the problem before I replaced the radiator. That was the reason why the radiator was replaced. I've, apparently, replaced both a good radiator and good thermostat trying to solve this problem, to no avail.
At least I have figured out that the problem is air getting into the system somewhere. When this first started last year, the first thing the shop I took it to did was either tighten or replace, I've forgotten which, one of the hoses. It got better for awhile, then started up again. I wonder if one of the hoses has a gap where it connects to the engine or radiator, and that's letting air get into the line.
I check my fluids every weekend, I'll just add burping the radiator to the check list. It won't take more than a few minutes.
I did have the problem before I replaced the radiator. That was the reason why the radiator was replaced. I've, apparently, replaced both a good radiator and good thermostat trying to solve this problem, to no avail.
At least I have figured out that the problem is air getting into the system somewhere. When this first started last year, the first thing the shop I took it to did was either tighten or replace, I've forgotten which, one of the hoses. It got better for awhile, then started up again. I wonder if one of the hoses has a gap where it connects to the engine or radiator, and that's letting air get into the line.
I check my fluids every weekend, I'll just add burping the radiator to the check list. It won't take more than a few minutes.
Professional
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
I've driven it for the last three days, almost 100 miles each day, without a problem.
I did have the problem before I replaced the radiator. That was the reason why the radiator was replaced. I've, apparently, replaced both a good radiator and good thermostat trying to solve this problem, to no avail.
At least I have figured out that the problem is air getting into the system somewhere. When this first started last year, the first thing the shop I took it to did was either tighten or replace, I've forgotten which, one of the hoses. It got better for awhile, then started up again. I wonder if one of the hoses has a gap where it connects to the engine or radiator, and that's letting air get into the line.
I check my fluids every weekend, I'll just add burping the radiator to the check list. It won't take more than a few minutes.
I did have the problem before I replaced the radiator. That was the reason why the radiator was replaced. I've, apparently, replaced both a good radiator and good thermostat trying to solve this problem, to no avail.
At least I have figured out that the problem is air getting into the system somewhere. When this first started last year, the first thing the shop I took it to did was either tighten or replace, I've forgotten which, one of the hoses. It got better for awhile, then started up again. I wonder if one of the hoses has a gap where it connects to the engine or radiator, and that's letting air get into the line.
I check my fluids every weekend, I'll just add burping the radiator to the check list. It won't take more than a few minutes.
A pressurized air source would be the intake of the engine. I really don't know what to tell ya other than that man... this is a real pain, I'm sure.