My 2002 Dodge Ram 4.7l 1500 quad cab 4x4 is still overheating here is what i have gathered
1. only overheats with the thermostat in have replaced that several times
2. the top hose is hot and bottom is cold
3. coolant is coming back into the radiator which is new
4. Replace the cap
5. Fan clutch kicks on i dont know how much faster its suppose to spin but it goes faster then when it is cold
6. The engine will steadily just overheat even at an idle it will get hot
7. Have replaced head gaskets the first time it got hot also temp sending unit
8. The heat had stop working about 6 months ago but i believe that is a separate issue as the a/c works fine

 

you need to flush the heater core.. it sounds like it's clogged up, and it is absolutely needed to move that h20 around.. or, totally bypassed.. either, or..

is there pressure on the top hose?

is the 'stat in right? spring should be inside cavity, the 'point' toward you..

have you burped it good? let it run with the cap off, adding coolant as needed..

 

the stat is in correct as you describe and there is pressure on the top hose as it is hot as stated before

 

I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, but hot and under pressure aren't the same.. when it's at operating temp, and you squeeze the top hose- can you feel the juice in it?

 

yes when i squeeze the top hose there is coolant inside of it going through

 

wait a second.. it only overheats with the 'stat in it?

did you test the stat to make sure it works? I'd guess at least one in five are bad right out of the box.. If it only does it with the stat in- it's simply gotta be the stat..

set a pot on of water on the stove- set it to boil with the 'stat in it.. watch it.. when small bubbles start rising in little columns, the stat should be opening.. pull it out with a fork and it should close.. I'd rec you do this several cycles to make sure it's not a 'binder', which means it gets stuck either open or closed..

a lot of folks drill tiny holes in the valve.. one at 12 and one at 6 o'clock.. or sometimes just one.. either way, it dispels air faster that way and promotes burping easier..

air in your system can account for the coolant coming back into the rad as you stated..

 

i have done this test with a pot of water as i have bought 4 or 5 thermostats from different places thinking that was the problem i will try to drill holes in it maybe that will help it.