FYI - My husband does not computer and I do not speak Car and Driver so please bear with me...

We have a 2004, 1500 Ram 4.7 liter 2x2 and suddenly it has began to overheat. The problem did not start until we hit near triple digit days this summer. The problem is also more dominant when we use the AC, but still exists even when it's off. My husband has changed the radiator cap, flushed the coolant system and has replaced the thermostat.... still having issues with overheating. Reading through the forum, this seems to be a common problem among the 2004 1500 series. Does anyone know if Dodge has issued any kind of recalls or has anyone found a solution for this problem?

 

Did you have to replace the water pump also when you did this, or did you just flush the three times with the water and cleaner and then refill with the coolant? We are still having the issues with overheating. Thanks!

 

The water pump doesn't have to be replaced unless you feel there is something mechanically wrong with it, but if you are already at high miles, it might not be a bad idea, since the cooling system is already drained

 

Thanks @GoneFishin! The hubby is gonna give the flush with the cool water and the cleaner a go tonight! He has somewhere around 75000 - 80000 miles on the truck, so he may just go ahead and replace the pump while he is at it. We really appreciate your help! It's odd how this seems to be a common problem with the 04 Ram series.... but keep your fingers crossed and we'll pray that this does the trick!

 

Actually,

There are 2 chemical cleaners that should be used for a full cleaning

One is acid based using phosphoric and/or oxalic acid (both are very slow and mild) that is used to attack scale

The other side of the spectrum Sodium Metasylicat---I think I spelled that right---
is used as a surfactant to loosen and suspend sludge.

The cleaners that are found at the autoshops utilize these as the primary ingredients.

Each cleaning should be done separately, with a coolwater flush in between, and just follow the individual cleaning instructions------just don't attempt to do them together-----what a mess, and most likely, nothing accomplished.

You can expect them to take a few hours to complete.

 

Ok, I just saw your last post Gone Fishin, he has picked up the Sodium based cleaner.... Im going to go out and pick up the acid based one so he can do both. Does it matter what order you go in? Acid first then Sodium, or Sodium then Acid? Thanks for all of your help, it is greatly appreciated!

 

I don't really think it would matter, but I guess, if you get technical, I would do the acid based one first, this way, when you apply the sodium based, any sludge you didn't get laying in the bottom, you pick it up the second time through after the descaling.

I did this to mine a few years ago, when I changed the antifreeze--couldn'd believe how much stuf came out, even after I flushed initially until I got clean water out of it. It was even more amazing about how much better the heater worked

Just tell Huuby to take his time, do it right, follow instructions.

 

tons of threads on here about over heating and 4.7s

 

Yah, I don't understand why the hemi with aluminum heads doesn't have the same problems as the 4.7, unless perhaps they designed the heat dissipating aspects of the various engine surfaces closer to the bone than the hemi. Perhaps they're running the water jackets closer to the heat source (thinner walls) and causes more scaling in the cooling system.
Its fairly apparent that maintenance of the cooling system is extremely critical long term in these.

bthurley----I forgot to mention, that the new antifreeze MUST be mixed with distilled water, unless you buy the premixed stuff-----absolutely NO TAP WATER, it will cause long term effects as well as lower heat absorption characteristics---this comes from the factory service manual (FSM) The cooling system may need to be burped a few times too to get all the air out, so don't be afraid to buy a little extra

Sorry I didn't mention all this sooner, you may have avoided an extra trip to the store

 

I believe the issue with the 4.7 is the proximity of the water jackets to the cylinders.
Its also why an overheat usually takes a head gasket out too.