Hello Everyone and Thank You for taking the time to read this. New to this forum but have been internet searching for a while in hopes of figuring out why my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L gets hot. Now, that can mean many things, to some, and mind you I do live in a very warm climate where summer temps run 110F for 3 months straight. Now with that in mind, let me tell you what is going on.

First let me tell you what has been replaced: Radiator, Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses, Water Pump, Cooling Fan assembly, Cool Fan Control Module, Coolant Temp Sensor, Thermostat and Radiator Cap.

Problem, when idling for 15 min + (While waiting for the kids to come out of school, A/C is on full blast) the car goes about 90% up on the coolant gauge. Turning the A/C off does help but not eliminate the problem.

When driving up a hill, 6% grade freeway car pulls fine up the hill, get about half way up, gets about 90% up on the gauge to the point where your getting worried, so A/C turned off, speed dropped to about 50MPH and it will go down enough to get off the freeway to turn around and go home.

It boggles the mind because everything I can think of has been replaced cooling system wise. I do the best I can to hose off the condesor if there were bugs or anything blocking airflow, nothing significant there, cooling fans are kicking on and off, coolant level is normal, I just dont get it.

I did have a new Radiator installed, but I did not know if mine came with the HD radiator or not? The radiator in it now cost about $180 and I know the HD one costs like $380 so I know its not the HD one, but how do I know if my Van came with an HD radiator or not? (I didn't buy this van new). Is there that much more cooling capacity in the HD radiator?

I was thinking of going with an HD radiator, but dont want to spend the additional $380 plus tax and shipping if it wont make that much of a difference?

Anyway, I am open to suggestions. Thank You Guys and Gals...


Jeff

 

Does coolant level change? (is there a coolant loss?) Has this engine ever been severely overheated?

 

The coolant reservoir used to lose fluid and it used to have bubbles in it when I would turn it off I suspected a blown head gasket initially but after replacing the thermostat the bubbles in the reservoir stopped and the reservoir to my knowledge does not have a crack in it. the thermostat was broken so that was replaced and I don't see it losing coolant. I would suspect a head gasket problem butt it runs very well. No loss of power or anything. I'm not really sure how I could check for a head gasket without taking the heads off but to my knowledge it's never been severely hot.

 

Was hoping someone could help out with this issue? No thoughts anyone? I believe suspected Head Gasket? Oil looks good, nothing odd looking with the coolant either. Next oil change I can do an oil analysis and see if there is coolant in the oil.

No other ideas folks?


Jeff

 

You could have a combustion leak test (block test). This would tell if gases are present in the coolant. Have it done or buy the tester from Amazon, etc.

 

Is it possible your gauge is reading wrong?
Did you get a bad/wrong coolant temp sensor?
Was it getting warm before swapping in the new parts?

Never assume parts you buy are good, or the right part, even if they seem to fit.

 

Any luck Silver Bullet? Your scenario is practically identical to mine. I was hoping to hear something better than "replace head gasket."