Last couple of times I've driven my Charger, the temp gauge is all over the place. Normally I don't go over 195* at all. But the last two times it's gone all the way to triggering the overheating light, then dropping all the way back down to 180* WTF???? What would be causing this?? And it's not during stop-n-go traffic either. It's while cruising. It's NEVER done this before, it's always been very steady at 195*. Is this a thermostat issue, a coolant issue, or a radiator issue?? Thanks for any help.
Could be several issues. 1) Check the high speed fan. Could be going bad? 2) T-Stat could be sticking? 3) Could have an air pocket in the cooling? Need to burp... 4) Low on Coolant?
Chances are your thermostat is no good.....Change it.If it still does it look into the water pump.....Our water pump has a plastic impeller and the blades sometimes break off.
So you added some coolant then you started having the over heating issue? If this is the case, then you likely have an air pocket. To burp the system.. The correct way is to take the set screw out of the water pump (right side).
Chase, I may be coming down to B-ham on Wednesday. I will know for sure tomorrow, if I am coming, I can swing by a take a look. I can bring a new t-stat with me to try out also.
Gotcha. Noted. Thank you sir. No worries. I'm working all day, and will be driving the Jeep. Thanks though, nice gesture bro.
No. The coolant was refilled all the way back when I got my tranny installed over 4 months ago. And I drained it when it was overfilled back then. Haven't touched it since. Thanks for the advice on "burping" lol. Looks like I'm buying a new thermostat. I have a JET t-stat right now, MAYBE has 10,000 miles on it. Should I re-buy the same one????
check the fan's first. It's FREE. lol When the temps are above your high speed fan setting, listen to see if they kick on. They are loud and noticeable.
I would expect that to be more of a steady state type of thing. Chase said steady cruising and it was going all the way up and down. Bubble sort of the same but better chance there. I'm betting on a bad/sticking t-stat with Erik. I wouldn't expect the broken impellor to fluctuate either. Seems like we're missing an opportunity here. We should have a paramutual window in the arcade where someone can make book on these things. :grin: Haha, then the person with the problem wouldn't even have to read the thread. Just wait for some amount of action and trouble shoot in order of the odd.
go back and read post 2, Dave. lol T-stat is on my list of possibles, but I am merely suggesting easy checks to rule out... And yes, when my HS fans went out they intermittently worked.
Thanks fellas!! I'll troubleshoot a little more over the next couple of days and narrow it down. How much is it to replace my fans?? Anyone know????
Not much Chase. Couple hundred? More if you have them do it for you at the boutique shop. You could do this one. There are how-to's with pics and everything. Probably take you 2 or 3 hours including some peripheral engine bay polishing while you're in there.
chase - i am willing to bet your t-stat took a crap. if you have not opened the system for awhile and it suddenly started acting up, then i would doubt it be a air lock. the fans could be an issue, but from what you describe, it would be the high speed. go to this link for the fan assembly if you actually need one. i have this same unit and it is a dead nut on replacement for the entire stock set up. http://www.go-part.com/0506-dodge-magnum-radiator-cooling-assembly-p-10851.html also, check to see if you have a aux. relay on the fan shroud. look down at the fan assembly and look at where the wire harness plugs into he fan assembly. if you see a large relay attached there as well, check that first. as i found out, mine was burnt out and i really did not need the new fans!! now i have a spare assembly!! lol good luck buddy and let me know if you need any help!!
So the impellers in the waterpump is made of plastic? BMW had the same in 96 and 97 on their 2.8 liter sixes, when those brake the engine overheats, really quick!!! Happend to my brother, he noticed when the engine sezied on him, it happend to me, I noticed the temp needle going crazy, real fast! Saved the engine though... That is one thing I´m changing on my car. Back to topic, if your temperature slowly goes up to much and slowly goes down, I´ll bet my money on the thermostat, if it slowly goes up and rapidly goes down again, you´re likely to have an airpocket in the system. Bleeding the system isn´t hard, so that can always be done. Good morning everyone, christmas holiday rules! Fredrik:grin:
That's right!! I forgot you just did this!! Thanks a million dude. I'm gonna replace the t-stat first, then go from there. I'll let you know if anything further pops up! Gotcha. Thanks man.
