2nd gen running hot and coolant lost.

[Sparrow2001]

First time posting on a forum so have mercy lol. Buddy of mine has an 01 dodge 5spd 2wd thats recently bin running hot when driven empty and short distances(he had to limp it home driving under 1500rpm), almost to the point of over heating. He also noticed it was low on coolant although he couldn't find any leaks anywhere. So he thinks it might be a possible head gasket problem, I was thinking the running hot might be a faulty thermostate but then again a thermostate not opening wouldn't explain coolant lost.....so maybe he just can't find the leak or.....not really sure lol. He didn't say anything about white smoke when driveing, there isn't any smoke or leaks that he can see in the engine bay, and the oil and coolant both look normal. What other things causes these symtoms? Let me know your thoughts thanks.

 

Btw thermostat was replaced recently and coolant was flushed not very long ago. 

[dripley]

Likely the radiator is clogged up with crud on the outside. If the crankcase vent still goes out the front thru the puke bottle the exterior of the radiator is likely clogged with oil and dirt. Very hard to see from a visual inspection under the hood. The puke bottle is easy to see between the radiator and the front of the engine.

Edited July 23, 2018 by dripley

[Mopar1973Man]

29 minutes ago, Sparrow2001 said:

First time posting on a forum so have mercy lol.

 

Welcome to the family. You'll find this is the friendliest forum you'll ever find. We don't bite! We might slobber on you looking at all the modification in your truck. 

 

As for overheating and coolant loss. First off I would start with a cold engine and get a coolant system test and pump up 14-16 PSI on the system and watch and see if the pressure falls. While its pumped up let it sit awhile and see if anything starts dripping on the floor of the shop. 

 

Quick story I could smell coolant on my 1996 Dodge and never see any leaks. Always adding quart of coolant here and there. One day I hooked up the pressure tester on a cold engine and left it for a few hours. 2 Hours later I find a small puddle on the floor. I followed the wet trail back to the source and found the intake manifold gasket failed. Basically got a gasket kit and replaced it and problem solved. 

 

 

[Sparrow2001]

14 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Welcome to the family. You'll find this is the friendliest forum you'll ever find. We don't bite! We might slobber on you looking at all the modification in your truck. 

Greatly appretiated!! As far as mods go there are plans set in motion..

14 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

As for overheating and coolant loss. First off I would start with a cold engine and get a coolant system test and pump up 14-16 PSI on the system and watch and see if the pressure falls. While its pumped up let it sit awhile and see if anything starts dripping on the floor of the shop. 

Are those coolant test systems readily availible at auto parts stores or is that something I would need to order? Also are there brands that i need to be aware of? 

15 hours ago, dripley said:

Likely the radiator is clogged up with crud on the outside. If the crankcase vent still goes out the front thru the puke bottle the exterior of the radiator is likely clogged with oil and dirt. Very hard to see from a visual inspection under the hood. The puke bottle is easy to see between the radiator and the front of the engine.

Thanks!. I'll take a look, any recomendations as far as viewing?....

[dripley]

33 minutes ago, Sparrow2001 said:

 

Thanks!. I'll take a look, any recomendations as far as viewing?....

It is just difficult to see it. If the puke bottle is still hanging on the front of the engine it is most likely clogged. The pictures are what you are looking for. The first second is the engine side and the other is the front. While this ain't pretty, I have seen a lot worse on here.

Edited July 23, 2018 by dripley

[IBMobile]

51 minutes ago, Sparrow2001 said:

 Also are there brands that i need to be aware of? 

This is a cooling system and radiator cap tester that I use.  It's heavy duty and will last for years and years. Ebay has them for a few $ less.

https://www.jbtoolsales.com/Stant-12270-New-Cooling-System-Cap-Tester/

 

53 minutes ago, Sparrow2001 said:

any recomendations as far as viewing?...

Also check the heater core inside the cab.

[Mopar1973Man]

6 minutes ago, IBMobile said:

Also check the heater core inside the cab.

 

If you going to do that it a full day job of pulling the HVAC case but most likely the evaporator will be plugged with trash. (air wise) but the heater core will most likely be scale build up if the coolant has been change in a timely schedule. 

 

 

I just updated this article... 350k mile coolant flush.

 

[Sparrow2001]

Thanks guys!! So awesome to have such a wealth of info at my finger tips! Will let you know how it turns out. 

[dripley]

50 minutes ago, Sparrow2001 said:

Thanks guys!! So awesome to have such a wealth of info at my finger tips! Will let you know how it turns out. 

It is a great place. The truck got me thru the first 217k miles. This place got me thru the next 231k miles.

Edited July 24, 2018 by dripley