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Kat
Dodge Dakota
6/06/2001
09:19:24
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 Subject: 95 Runs Hot
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The truck runs hot when idling. We recently replaced the radiator and fan belt and put a high-temp thermostat in and the problem is still there.
The former owner put Barsleak (?) in the radiator, and the problem started happening after the first radiator flush we did (Fall 2000).
I had also unknowingly run the heater and the A/C at the same time during that period (Dec 2000) and drove it for a few hours before I realized they were both on.
Any help is appreciated! - Kat
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
6/13/2001
01:47:33
|  RE: 95 Runs Hot
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How hot, approx.?? i don't have air on mine, and a couple of times, i've had the gauge hit around teh '210' mark, but goes right back down as the engine heats up. i've got a '00 v6, 5 speed, no air. what're your specs?
Mike
Portland/La Grande, OR
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Kat
Dodge Dakota
6/13/2001
08:22:44
|  RE: 95 Runs Hot
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My Dakota is a '95, stick shift 3.9L V6 with A/C. The needle goes all the way to "H" when I'm waiting at a light, but when I'm driving again it goes back down halfway between the C and the H. Could the gauge be broken? I'm also hesitant about using the A/C but with hot weather coming soon, I know I'll need it.
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dirtydak
Dodge Dakota
6/20/2001
11:18:28
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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Not that this post will answer your question but running the a/c and heat at the same time will not hurt anything. Infact it is actually a good practice to do during the winter about once a week. This will keep you a/c charged up.
It sounds like you fan is not working. If it heats up when sitting but cools when going down the road then air isn't getting moved through the radiator to cool it. If it is the fan then I would consider have the fan replaced with an electric fan. There are more reliable and will increase power from less drag.
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Kat
Dodge Dakota
6/21/2001
10:18:05
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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I had a hobby mechanic look at it yesterday and he said it's leaking from the water pump and I should put a new gasket on. That should solve it, unless the water pump is warped.
It's leaking what appears to be coolant, but when I go to refill the reservoir, it's at a good level.
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Jason Butler
Dodge Dakota
6/22/2001
00:15:51
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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A little leak is never a good leak, fix it as soon as possible. I had a '89 Dakota 4x4 Sport, that left me stranded in down town St. Louis because the water pump went out. Your truck should not over heat at a stand still unless the fan is not working as good as it should. That stop leak that the pre. owner put in, probley went though the water pump and into the lower motor which mite of made your water pump gum up which in turn make your fan run slower at an idle.
Check that out. Hope I helped.
Thanks,
Jason
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Kat
Dodge Dakota
7/02/2001
16:16:18
|  RE: 95 Runs Hot - FIXED
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HI! Thanks, everyone. We put a new water pump in and the truck seems to be running at normal temperature now. I took a look at the old water pump and it was very rusted/corroded looking.
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G Socling
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2002
12:50:27
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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I have the same exact truck ('95, stick shift 3.9L V6 with A/C, 4x4 SLT Extended Cab) with a very similar problem. The coolant leaks from the water pump.
Some thing I have noticed is that the level in the reservoir doesn't have anything to do with the actual amount of coolant in the system. My radiator was so empty that the pump lost its prime, but the reservoir was half full (between add and hot).
I drove it home one day and the temperature pegged itself on the way home (luckily it is only a 2 mile drive! (and I use synthetic oil, didn't seem to break down)). The heater wasn't blowing heat, so I figured the coolant level was too low. I checked and saw that it was probably leaking out of the water pump. I added water to the system and verified the leak.
While looking I saw that road salt is eating away at the aluminum fins on my radiator. I would recommend to everyone that they wash it from the inside occassionally.
I checked prices on the pump. I was wondering how difficult it is to put the pump on. Is this something I should do myself? It doesn't look like it is difficult to get to.
Any advice would be really appreciated!
Thanks,
Garrett
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Kat
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/12/2002
10:20:03
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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It is easy to get to, but I'd recommend getting a gasket scraper, as that was the hardest part - getting the old gasket off.
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C. morgan
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2002
10:55:32
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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Dodge 3.9, 5.2, 5.9, all have problems with the thermostat housing gaskets leaking , which the coolant trail runs down the right side of the timing cover gasket & block . Alot of times it is mistaking for a timing cover gasket leak. replacement of the thermostat housing gasket will cure the leak. As far as the water pump replacement job, it is not very hard at all. the acessory bracket can be left on the truck, just remove the seven bolts holding the water pump on. A wire wheel & drill works wonders on removal of the gasket. Hope this is helpful.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/12/2002
18:20:34
|  RE: 92 Dakota Runs Hot
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My 92 Dodge Dakota Runs all the way to the H when idling then goes down when driving. Recently had it painted. Mechanic said paint stopped up condensor for a/c and radiator. He "Said" he flushed cooling system and boiled out condensor. Also said he replaced thermostat but cant even tell bolts have been turned. I've had a lot a bad luck with this fast talking so called "Preacher" of a mechanic. Says to "Bring it back I'll check it won't Cost you a dime" Yah right he always charges me for something else. He also supossedly replaced the fan clutch 3 times, radiator cap, Special anti-freeze - to make it run cooler, and the list goes on and on. Her a chattering noise since I've owned it makes it sound like a deisel could it be the water pump? Truck has about 150,000 miles on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Garrett Socli
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/12/2002
23:53:08
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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Replacing the water pump was easy as pie. I took pictures throughout and will eventually post the experience with directions (since I couldn't find any directions anywhere and any job is easier when you can get some ideas ahead of time).
Chris : Number of things to check. First thing of course is ditch that crook of a mechanic...I am a one strike and your out sort of person when it comes to shady repair shops. And I am then very vocal to anyone who will listen about how little I think of such and such a shop, so please spread the word...
Haha about paint stopping up the condensor. Take a flashlight and shine it through the grill. If you see a coat of paint sealing up the fins, take the radiator and beat the painter with it... To have that effect (insulating so great that large quantities of air needed to be forced into the radiator from roadway speeds) the person who repainted your truck would probably have had to purposely sprayed into your radiator for a while to vover and seal it up.
You will always have some water flowing from convection, hot water flowing up out of the engine, into the radiator, cooling and dropping down to be taken up into the engine again.
What you can do to check is start your car with the radiator cap off. Watch the flow of water. The liquid level should be right up close to the radiator cap. If it is low, that is the first problem. With the layout of pipes into the radiator, you should be able to see the hot liquid flowing. Watch over time. Since the truck will be idling and get too hot, you should see when the thermostat opens (the flow should greatly increase). If your temperature gauge shows over half and the flow of water hasn't increased, the problem might be the thermostat. Of course, it could be that your water pump is so screwed up that it is barely working at all.
If you don't feel like replacing the thermostat yourself, take the truck to a shop and describe the problem. Ask them what might be the problem.
Or, check out that odd noise you have. Check for a leak at the bottom of your water pump, liquid dripping down (located at the center front front of the engine). It might be leaking onto your belt, which would add additional noise. Check out and try to find how well your fan is running. Is it well balanced and appear to be operating correctly? Is the water pump making odd clunking and other noises?
I am completly unqualified to be saying any of the above. Please take it all with a grain of salt. Hopefully someone with a little more experience and wisdom can give you addition support.
Garrett
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/13/2002
01:54:35
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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Thanks Garrett. I really appreciate your time.
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M. Simmons
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2002
10:13:24
| RE: 97 Runs Hot
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I've had similar problems with my 97 V8, SLT. Also gone through some of the same repairs--theromstat, flushing, fan clutch--still over heating. I'm now about to replace the water pump and then the radiator if the pump doesn't fix the problem.
I'm interested in knowing the difficulty of replacing the pump and radiator. Garret Socli indicated it was easy, so I'm hoping to find some tips on doing the job. MTS
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Garrett S
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/14/2002
10:43:01
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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M Simmons :
What I did first was buy one of those shop repair manuals for my truck.
Then, I slowly did everything it told me to do. Basically, the hardest part (I thought) was getting the fan off the engine...I needed a second set of hands to hold it still while I turned the nut. Putting everything back together took about 15 minutes (assuming you didn't forget anything heh!).
Once you get the cowl and fan out you have a LOT of room to work. Problem is knowing what nuts and bolts to touch and which to leave alone.
I'd suggest your first purchase would be a shop manual if you are serious about replacing those items yourself.
It's not that its easy, but there isn't anything really hard about it...except knowing what to do.
The shop manual had the basics. Not being too afraid of doing something that you have never done before helps.
Did you take your cap off and watch the truck warm up? You should see a (relative) flood of coolant whenever the thermostat opens, once the truck reaches operating temperatures. If you have a reduced flow, it could be a number of things, including your water pump and radiator.
I wouldn't suspect your radiator unless, when you removed the cap, it was seriously gunky in there, lots of orange deposits. Then, you might have a sludge coating on the inside of the pipes, slowing flow and reducing heat transfer. If your radiator looks clean on the inside, then perhaps it is your water pump?
Hope this helps you with your first steps,
Garrett
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Charles
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/26/2002
22:02:28
| Hot '95
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A lot of Chryslers have cooling problems. One Thing that helped my 95 Dakota run cooler was a stronger fan clutch. Also, Removing the fan blade and installing an electric fan helps it run cooler as well as boosts your HP.
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scumgriefvox
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/13/2003
21:16:44
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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I don't own a Dakota, but I have this same engine in my '95 van, and I'm having some problems. Maybe one of you can help. Here's the deal. A few weeks ago the water pump blew. I was on the highway, but had only been driving for about 10 minutes when I heard the lifters and pulled over. I replaced the water pump and then it got wierd. The engine began to build massive amounts of pressure in the coolant system. To the point that I could only drive about 20 miles before it had literally blown all of the coolant out of the radiator cap. I replaced the Thermostat, radiator cap and had the radiator boiled out. Still the same. So I came to the assumption that I must be building pressure from the cylindars. I tore the engine down, replaced the head gaskets etc, and put it back together. This actually made it worse. On top of that neither before nor after the rebuild did the engine ever smoke or have water in the oil. Yesterday I tore the engine down agian, thinking I screwed something up, just to find that I hadn't. I have checked and rechecked the new water pump to make sure that it is correct. I, my friends, the guys at the parts store, and all the mechanics we collectively know are stumped. The only option I have left is that the block is cracked, BUT again, there is no smoke, no water in the oil, and the cylindars show no signs of water ever in them. Thanks in advance if you can figure this out!
jason - scumgrief
jason@scumgrief.com
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Don Cochran
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/14/2003
21:45:40
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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I just purchased a 95 dakota 5 speed 4 cy. it started getting hot when comming to a stop after driving. I could gear down take off and it would cool down replaced therm. and flushed rad. am still having problem. don't see leak around pump but wondering if that is problem. Would like to see instructions on how to change pump. Please drop me an email if you have some.
Thank You
Don Cochran
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Don Cochran
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/14/2003
21:50:07
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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my email coach_cochran@hotmail.com
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Garrett
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2003
22:22:04
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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Hmm.
Sometimes it is hard to see a leak. You might notice your belt is squeaky a lot of times. This happens when a few drops manage to splash on the belt. Or, you can lay on your back with a flash light and look for a dark patch on the bottom of the pump.
Mine leaked for a long time before it failed. Shame I didn't realize what was going on, but lucky I managed to get home before she started blowing off coolant or cooking oil...
Basically, the only special tool you need to do the job is a big adjustable wrench (to get the fan off). You'll need the pump, the small aluminum tube that more likely than not won't come out of your old water pump, and it would be a good idea to replace the hoses while its all torn down.
Honestly, I had never done it before and it only took me an hour or two.
You will need a second set of hands for a minute when getting the fan off (seemed safer to me than wedging something in the blades to break the nut free and tighten it back down).
But, the first thing I would do is go down to your local auto parts store and pick up a shop manual. Mine was a Haynes, and it really helps to know what order stuff SHOULD come off, exactly which screws and bolts are located where (saves tons of time), etc etc.
G
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M. T. Simmons
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/15/2003
17:13:33
| RE: 95 Runs Hot
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I have a 97 V8 Magnum that did basically the same thing you are describing. After replacing the fan clutch, flushing repeatedly, replacing the radiator (it was totally plugged), we finally had to pull the water pump. Its impellors were totally eroded away. The only cooling was from comvection. Once the water pump was replaced, the problem was totally resolved. Now if I could just come up with a cheap, simple fix for the AC.
I had the work done by a mechanic, so I can't relay any tips on pulling the pump.
MTS
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