Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









Search Auto Parts

Hot Dodge


  Email This Post



sandiwod
Novice

Jan 3, 2012, 4:30 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1336 views)
Hot Dodge Sign In

Have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 stretch cab 5.1 liter with 100,000 miles. Started having heater problems last year.Everything ran allright just no heat then developed leak at top right.Fixed that with JB weld now have over heating. I keep the cap loose and add water every other day but now I notice my reservoir is full and doesn't go down and also the temperature gauge stays just over 200 and doesn't move.It runs ok but just have to add water.Mad


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Jan 3, 2012, 4:42 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1328 views)
Re: Hot Dodge Sign In

You said it developed a leak at top right. The top right of what? If you have to add more coolant regularly it is leaking somewhere and you need to pressure test it to find out where the leak is coming from. I wouldn't trust JB Weld to hold for you. That stuff usually is just enough to get home and sometimes won't even last that long. Check your heater core for restrictions too. The lack of heat could be a separate issue or could be tied into this problem. You need to resolve this soon and get the coolant back to a 50/50 mix, not just water, before some other expensive problems rear their ugly heads.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 3, 2012, 4:55 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1324 views)
Re: Hot Dodge Sign In

If it's the radiator that you tried to patch, you can forget that. It will not work. You need to replace the radiator ASAP before it costs you a motor.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 3, 2012, 6:05 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1294 views)
Re: Hot Dodge Sign In

JB weld the radiator? What a lot of people don't realize is that aluminium radiators don't last for ever. They usually corrode from the inside out unless the side tank cracks or a tank seals go. The corrosion inside the radiator tubes also inhibit the transfer of heat from the coolant to the atmosphere. The radiator might look perfectly fine on the outside, but doesn't do a very good job of getting the heat out.

You really need to can the radiator if you JB welded it, clean the bugs and junk out of the condenser, replace any bad hoses, flush out the coolant system, clean out the reservoir, replace the thermostat with the correct application, and fill the system with water only. Then pressure test the system and check for leaks. If you don't have any leaks, drain the water out and refill with 50/50 coolant, and put a new cap on. Make sure the fan clutch is engaging at the right temperature and then see how it works out.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 3, 2012, 6:16 PM)






  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap