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Paul Eagleson
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2010
20:57:13
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 Subject: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Hey there,
I have a 2000 3.9L 5 speed Dakota. The truck always runs cool and when it's really cold outside it tends to be really cold inside!
I just back flushed the heater core (pretty clean) and dropped a new thermostat in the truck. I had quite a bit of heat when driving home but I was in a warm shop so the truck didn't start from super cold. The heat does taper off when I am at idle as well.
My shop told me that my fan clutch likely needed replacing because it is running constantly. I thought it always ran, but the speed of the fan was supposed to change.
Any help about where to go next would be greatly appreciated!!
Paul
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2010
06:56:51
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
What about your electric fan? Is it turning off and on as it should? I've been running my '00 QC 3.9 without the mechanical fan for years with no problems.
What temp tstat did you install?
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2010
08:30:59
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
The clutch fan DOES always turn, and its speed does vary depending on the viscosity of the fluid. I'd look at the possibility of a defective new thermostat. Happened to me, and lots of people I know. There are a lot of crap ones out there, sometimes you have to spend more than $7.
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Paul Eagleson
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2010
12:56:08
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Thanks for the replies guys. So much more useful info here than at my shop. I took my truck in for an oil change and they recommended rear u joints, fixing the "huge leak" from my power steering, replacing the fan clutch because it didn't turn off, and a leaky block heater that was going to bring on the end of the world. All for $2200.
I've done a heater core flush, which they had never even heard of, looked at the fan clutch which is 2 years old - nothing leaking out of it, looks clean, installed a new thermostat and spent about $15. Even the leaky block heater, which is about $35 is just barely moist after running for several hours. I added some stop leak to the steering fluid and there has been no more leaking.
The t-stat was $7 so maybe it's keeping me cool. It's pretty cold out today so I will test it out asap.
Paul
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Paul Eagleson
Dodge Dakota
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12/31/2010
00:28:21
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Hey guys,
Still cool. Not as cold as it's been but the engine never gets above the bottom third of the temp gauge.
The stat is a 195. I live in Edmonton Canada and it's pretty damn cold up here. So the 195 SHOULD have me running hotter, correct??
Maybe I should try removing the mech fan but it used to be warm with the mech fan in place.
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Paul
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sprocket1200
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2011
12:33:18
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
I am near victoria bc and have the same problem. i just run it and
it seems to work fine. my heat works though so I am happy.
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rocky
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2011
10:42:31
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
one ting i didn't see you post is weather some one ever changed the radiator or not if the rat is the wrong one then you end up with ether to extremes one is over heating or the other over cooling the more space the rat has per a square inch the quicker it will cool. aloe check the fan shroud if it isn't there it will not direct the proper air across the engine. one thing 4 the tine being that you can do is to block off some of the cooling space by temporarily putting a PC Ove card board or tin in front ove the radiator.don't block more than 3 quarters. PS Id Rather supporting u in the right fix.
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BillyConrail
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2011
17:37:06
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
The radiator is to big in the dakota's, over cools the engine. That is why many of them have sluge in the motor. "This is a fact" The motor does not get hot enough to burn off the condensation.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2011
09:00:08
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Never heard that one. If the radiator were to overcool the engine, the thermostat would constantly be closing to try to heat up the coolant in the block and release it to the radiator. That doesn't happen. And I've never seen or heard of sludge in this motor. I have 185K miles on mine, the oil is clean and honey-colored.
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BillyConrail
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2011
09:00:59
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Never heard of sluge in thease motors. What planet are you living on? Many complaints on sluge, do some research!
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BillyConrailk
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2011
09:05:49
| RE: Engine always run cool
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http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ACEW_enUS358US358&q=slude+in+dodge+motors
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2011
11:14:07
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Billy, Bob is correct. There are no reports of sludge problems with the 3.9, 5.2 or 5.9's. You're link refers to all of Dodge's overhead cam engines, V6 and V8's. Now from my experience, just about any engine can have a sludge problem but they are usually caused by poor maintenance practices.
And for the radiator being too big, that's a crock. If anything they are engineered to perform their job with a minimal safety factor to keep cost down as low as possible.
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James Shawara
Dodge Dakota
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11/29/2014
11:09:29
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
New 195 stat, heater core, rad. 3.8 Dakota, temp guage will not
go above 70 degrees have the rad blocked still not much
heat.Any advise would be appreciated, thx
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James Shawara
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/29/2014
11:54:29
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
New 195 stat, heater core, rad. 3.8 Dakota, temp guage will not
go above 70 degrees have the rad blocked still not much
heat.Any advise would be appreciated, thx
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ruben
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/14/2014
18:15:01
|  RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Yes, junk that P.O.S., but before you do kick in all the doors and take out the battery so it can die!
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Batman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/06/2015
20:34:07
| RE: Engine always run cool
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks to this site to allow non member posting.I put no numbers on internet these days, will find alternate way of paying membership. I was curious one day + checked Crappy Tire and I think NAPA too and surprise radiators listed for V6 and V8 had the same part numbers. My 92 3.9 5 speed runs cool too. So yes the thermostat should help to control the temperature if working properly but rad size is supposed to be related to horsepower, is it not? I am going to check some more now about this but I suspect rad size is more than adequate for the V6. -30 or so at nights here in Sask, have winter front , will travel. Thx
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Robin
Dodge Dakota
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1/11/2015
18:02:21
| RE: Engine always run cool
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Message:
Gotta your back Batman.
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Dave D
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2018
13:16:09
| RE: Engine always run cool
IP: Logged
Message:
1999 Dodge Dakota 3.9 failed smog test, Reason was
motor was not getting hot enough. I have recently
replaced thermostat with a 180 any suggestions
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