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Ron
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2006
00:45:35

Subject: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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My son's 2001 Dakota 4.7 is boiling over after a 1 hour highway drive.
It seems it is pumping coolant into the overflow reservoir until it nearly empties the rad.
What do you think is going on?
And where is the thermostat on this thing?
Thanks.




Chris
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2006
02:04:46

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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Shure others will chime in, but usually a boilover is a result of loss of pressure in the system. (bad radiator cap ect) Or, low levels of antifreeze in the system. Antifreeze acts to raise the boiling point of the water coolant mix also.
The thermostat is located in the lower radiator hose housing on the engine block.
It would be a good idea to get a reputable mechanic to pressure-test the entire cooling system.



hmm
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2006
06:38:18

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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It may have a bad thermostat(or clogged radiator,maybe cap as mentioned) and got real hot exspanding the fluid into the exspansion tank and out the overflow leaving the radiator empty. Just hope the aluminum heads didn`t warp.



Josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2006
19:18:26

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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If there has ever been any cooling system stop-leak stuff in that engine, the first thing to do is replace the radiator cap. As the coolant squeezes by the cap's release mechanism, that stop-leak stuff treats it as a leak and tries to plug it. Soon the cap doesn't hold pressure any more and you get boilover. I've seen it and experienced it.
As Chris mentioned a pressure test by a reputable mechanic is a good idea, but it won't disclose a faulty radiator cap, because the pressure testing device is attached in place of the cap.




Rustywrenches
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2006
22:15:45

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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My pressure tester came with an adapter so you can install the radiator cap to the adapter and pressure tester and pressure it up like the radiator. Side note.....Most caps 3-4 years old are leaking and need to be replaced with the proper cap.



Ron
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2006
00:42:40

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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Thanks for all the great ideas.
My son has replaced the rad cap and he still has some issues with this truck.
So he has some garage time coming up to check some more things (thermostat, etc.).
Thanks again all.




jerry
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2006
01:25:35

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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hopefully it is something easy like the thermostat not opening all the way, and not something like a blown head gasket.



shatto
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2006
03:25:08

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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Most radiator shops will check the system for free, or close to it.
My radiator guy told me he just LOVES people who use stop-leak. Keeps him in business.
A way to test is feel the back of the radiator when the engine is at running temperature. This is best done with the engine off. Any part cold indicated plugged section. Not enough cooling=overheating. And the cap. And the thermostat.



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2006
12:15:14

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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Have the coolant testd for by products of combustion. If the test is positive, you have a blown head gasket.



Wade
Dodge Dakota
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8/05/2009
18:18:56

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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01 Dakota 4.7 was running warm so i changed fluid and thermostat. Now hot water will not flow back into radiator from bottom of block. Continues to boil and fan will not run. I tried to bleed the system with the bleeder screw and still no water flow from block to radiator. Just continues to overheat and not flow any ideas?



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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8/05/2009
20:20:24

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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Wade, are you sure you put the tstat in correctly? Make sure the fan is getting power. It is only supposed to run under two conditions:
1) Engine temp above 130 and demand for A/C.
2) Engine temp above 21o deg F.



Caden
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2021
09:39:33

RE: Dakota 4.7 boiling over
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So I have an 02 dakota 4.7, and started overheating, it had
water, and topped the oil off so Ik it’s not empty, and then
stopped over heating, and then 100 miles later it overheated,
and now overheats everytime I start it, I looked under the truck
to see if there was any leaks and everything under the engine
along with the tranny is covered in oil... and I’m stuck 300
miles from home, any ideas? Thanks



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