My 1999 Dodge Durango is Overheating?

Question

It only overheats when I turn on the A/C. I've changed the thermostat, cleaned the condinser, and the water pump looks fine. What else could it be? Its a 1999 8 cyl (5.2) 4X4 Dodger Durango. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Didnt realize the Dodgers built cars

Answer 2

What are you considering over heating? Is the interior thermostat going into the Red? If it isn't then it is just warm, not over heating. If it is over heating, there are a few things to check. Sometime when the engine is warm, start it up and leave it in park. It will heat up and when the thermometer is in the center of the operating temperature range, the water pump should be pumping. Squeeze the large rubber hose the either enters or exist the radiator. It should be very firm and hot and feel like there is water moving through it very quickly. If not, you have poor coolant circulation. Also if the water is flowing through the radiator, the cooling fan should come on. If everything is working properly, the fan should be turning on running for a few minutes and then shutting off. If it is on continuously, the engine could be running too hot. If it is never coming on, then the fan is needs repair.

My guess is that all these things are working fine. Most likely you have another problem like too much weight in the vehicle, too much debris on your radiator, or something that is causing your engine to run rich. Too much fuel in the fuel air mix could be caused by a bad O2 sensor or Engine temp sensor or Mass Air Flow Sensor. All of these should have your Check engine light on.

Answer 3

generally the a/c will put alittle extra strain on the motor,but not enough to make it over heat. if there are no leaks then i would flush the cooling system, it is veary possible the there is gunk in there and slowing the flow of coolant, also get a new rad. cap, they will let your rad. evaporate and you wouldnt know it unless youre over heating and are having to put more coolant in there.
if all checks out after all the, the part store has this stuff called sheet ( i think ) its bright pink and it will cool your temp down by 20 degrees! i have it in my car and it does work, i live in florida sooo.... good luck my friend

Answer 4

your cooling fan probably isnt working. You might need a new air conditioning compressor. The compressor allows for the cooling to operate when it idles. This is probably causing the overheating. Try turning on the a/c when your car is parked and check the cooling fan.

Answer 5

If it also is losing power, try checking the catalyic converter !! I just had this problem on my Cadi and Ford van. If the catalyic converter is melted down or blown apart, it is obstructiong the exhaust, therefore, the exhaust backs up into the engine and it will overheat !!

Answer 6

check the condenser and radiator to make sure that there is nothing blocking the flow of air throw the rad.also check to see if the finns in the rad or in good shape and not coming apart from the rad cores. check the clutch fan as it may not be drawing enough air throw the rad. check the fan shroud to make sure its not broken. if that is good the rad it self maybe pluged, not enough water flow to cool

Answer 7

replace fan clutch...i think it has a mechanical one...the condensor get hot just like the radiator and if the fan wont spin up when the temp rises it need to be replaced..check the fan clutch for fluid leaks ect...when your engine gets hot the fan should begin to sound like it does when it cold, sounds like a big wind tunnel...replace if this doesn not happen....bout 70.00 at autozone

Answer 8

do the same thing i did with mine. GET RID OF IT. mine did the same thing. the durango ssssuuuuuccccckkkkkssssssssssss. i got a nissan titan and have not looked back

Answer 9

your radiator may be clog, fan clutch may be bad. or a/c fan in front of condenser is not working if it has one. I'll bet its one of that problem.

Answer 10

add come coolant