Overheating -what is the problem?

Question

I have a 1999 Dodge Neon---that is overheating. I can drive it for about 5-10 minutes, the temperature gauge gradually goes to hot. Already has antifreeze in it. Does have a slight radiator leak. Is it the water pump?? If so any idea how much it costs to replace?

Thanks for all the great responses!!!

Answer 1

There are many possibilities.

Is your anti-freeze properly mixed with 50% water? Pure anti-freeze liquid is not a good heat conductor....

Is your thermostat working properly? Have your mechanic test it or just have him replace it, as the amount work is about the same and the part is only 10 dollars or so.

Is your radiator clean, or do you have leaves and debres plugging up the fins? You can visually check this, but be careful cleaning it. You don't want to puncture the thin aluminum or bend the fins. You don't want to cut your fingers either (which is very easy to do)

If you have the electric cooling fan, or viscous coupled fans, does it work properly? (you really can't test these yourself unless you are very handy - have your mechanic replace it.

If you have a leak, it will prevent the system from properly pressurizing the system - which causes localized boiling in the engine - which will cause the fluid to contact less with the engine - which will cause the heat to build up - which will cause it to heat up even more. You do need to get that leak fixd.

Water pump IS a possibility. If you take the cap from the radiator off and turn the engine on for a while, do you see the fluid moving? If not, you either have a bad pump or your thermostat is stuck.

Lastly.... is your temperature guage accurate? If all else fails, it is possible that your reading is faulty.

You asked for the possibilities, so here they are.... Don't assume the worst... sometimes, simple thing can cause big problems. Have a mechanic look at it and get price quotes.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Most likely, it's the thermostat, which is relatively inexpensive, much cheaper than a water pump. Or it could be a bad radiator cap, that isn't keeping the system pressurized. Those are the two most likely culprits and, conveniently, by far the cheapest.

Answer 3

final twelve months during the summer season time my automobile began to 'overheat' everytime I ran the air conditoning. If i wasn't accelerating (in certainty coasting or at a stand nevertheless) the temp. gauge needle could upward thrust to the H rapidly, yet as quickly as I hit the gasoline the needle could rapidly circulate backpedal to the halfway element (B/t the H and C). I took it to our mechanic and that they replaced the thermastat two times and not something extremely replaced in any respect. nicely I knew as a non everlasting restoration I needed tocontinual around with the warmth grew to become on if I knew my automobile substitute into on the fringe of overheat. This twelve months i desperate to take it to a distinctive mechanic and are available to be certain it substitute right into a busted radiator the full time. i be attentive to u only have been given the radiator replaced....possibly u could attempt taking it to a clean mechanic see in the event that they are able to help.

Answer 4

you should goto your dealer and tell them to check your thermostat because it is not opening at the proper temperature.. this is causing the water to not circulate, it just heats the water in the water jackets and never lets the water into the radiator and such.

Answer 5

First fix the leak.

Second make sure your radiator fan is coming on.

Can't give any estimate without actually looking at the car to find out exactly what is wrong.

Sorry!

Answer 6

I would get the radiator fixed and they can tell you if it is bad or plugged up, then I would definately get a new thermostat and have your whole cooling system flushed out.

Answer 7

It could be the water pump. Have them change your timing belt when they do the water pump. The water pump is driven by the timing belt.

Answer 8

has a leak? then what is the question?
get the leak fixed and check thermoustat for proper operation

Answer 9

a water pump can cause it,but if i were you the first thing i would check is the thermostat.

Answer 10

i own a repair shop,and you,ll have to get the leak repaired before you can find out whats causing it to get hot,the leak may be the cause of it,because it needs to have pressure behind it,and the leak will cause it to loose it pressure,,so have that leak repaired,and then ask the question,and we might can help you,,good luck i hope this help,s.