Recently purchased 2001 Plymouth Neon LX. Driving on surface streets it does fine, but when I get on the interstate after about 10 minutes the temperature starts to rise and within about 15 minutes it is at the top of the gauge. Pulling over and idling does not cool it off, neither does exiting the interstate and driving on surface streets. The cooling fan is functioning properly. Here is a list of repairs attempted to fix problem: cooling system power flush, new thermostat and radiator cap, new radiator, new water pump, new head gasket, cooling system flush again. What is causing this problem?
2007-08-11 08:38:25 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
The diagnosis and all of the repairs were done by a mechanic, starting with the simplest and cheapest and working our way up to the head gasket.
I have submitted this problem to multiple forums trying to find an answer and, so far, all replies have been similar--involving problems directly with the cooling system. However, one response said it could be a plugged catalytic converter. The thing is, it just passed an emission inspection. Does this make sense?
2007-08-13 00:46:05 · update #1
When I pull over and lift the hood the coolant is boiling into the overflow tank.
2007-08-13 00:47:50 · update #2
sounds like either the mechanic does not know his stuff or ....you TOLD him what to replace, and he obeyed.
If the mechanic has been doing the thinking all along......you need to have another person check this car out. I would think that after a cylinder head gasket replacement, he would have figured it out by now.
By now, the solution is NOT on the internet, but in hands-on diagnosis.
The only other problem I can think of is that the air dam under the car is broken or missing. This redirects airflow from the ground to the radiator......has a large effect on the highway, too.
2007-08-18 13:55:36 · answer #1 · answered by vile_fly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all it is not caused by anit-freeze leaking into the oil. A lot of coolant would have to be drained out before that would be a factor. On top of that, the oil would have coagulated and ruined the engine if that was the case.
Have you done this all yourself or have you taken it to a mechanic? Dont just start replacing stuff until you know what the problem. Look at how much money you've spent and the solution still isn't solved all because you haven't positively identified the problem. If you haven't taken it in to a mechanic yet, do it now and quite wasting money.
2007-08-11 08:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by kdog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate to tell you but it's probably a head gasket going away. It might be a very small bypass in the gasket but I'm betting the head gasket is the problem. We just had a neon in our shop doing the exact same thing. It turned out that the head gasket fixed the problem. We even did a chemical block check and it didn't reveal a bad head gasket but once the head gasket was fixed, no more problem.
I highly doubt the CAT. We even thought of that on the one we had in the shop. If the fluid is flowing in the radiator and your not losing power (the cat) until it gets too hot. It's likely the head gasket. It's a small leak as head gaskets go but I will bet on it as the head gasket.
2007-08-19 05:40:52 · answer #3 · answered by hemicuda_573 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2001 Plymouth Neon Lx
2016-11-04 01:10:35 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So far you did not indicate any overheating symptoms such as boil over. The gauge reads high yet you need to verify the accuracy of the gauge with another thermometer. Also check for air restriction such as bugs on the AC condenser if equipped or a missing air dam or deflector. Check for a pinched or restricted hose.
2007-08-12 17:53:18 · answer #5 · answered by Canuck Guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the cylinder head is cracked and putting compression into the cooling system. But whoever put the head gasket in should have had the head checked while it was off
2007-08-11 08:43:58 · answer #6 · answered by Cruiser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this car had a lot of problems with the head gasket leaking into the cylinders which makes it run hot.
2007-08-17 15:13:33 · answer #7 · answered by Jackolantern 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't tell you what the problem is necessarily, but you should give the guys at Car Talk a call. They should be able to answer your question...I've listened to their show, and most of the time, they analyze the problem correctly. Give it a spin!
2007-08-18 12:59:20 · answer #8 · answered by pk_imobile 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is the coolent leaking into the oil?
you can check by looking at the oil and see if it looks like chocolate pudding
2007-08-11 08:44:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋