In early fall of last year we had to have to engine changed in our 2005 Dodge Stratus. I believe the engine is a 2.7 V6. The replacement engine had about 60k on it according to our mechanic. Anyway,when we used the A/C the engine would seem to drag more than usual. Then as it got warmer out this year the engine temp. gauge would get up in the red. After a few instances of this I had a friend help me change the thermostat. Now after going about 10 miles or so the car will still start getting hot and I'll turn the heater on and it will lower the gauge to about normal. I'm wondering,if I did happen to install the thermostat in backward, would I be getting this problem. What could it be? I also just back-flushed the cooling system this past weekend and it didn't seem to help. I don't seem to be losing any coolant either. HELP!
Car overheating but turning on heater seems to keep it under control. Has had thermostat replaced and ....?
That's not likely to be the thermostat - if it was stuck closed you wouldn't make it three miles.
That the heater helps so much tells the story; your radiator is plugged. I am guessing tap water has been put in the radiator, probably to dilute antifreeze. Use only purified water in radiators. No flush will get the hard water deposits out. The most obvious sign the thermostat is working but the radiator is not cooling the coolant is to carefully feel the radiator hoses when the engine is at normal operating temperature or above. The upper radiator hose should be too hot to put your hand on while counting to three, but the lower hose should be cool enough to grip for a three count. Once the radiator hoses are off you can do the gold test - try running the water from a garden hose through it. The radiator should easily pass all the water a 5/8 inch garden hose can put out. The last plugged radiator I replaced (in a friend's 2000 Focus last year) was so plugged I couldn't even blow through it - it was like blowing through a couple of soda straws. $110 later a new aftermarket radiator had it working like new.
Car overheating but turning on heater seems to keep it under control. Has had thermostat replaced and ....?
Could be installed backwards or not right stat.
Yes, putting the thermostat in backwards will cause your car to overheat.
The temp. bulb on the thermostat should face the engine. the radiator core blocked or damaged? Is your cooling fan working? Bad water pump?
check your fan make sure it is working and check your oil for water spots if water spots warped head on the Thermo stat the spring goes down when you turn the heater on it pulls it thought the Radiator so that is not clogged CHECK THE FAN
That the 'stat out and run the engine without one. The only purpose of the 'stat is to help the car heater warm-up faster, the engine could care less if it's there or not. If it still gets too warm, there's a problem somewhere else in the cooling system.
The air wasn't properly purged from the system. Likely the coolant level is very low. Allow the engine cool %26amp; remove the rad cap. Fill with 50/50 mix antifreeze/water. Fill the expansion tank to COLD level, if equipped.
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