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joe
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2005
21:45:16

Subject: 2002 4.7 overheating
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My 02 dakota quad cab maintains a just below 12 oclock temp except when I haul my boat ( 19' about 2,000 lbs). It will run slightly higher when pulling the boat, but when I attempt to launch the boat after a run to the lake ( about 30 miles) it will overheat while at idle, the temp pegs and antifreeze comes thru the overflow? Thought it might be the electric fan, not the clutch fan, any way to rewire the thermostat control to make the fan run all the time to tell if that is the problem? Took it to the local dealer and they couldn't replicate the problem.Very disgusted with them. Told them it only does it after towing???????Any suggestions?



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2005
23:52:30

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Lots of things can cause the engine to overheat. Since it's primarily related to towing, you should consider checking the trans oil temp when it's hot. That can be difficult without some special equipment. But with a little imagination, you can get some decent readings.

You should also check for a blown head gasket. If it's a very small leak, you won't notice it unless the engine is under a slight strain. Have the coolant tested for products of combustion.



Mason
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2005
23:42:38

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Still original size wheels & tires?
Does your Dakota have an automatic transmission?
If so, consider that the trans cooler is in the radiator. After 30 miles of towing, your tranny is gonna be nice and hot. When the torque converter is not locked up, it's normal that heat is being generated by the tranny while under a load due to converter slippage. The heat in the tranny is then transferred to the engine coolant at the radiator.
At your destination, you no longer have vehicle motion to force air through the radiator, nor is your engine-driven fan spinning as fast.
I'm thinking the heat in the tranny is being passed to the engine coolant faster than the radiator can give it up.
When your engine is at normal operating temp, check the engine-driven fan is turning. It won't turn quite as fast as the engine, but should still be going a fair clip. Could be fan clutch problem.
Try this experiment: next time you make that run with a tow, leave overdrive turned off, and keep your speed 60MPH or less.






Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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5/22/2005
16:17:17

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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B&M sells a trans temp gauge kit, it connects inline with the trans cooler line going to the radiator. If you do a lot of towing, you might consider buying one.



GraphiteDak
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5/22/2005
21:13:20

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Hmm. Crazy. The only time I've had mine nearly overheat was when I was was romping mine offroad in 4LO running electric fan ONLY.
It gurgled my antifreeze through the overflow slightly. I pulled over to let it idle and it would not cool down.
I had to actually spin on my clutch fan (LUCKY I brought it) and when I restarted it, it THEN cooled down right away.

Mine has the tranny cooler and heavy duty pack, whatever that gives you with the tow package I have.

I DO run a home brew electronic control for my electric fan. It enables me to run just my electric only which works unless I tow a BIG load or do off roading where I'm moving slow using 4LO a lot and running the A/C.

One thing you COULD try is just before you launch, keep it in park and hold the RPM's up just a bit (like 1500 RPM's) to get the clutch fan moving. Do that for a minute or two and see if the temp slowly drops to normal. Then launch.

I have to do that on almost a daily basis with my Chevy work van in this Phoenix heat when I idle too long doing papaerwork and cooling myself off with the A/C. The temp will drop a few pegs when I rev it up slightly in park.
Oh, BTW, NEVER sit and idle in PARK for any lengthy time! The temp will climb something aweful!



joe
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5/23/2005
09:10:07

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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I want to thank everyone who has taken their time to respond with their thoughts on my dilema with my truck. I got a lot of good ideas and hopefully one will correct my problem. I know with the towing package and 4.7l motor the truck is quite capable of towing my 19 ft boat. Thanks again to everyone and if anyone else has any thoughts please let me know.
Joe



BigblueQC
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5/23/2005
20:29:13

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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how many miles?? have you had the cooling system flushed, ever?? or has it always done this?? things I would look into, good luck

2002 QC 4x4 Sport Plus, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars, Pace Edwards Power Tailgate lock
3.55 rear, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, all possible fluids are AMSOIL

TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2005
22:37:35

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Graph,

Not trying to differ with you, just my results.

When My first son was younger, 2-3 years ago, I would be at Galveston Bay, sailing my cat, and leave the truck idling in high 9OF, 90%humidity, for over an hour, with only the a/c, and a stock, electric fan only! And the gauge never hit 1/2 way! With a 180 t-stat, and of course, the manual tranny, not sure if that would matter idling though.



GraphiteDak
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5/23/2005
23:48:39

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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I'm running my ELECTRIC ONLY right now in Phoenix. I usually don't have problems and even tow my 12 foot trailer just fine.
It's when I run in 4LOW off roading with out the clutch fan when it gets hot.

Anyway, I was just saying idling with a AUTO tranny in DRIVE and holding the brake is BAD if you do so for a long time, like stuck in a traffic jam. The converter makes lots of heat and the engine idle stays low, again bad with a clutch fan. If you sit for a while it's good to put an auto tranny in park or nuetral.



Kevin Shay
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2010
13:55:34

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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My engine is overheating when stopped and once it
gets going it cools back down



hey
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2010
15:12:49

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Things to check:

Make sure fan/fans are working.

Make sure front of radiator and AC condenser are
clean. (no mud, dirt, leaves or bugs)




jeff gardner
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8/02/2010
18:21:10

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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i have a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab. i have put in a new water pump, thermostat, coolant sensor, clutch fan and new belt and rad cap. and the thing still over heats. when i drain the radiator. i only get about a gallon out. do i have a air pocket? or am i missing something here? please help !!!!!!!



Caleb
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8/02/2010
22:59:53

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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My 2000 Dodge Dakota 4.7 was overheating until I
found out the Dealership had a way too big Overflow
Cap on it, bought a new one (16 PSI) at Wal Mart,
haven't had that problem since.



Bill H.
Dodge Dakota
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9/06/2011
20:01:12

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4.7 L that just
started overheating. I replaced the thermostat and
it seemed to correct itself for a month or so....now
it is back to overheating. I pulled the thermostat
out and ran it w/out it and the truck is still
overheating and the system keeps pressurizing,
pushing fluid into the overflow. But I still have
great circulation. Any suggestions...Any ideas
would be great at this point. This truck only has
64,000 original miles and has been taken care of.



BaBa
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2011
17:22:04

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Yes, you have air in the system. Leave the rad cap off and idle the engine till the air is all gone. This may take awhile if you have a good air pocket in the system.



daddio
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9/09/2011
08:47:28

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Check you radiator cap, clutch fan and electric fan to make sure they are all working properly. Could be your cap is not holdiong enough pressure. Mechanical Clutch could be bad or the electric fan may not be coming on when it should.



Nick C
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9/30/2011
21:48:30

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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i have an 02 dakota CC 4X4 with the 4.7 V8. i been having a slight issue towing golf carts around with over heating. found the coolant bubbling in to the over flow tank. checked the cap, it tested good but the coolant was low, when testing for CO gases in the system, i found high reading i believe i have a possible head cracked or gasket leak. no external leaks or tail pipe smoke any opinions?



tom93
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2012
10:45:37

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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My 2002 Dakota extra cab 4.7L was
doing that too and I stopped at a stop
sign this morning and it just shut off
what the f**k help please



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2012
14:04:25

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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Did you think about checking for codes? It would be a start.



rags
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2013
21:20:18

RE: 2002 4.7 overheating
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to joe sorrey to tell you this but your head is worped and the head gasket is leeking that is why your over flow is overflowing I had the same thing. this is not cheep but replace the head gaskets and have the heads plained or replaced just depends on the preasure test that needs to be done. just did it my self. 130'000 after water pump overheat the heads worp very easey between 3 and 4 cylender just a fact.
rags



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