2003 3.5L Overheating problem - DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums - Dodge Intrepid, Concorde, 300m and Eagle Vision chat

memere · 07-07-2005, 02:41 PM

I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself. I read other threads after writing my original one. I thought you probably needed more information.

The thermostat indicator in my car goes all the way up within minutes of driving my car. If I slow down and turn the heat on maximum, the indicator will go down halfway. If I turn off the heat. The indicator goes back up.

I sent the car to my mechanic (good person, delt with him for years). He replaced the thermostat.Problem came back after a few days. He flushed out the radiator & no air in system. Same problem imediately. Now I'm driving my car without the thermostat. Only if necessary.

The timing belt isn't rough. No blown gasket. No water leakage from water pump. Air conditioning is working fine. Only thing he didn't think of checking was the pressure cap.

kcj393 · 07-07-2005, 03:35 PM

Yeah...that actually could be it! Change the radiator cap...You may be losing pressure there. Also, I hate to say it to you, but I had a blown head gasket that didn't cause smoke out of the tail pipe that would have the same symptoms you are having. And when I removed my thermostat...It would do the same thing! EXACTLY the same thing! If that cap doesn't work...Like I said before...TAKE IT TO THE DEALER OR ANOTHER MECHANIC...Cause any mechanic that would let you leave his shop without a thermostat in your car...just for the sake of having it in working condition...is not the BEST mechanic to deal with...Just my 2 cents..

sc.intrepid · 07-07-2005, 05:54 PM

I'm kinda confused.

T-stat stays closed on startup to warm engine up. T-stat opens @180 degrees to flow coolant.

Now if the t-stat is the problem, replacing it should have made the overheating go away. If replacement did not fix it, then it wasn't the problem and removing it won't solve the overheating issue. You should have left the new-good one in place cause it will pop open @180 degrees

The t-stat is not a safety device so driving without it is not dangerous or a crime. It will just take forever for your engine to warm up. And I have read here that many a mysterious overheating has been solved with a new pressure cap on the overflow tank. Air in the cooling system has caused your problem as well, but you say for sure there is no air in it.

What is odd is that you said the problem went away with the new T-stat but then came back a few days later?

memere · 07-08-2005, 06:07 AM

It lasted for about three days and yes it did start again. Well yesterday my mechanic sent me to another mechanic for his opinion. This mechanic said that he thinks its the gasket. He strongly suggested me to go to the dealer. I didn't make it. I had my car towed there. Now I'm crossing my fingers and toes that this will be on my garantie. If not well I bought 3 cars from this salesman so he better give me a break. Or else this will cost me mucho bucks.

kcj393 · 07-08-2005, 09:30 AM

I Tried To Tell You...i Know My Sh!t!!! I Knew It Was The Head Gasket!!! Everyone Else, Please Watch Out For Those Symptoms As Well!!! On My Powertrain Warranty...it Covers Headgaskets...maybe Yours Does Too!!!

memere · 07-08-2005, 12:03 PM

The dealer called back and said that the thermostat was installed backwards. Apperently that happens often. So I spent a shit load less than what I expected...

kcj393 · 07-08-2005, 02:01 PM

AWSOME! THAT'S GOOD THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THAT! But, usually , those symptoms mean a head gasket that is dying out...Lucky for you it wasn't...Sorry for getting u scared in any way....

kcj393 · 07-08-2005, 04:15 PM

NOOOO...wait a minute.....IT IS STILL THE HEAD GASKET CAUSE U HAD THE PROBLEM BEFORE THIS AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED...THEN YOU DROVE WITHOUT A THERMOSTAT ALL TOGETHER AND YOU STILL GOT OVERHEATING....SO IT IS STILL YOUR GASKET OR SOME OTHER PROBLEM...NICE TRY...YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO SAVE FACE ON DI.NET!!!

memere · 07-08-2005, 05:07 PM

Well the dealer called back this afternoon and guess what, it is still overheating with the new thermostat installed correctly. Monday the 3.5 specialiste will take a look at it and they will look at the water pump to see if the threads are used. Maybe it's not turning correctly...

kcj393 · 07-08-2005, 11:01 PM

DAMN YOU!@#$%$%E$% ITs the HEAD GASKET!!! TELL THEM TO CHECK THAT!!!!! !@#$@##$@#$@#

memere · 07-11-2005, 08:23 PM

The changed the thermostate because it seemed damaged of being put on backwards. The changed the waterpump. The old one seemed to be ok. They changed it incase. The replaced the head gasket. The old one was fine. No cracks no leaks. The checked the pressure on the radiator cap. The dealer says that the engine is not overheating anymore. The don't understand why... They are completly baffled. I'm only paying for the thermostate because it was on backwards when they receive it.

So I wasn't trying to shit because even the mechanics at chrysler don't understand.

They will be doing a road test with the computer to make sure it won't overheat again.

kcj393 · 07-11-2005, 09:33 PM

Damn...that wierd...it sounds like its probably a sensor issue then...Keep us all posted..

memere · 07-19-2005, 07:14 PM

The dealer changed the thermostat, radiator cap, checked gasket, remplaced prestone, checked radiator and tried to drain air out. They could not find what was the problem with my car. They put 200k on it and now it's not overheating. If it does again it's going on my garanty.

P.S: This mechanic I know told me that his brother in law works a chrysler and apparently the have this thing called ``Goodwill program``. If you car is doing something funky and they can't find the problem, they have a special budjet for each dealership for these cases. My dealership didn't deny it and my bumper to bumper garantie expired 500K ago. And my other garantie only applies to whatever touches oil. Did they use the Goodwill, only had 500K over or is it because it's my third vehicle from them???