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Thermostat Problem?

Old Jan 2, 2011 | 08:16 PM
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From: IOWA
Thermostat Problem?

Has anyone ever had a brand new OEM DODGE thermostat that stuck or was not good?

Here is the story, about two months ago my truck was just getting up to temp as I pulled on to the interstate. A few miles down the interstate my EDGE alerts at me 225* engine temp and begins to keep climing really fast. So I kill the truck coast to a stop and see whats wrong. It blew most of the coolant into the reservoir and on the ground, being I couldn't see anything else wrong I chalked it up to a STUCK THERMOSTAT. Plus after I was able to get some water back into it, it started work and drove about 60 miles with no problems.
So I change out the thermostat with a NEW OEM Dodge and flushed the system and refilled with CAT antifreeze. And drove it just a few times right after the change. So now 2 months later, (keep in mind that the truck sat for almost 2 months, I don't drive it in winter unless roads are good) I hopped in the truck to take it for a drive. And pretty much the same route as the last time, I get up on the interstate and the same exact thing happens again? ***? So I pull off the interstate and limp it to my cousins house just off the highway. Again checked everything over and the same again, antifreeze blown into the over flow tank and on ground. So with a with a little time and topped off the system is was up and running again normal at 192*.
So could I have got a bad thermostat new? Or since my truck sits for long periods of time is it causing the stat to stick and then once it opens all is ok. Just wondering what your thoughts on this were, I think that I am going to just run it and see if it happens again. Just can't believe that I would have two thermostats both do the same thing and one being new.

Thanks for your input,

Dustin
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 10:46 AM
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From: Upstate NY
Faulty thermostats are not all that uncommon; however the reason you changed it in the first place hasn't been cured. You could try changing out the thermostat, but then you need to see if there are any other underlying issues.
i.e Clogged radiator, etc. Next time you get it up to temp, turn off the heat and check the temp of the lower radiator hose. It should be almost as hot as the upper. If not either the thermostat hasn't opened, the rad or hose has a blockage, the heater, that you forgot to turn off is drawing too much heat from the cooling system (in this case turn off the heat) or the water pump isn't circulating coolant at the required rate. To check for coolant circulation with a cold engine, take the cap off the radiator and make sure the coolant level not more than 1/2" below the neck. Put the heater into full heat and get a friend to start it up and watch the fluid level. If coolant level it drops on start up, the water pump is circulating.

Hope this helps a bit.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 02:15 PM
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First time sounded like a bad thermostat. Second time sounded like a vapor lock.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 04:35 PM
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From: IOWA
Originally Posted by NavyDood
First time sounded like a bad thermostat. Second time sounded like a vapor lock.
It it was the first time that I had drove it since the replaced stat I would think a vapor lock or something too, but I had drove it a bit and no problems. I drove it today about 150 miles round trip and it held at 188-192* all day with no problems what so ever. Good heat as normal, and I didn't do anything but top it off with coolant after it did it yesterday. So I guess that I am still thinking that it is a thermostat problem. If it was a water pump, or something else I don't think that it would go away.

Thanks for the replies!!!

Dustin
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