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2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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darlayoung
New User
Nov 11, 2012, 1:46 PM
Post #1 of 7
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2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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My 2002 Dodge Caravan started having cooling problems about 2 years ago. I changed the thermostat first...seemed to fix it, then about a year ago, it started overheating again. In the past year, I have replaced the water pump, the radiator, 2 thermostats, the top radiator hose, and a head gasket and I am STILL loosing coolant out of the overflow when it's filled to normal levels. I can drive it without it overheating because I check the fluid level almost daily, but I am loosing about a 1/2 a gallon of coolant every time I drive it for more than 30 minutes...what could be causing the pressure to push the fluid out of the overflow ?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 11, 2012, 3:06 PM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: 2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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You need to pressure test the cooling system to find where the coolant is going. You may still have head gasket issues. I don't know if the first job was done correctly.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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nickwarner
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/ Moderator
Nov 11, 2012, 5:58 PM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: 2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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Has anyone bothered to pressure test the radiator cap to be sure it isn't blowing off early? HT is likely on the right track but sometime the little details are what gets overlooked and turn a mountain into a molehill.
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darlayoung
New User
Nov 11, 2012, 9:00 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: 2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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Thanks, guys...I'll try the radiator cap again...(I put a new one on it with a pressure release on it but maybe it is letting the fluid go too soon....on the original cap, the seal was torn up pretty badly when I replaced it...maybe it's as simple as that....if that doesn't work, I'll go have it pressure tested again....yehaw!
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nickwarner
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Nov 11, 2012, 9:54 PM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: 2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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If its as simple as a bad cap you should be happy for such a cheap fix. If the cap is fine I hope you've been putting in overtime. Thats the reality of your situation and unfortunately I'm with HT on this not fixing the issue unless proven otherwise by proper testing. I don't know what kind of shop you go to, but remember that the cheapest fix is almost never the least expensive one.
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darlayoung
New User
Nov 12, 2012, 7:11 AM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: 2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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I did the work on it (except for the head gasket) myself so I know everything but that was done right....some one told me that there is something to do with the transmission cooling system on the passenger side that MIGHT be causing the problem but I can't find anything on line or when I'm under it to check....any ideas on that one?
I'm off to the parts store to get a new radiator cap, right now.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 12, 2012, 7:13 AM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: 2002 dodge caravan cooling system
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The head gasket job is the part we are questioning. If the head wasn't checked out properly by a machine shop, they likely put it back together with issues.
I also notice you are referring to head gasket in singular. Unless this is a 4 cylinder engine, 2 heads should have been done.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 12, 2012, 7:15 AM)
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