Ongoing Work
May/June 2025
May 30th~June 30th - Dodge Over Heating Problem
Following the over-heating problem on the
way home from Blyth Battery, I started looking into the issue. At low power
settings, the temperatures around various points of the engine and cooling
system seemed to be okay, but there was obviously a problem somewhere. Neither
the oil or water appeared to be contaminated by each other, so my first point
of inspection was the thermostat.
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June 3rd - The top of the water pump and
thermostat housing were removed and eventually I managed to get the
thermostat out of the housing.
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The thermostat was a bit tarnished, but
otherwise looked okay. I gave it a good clean and it was opening and
closing under hot and cold water just fine. I drilled a couple of small
holes through it, as is often recommended on Jeeps, so if it does stick
closed, water can still flow. It just takes a little longer to warm up.
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It all went back together for a test,
'though the small rubber pipe between the housing and top of the water
pump looked a bit perished. Good enough for a test, but I would order some
new pipe. The temperature seemed fine after a long lowish power run on the
drive, but I didn't have the time for a test drive.
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June 10th - The new rubber hose arrived
and was fitted on the 10th. After draining and re-filling the radiator,
the drain valve on the bottom was weeping, so all the coolant was drained
back out again. The valve was removed and the threads and valve seat
cleaned, as that was also a bit tarnished from dirt and rust particles. It
closed better now, so after adding some Wellseal to the threads and a
little around the seat, it was screwed back in. No leaking this time when
filled.
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A test drive on the 19th showed the Dodge
was still getting a bit hot after 6 miles. Not crazy hot, but I was close
enough to home to get back before any serious heat build up. I popped the
radiator cap off when I got back and when I revved the engine, saw the
fluid level bobbing up and down and bubbles popping in the top of the
radiator. I suspect the cylinder head gasket is leaking, pressurising the
cooling system, despite no signs of cross contamination. I have a
replacement gasket that I got with the truck, but will do a few more
checks before I start pulling things apart.
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