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Crazy temperature

3K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  Getty59 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello. I have a 2006 Commander 5.7 Hemi with 112,000 miles. I live in NJ where the temperature is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. In June 2012 I noticed a leak coming from the radiator; it was replaced and had no issues until about September or October 2012 when the temperature gauge would sporadically go from normal to hot. When I took it back to the mechanic whom I trust completely, he added some antifreeze (not much) and there was no issue until about January 2013. I noticed the temperature again to move toward hot then normal etc. At that time I asked to have it checked again since I was planning on brakes, oil change and some other stuff. He said it could be the thermostat or water pump. He recommended we start with thermostat since it was cheaper and a quick fix. Again the Jeep rode great for about a month then another antifreeze leak. Antifreeze everywhere so we replaced the water pump. Again all good until yesterday (2/25/13), temperature again going from normal to hot, fan on and off. All the while the jeep ran smooth. The heat was also intermittent during this time, blowing hot to cold. After it cooled I added total about a quart or less of 50/50 antifreeze to radiator and expansion tank. After the truck ran perfect again with no issues and no issues with heat.I do not notice any leakage or smell inside or outside the jeep. I do sometimes hear liquid running around the inside of the dash. Most times I hear this sound it’s at acceleration. Any suggestions? I can deal with adding some antifreeze every once in a while but I don’t want to give up on the jeep just yet. Please give me any advice you can. Give it to me straight please, either bad or good. I’m not a mechanical guy so if you can put it in plain English where I can talk to my mechanic again. Sorry if this is an old topic. Thanks.
 
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#2 ·
The water swishing around is air in your cooling/heating system. When the system is full of fluid, you won't hear this. Theres an air lock somewhere and it needs to be purged. There's a writeup on this, but you'll have to search around..... I had a small leak awhile ago and couldn't pinpoint it at first. It ended up being the water pump AND the overflow bottle hose, which I have since repaired. But while the overflow bottle kept losing fluid before i was able to locate the leak, someone suggested putting a clear glass at the end of the tail pipe to collect the condensate after a cold start. that if the antifreeze was getting into the engine the water collected in the glass would be tinted the color of antifreeze. The condensate was crystal clear! I'm assuming this ruled out that the head gasket was bad...
 
#3 ·
Bad News

i hate to give this kind of bad news but that is the classic symptoms of a head gasket.


Easy to diagnose.


take it to the mechanic open the cooling system up and run the vehicle until its hot.

then take a Co2/Mo2 Gas meter and hold it near your coolent rad cap area is best but if you dont have overflow bottle should work.

any dramatic increase in Mo2 means the head gasket are gone.
 
#4 ·
Ok thanks for the information. Just a follow up. If it is the worst case, the head gasket, wouldn't it throw some kind of warning light? or code? I have nothing. Also will it get worse over time or do I just need to add some antifreeze every few months. Whats something like that cost anyway? from a mechanic not the dealer. Thanks again.
 
#5 ·
It will get worse if the head gasket is the issue.
also because the coolent is going where it is not suppose to it will damage the engine beyond repair. Ie... Oil, Cylinders. best to get it checked out just to be safe.


also, even with all the great computer technology in cars they dont always send a code. codes usually happen Due to a Chain of events over time.
if there is a step inside the chain of events that has not happend but the end result of that chain of events did still happen you end up with a no code scenario
 
#8 ·
Well then I highly doubt it is head gasket then the anti freeze mixed in with oil causes the creamy color also u would see grey smoke coming out of your tail pipe. I would almost say that maybe the thermostat went out again it happens... It is only a 15 dollar part so I would change it again and make sure u get all the air out. Or u could have your radiator flushed to clean it out maybe something is clogging something up.
 
#9 ·
Ok. One other question. When adding antifreeze to a cool engine, whats the best place to add it? The reservoir tank, directly in the radiator or both? If you can give me step by step it would be helpful. I want to do it correctly. Sorry if it sounds dumb. Thanks
 
#10 ·
Ok. One other question. When adding antifreeze to a cool engine, whats the best place to add it? The reservoir tank, directly in the radiator or both? If you can give me step by step it would be helpful. I want to do it correctly. Sorry if it sounds dumb. Thanks
Add it to the reservoir.
 
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