2010 Dodge Journey-coolant reservoir/overheating/lightning bolt warning light

Asked by YankeesGirl99 Nov 05, 2019 at 08:01 PM about the 2010 Dodge Journey R/T AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So about a month ago out of the blue, car
overheated then my collant reservoir cracked.
Took to meineke (first mistake) they charged
an arm and leg to put new reservoir. They said
they pressure tested but couldn't figure out
why my coolant reservoir cracked. Last week
- car started to overheat again. I put water in
reservoir (i now know I should have put
coolant in) ... But it seemed to be at least a
temporary fix. Yesterday - overheating again
so I got coolant. Put it in reservoir. Didn't help.
Met a mechanic in parking lot who said it may
be my fan not working. Left car overnight.
Just tried to drive it to mechanics and about 2
miles into the 4 mile drive my check engine
came on and then the lightning bolt. These
birth came in when my reservoir cracked so I
immediately pulled over. Reservoir was fine
but coolant I put in yesterday was gone. I put
more coolant in and was able to drive last 2
miles to mechanic. I'm trying to see if anyone
may have any thoughts as to what is
happening. Seems like so much pressure is
building up in reservoir. I ready online it might
be the y pipe? Why is the lightning warning
light popping up? Any advice would be great.

3 Answers
4,310

lincolnscott49 answered 5 years ago

first of all never use water but you know that . Second when filling a coolant system you must allow it time to recede ( purge) as it develops an air lock as it is a closed system. When filling allow it to recede . You will see air escaping inside as it recedes it takes some time to fill letting it sit while adding more. Are you getting any smoke from the exhaust pipe when starting and using antifreeze coolant?

Mark helpful

YankeesGirl99 answered 5 years ago

When I put the antifreeze in (mechanic at home depot helped) he squeezed this black thing pushing the air out ... (The coolant went down a bit when he did this) ... Yesterday when I drove it to mechanic my partner said I did have smoke coming out of my exhaust. She felt like it was too much but it was cold out and I think that happens when you first start a car in the cold, right??

Mark helpful
4,310

lincolnscott49 answered 5 years ago

Not always.Make sure the antifreeze is full and have a chemical block test done to rule out blown head gasket. When you over heat a car you can blow the head gasket. When filling antifreeze to purge you must wait for trapped air to come out as you fill it until it stops coming out or receding. This could be a 20 minute wait three times before it is full.

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