Truck running hot
Asked by Guru7RDK Jun 28, 2019 at 07:50 PM about the 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My truck is a 97 Dakota 3.9 and runs just over 200
degrees. When I shut it off and turn the key
forward (not starting it) the temp has gone up. Any
ideas on the issue. Iv been told fan clutch ( the fan
blade can be free spun with the motor off, not sure
if that's normal or not) also have been told to flush
radiator. Any help would be appreciated.
5 Answers
200 degrees is not bad. The temp goes up when you shut off the engine because the water pump is no longer circulating coolant through the radiator.
Thank you, even if it's running at about 210-215 I wont damage anything? I have contemplated doing the waterpump and thermostat. I just dont want to waste money if I dont need to. It has also been 90 degrees here in pa lately. I just dont want to destroy my truck is all
Also it has good heat and the coolant is where it should be in the radiator and overflow
This is normal. An electric fan would reduce this issue as long as it is set up to run after the ignition is turned off.
