How to Troubleshoot the Cooling System in a Plymouth Voyager

One way to pinpoint problems with your cooling system is to know how the system works. Simply put, antifreeze gathers heat when it passes through the engine and releases heat as it goes in the radiator. Cooling devices generally circulate antifreeze, contain it or control its temperature. Troubleshoot the cooling system in a Plymouth Voyager by regularly inspecting cooling system devices. These steps apply to most model years.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check the water pump for leaks. The water pump keeps the coolant moving through the engine, radiator and heater core. Signs of a faulty water pump include a vague antifreeze smell or spots of coolant under your Voyager when parked for short periods.

2. Look for cracked, collapsed, leaking or dry hoses. Inspect upper and lower radiator hoses, heater and bypass hoses and manifold coolant hoses. The upper hoses measure about 2 inches wide and carry antifreeze between the radiator and engine. Cooling system problems can stem from a damaged hose.

3. Examine the coolant level because low antifreeze results in overheating. With low levels, add antifreeze to the coolant tank reservoir. Use a 50/50 mixture of Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 5 year, 100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) and water. This applies to the four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines.

4. Drain your coolant and flush the system to discover cooling problems. Dispose of antifreeze properly because the sweet smell of it attracts animals and small children. Ingesting the toxic liquid can be deadly.

5. Inspect the radiator cap to see if it is faulty. For example, a damaged cap often shows corrosion. Join a mechanic to examine the cap's pressure rating and functioning with a pressure tester or an adapter. Promptly replace a defective cap.

6. Clean up the front of your radiator. When driving, dirt, rocks, leaves and other debris suck into the fins of your radiator, which causes overheating. Use a soft nylon brush, soapy water and a water hose to clean your radiator front.

7. Test the thermostat to see if it is sticking. Constant low temperature readings or peaks between high and normal temperatures are ways to identify a stuck thermostat. Your thermostat, a spring-loaded valve that reacts to coolant temperatures, generally sits inside the housing on the engine side of the upper radiator hose.

[mcsprocket]

on 4/16/2009 I have a new hose, thermostat, and radiator cap on my 1992 3.3 Dodge caravan. Hoses collapsed and surpentine belt jumps off. What can I do to solve this issue?