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Author Topic:   Overheating Problems?
Larry Lord


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From:Colton, CA
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posted 07-20-2000 12:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry Lord     send a private message to Larry Lord   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Larry Lord
My dealer says my car is fine. They checked with the factory and were told that everything is designed correctly and that the car has sufficient cooling capacity.

The factory says that the Prowlers were tested at the Arizona Proving Grounds and passed every cooling system test.

So why am I having cooling problems with my car? I had an overheating problem last year on the way back from CAAP II while passing though Yuma. I had overheating problems while on and while returning from the Hot Rod Power Tour and Sedona cruise. I had overheating problems while driving down Route 66 on my way to the Good Guys Event in Pomona.

I can turn off my A/C and turn on my heater to cool my car and make the "check gauge" light go out. My fan, thermostat, radiator and coolant level are all OK. This makes me believe that by turning on the heater I am increasing the heat transfer capacity of my cooling system and by turning off the A/C, I am lessening the strain on my engine, thereby eliminating some of the cooling needs.

I have recently added an airdam under the battery area of my car to possibly help with my overheating problem. My hope is that it may push a little more air up to the radiator area or possibly just create a sightly higher pressure area in the front of the radiator, causing the air to pass through the radiator instead of out the bottom of the nosepiece.

My next step is to add an auxillary fan to the front of the radiator for some extra air flow.


Has anyone else had overheating problems with their Prowlers??? I'm being told that it's just me.

Chrysler,,,are you listening????

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Larry (King of the Miles) Lord
Prowler Owners Association
Southern California Area
Larry@FMBbox.com

ed monahan





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posted 07-20-2000 01:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ed monahan     send a private message to ed monahan   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by ed monahan
I haven't had any problems with mine over heating. Have you checked the front of the radiator to see if any old hats or other objects are blocking the airflow? Seems to me I heard somewhere you were having a problem with a hat. Can't remember where I heard that, though.
Steve Marcus
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posted 07-20-2000 09:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Steve Marcus     send a private message to Steve Marcus   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Steve Marcus
Could the thermostat be bad?

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Gary C


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posted 07-20-2000 11:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
Too many high speed miles?
Mike Krehel





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posted 07-20-2000 11:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Krehel     send a private message to Mike Krehel   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Mike Krehel
Hi Larry,

I think Steve is right. I would check the thermostat first and then move on to other things like checking that the fan is operating and not obstructed or look for possible broken blades. The next thing to check is for air in the system. remove the radiator cap and heat the car up (turn the A/C on to give the engine more load) and once the engine is up to temperature, squeeze the upper radiator hose a few times and see if the coolant level drops. You may want to repeat the squeezing procedure several times.

Another trick is to use distilled water instead of tap water. You will need to totally drain the system and start by refilling first with antifreeze and then top off with distilled water. One more thing I use in my Vipers is a product called "Water Wetter". This stuff really seems to help reduce temperature. Not quite sure how it works, but it does. I've put it in all my cars.

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Mike Krehel
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Gary C


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posted 07-20-2000 12:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
Water wetter, somebody else mentioned, lets see, who was that,hhmmmmmmm?
Rich Tilden

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posted 07-20-2000 12:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rich Tilden     send a private message to Rich Tilden   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Rich Tilden
For this symptom, I have found that the problem is almost always air in the system. Before you do anything, burp the system. If you look at the front-top-middle of your engine you will see what looks like a small silver zerk fitting sticking straight up. Warm the car up with the radiator cap off or loosened, make sure there is antifreeze in the reservoir and then open this valve and leave it open until you get pure antifreeze coming out of it. If this is the problem, you will also need to keep adding antifreeze to the reservoir as the air escapes from the fitting. Hope this helps.
Gary C


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posted 07-20-2000 12:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
Water wetter is a great product, I have three bottles in the garage.

It helps the water to adhere or cling to the passages in your cooling system.

Used it myself and have seen 20 degrees cooler results in my old racecar.

Tele # 707 745 6100

Doubles the wetting ability of water.....


I know you have used it Larry, I was just giving info to the others.

Did everyone know Larry was a 3 time track champion? HE IS A FAST GUY.

[This message has been edited by Gary C (edited 07-20-2000).]

Mike Krehel





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posted 07-20-2000 01:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Krehel     send a private message to Mike Krehel   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Mike Krehel
Great tip Rich on purging air from the engine! I believe that the top of the radiator and upper hose are above the fitting that you are speaking about. That would mean that the air would go to the highest place, which is the top of the radiator and hose.

Larry, you might want to try Rich's idea first because the upper hose is difficult to get to unless you remove the metal guard over the radiator and fan.

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Mike Krehel
ProwlerOnline.com

[This message has been edited by Mike Krehel (edited 07-20-2000).]

Larry Lord


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posted 07-20-2000 01:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry Lord     send a private message to Larry Lord   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Larry Lord
Thanks guys for all of your suggestions, but all have already been done with the exception of the "water wetter". I don't want to add that until I have exhausted all other options as that seems to me, a temporary solution to an inherent or permanent problem.

My dealer has performed all of the usual repairs for this type of problem including a "sniffer for Co2" and a pressure test to check for internal problems.

I feel that the cooling capacity is just not enough for the California or Arizona temperatures. Anyone else have overheating problems?

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Larry (King of the Miles) Lord
Prowler Owners Association
Southern California Area
Larry@FMBbox.com

Mike Krehel





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posted 07-20-2000 01:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Krehel     send a private message to Mike Krehel   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Mike Krehel
Larry,

It's was 103 a few days ago and the temp gauge was just slightly above the center tick.

I've had no overheating problems on any of my Prowlers. Maybe you should go to another dealer

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Mike Krehel
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prwlyn


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posted 07-20-2000 02:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for prwlyn     send a private message to prwlyn   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by prwlyn
Larry, does this happen at high speed, above 50 mph and is it better at low speeds? One thing to check when the engine is cold is open the hood and take your finger and spin the fan. If the clutch is ok it should only turn about 1/4 to 1/2 turn. If it spins then the silicone has leaked out of the clutch. This causes the fan to not cool enough. Car fans are designed to cool at lower speeds because in theory you don't need a fan at high speeds since the air is forced in then. The clutch cuts the fan out over about 40 mph so it doesn't rob HP. It is possible to have a brand new clutch and it be bad.

Try the spinning it and also try the low speed test to see if it still oveheats at those speeds. JJust some thoughts from an old ex car mechanic.

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Fred J. Henkel
Texas Co-State Director, PPC

Terry Blake
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From:Chandler, Arizona US
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posted 07-20-2000 03:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Terry Blake     send a private message to Terry Blake   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Terry Blake
Larry

It's been 112 and 113 in Phoenix and I have been driving in it. Even stopped at lights for some time. I only have 300 miles on my yellow 2000 and the gauge has never been over the half way mark. ( Maybe just slightly over ) Also while at the dealer a couple of weeks ago, while checking for a possible fuel pump problem (wouldn't start after the car ran for twenty minutes or so ) we let the car idle for a good 15 to 20 minutes and the temp again did not go above the half way point. Maybe I got a good one !

I would say you really do have a cooling problem or maybe your water temp sensor is bad, sending a bad signal to the computer which in turn makes your light come on. Could this be possible ?

Good luck

Terry

Andrew Howard
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From:Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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posted 07-20-2000 05:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Andrew Howard     send a private message to Andrew Howard   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Andrew Howard
If it is the water temp sender, you can pull them and check it to see if it is working correctly. Sounds like you do have a problem. Just a matter of figuring out what is causing it. I have not heard of anyone else with this problem. Personally, I would want to first find out whether the car is actually running as hot as your gauge shows or if it is a Computer/Instrumentation problem. I do know that I have seen my Temp Gauge go above the 3 oclock position. But it will only do this if I drive in 3rd Gear for a while at high speeds. Once I shift back into 4th, the engine goes back to normal operating temperature.

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Andrew
'99
Colorado

George C


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posted 07-20-2000 06:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for George C     send a private message to George C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by George C
I too have the same problem.!! In first and second gear cruising with AC on it heats up to above 7/8 mark. Going up any grade,AC on it heats up!I also have the new AIR DAM (design by Me,fabbed by FMB) and will try it out tomorrow crossing the Mojave Desert.I also believe theres not enough air flow. DM is shining us on !!!!!!
George C


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posted 07-20-2000 06:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for George C     send a private message to George C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by George C
Iment DC !!!!!!!

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George Carter

Gary C


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posted 07-20-2000 06:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
You mean, "I meant DC".

Only 102 tomorrow in Mojave.

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A Red 2000
ALL BY CARLINI
Rear Roll Pan
Front Turn Signals
No Bumbers Anywhere
Custom Borla Exhaust System
Chrome everything Front End & Billet Grill, this week
Maybe New Custom paint for the Woodward Event
Valentine One Radar Detector

[This message has been edited by Gary C (edited 07-20-2000).]

Rich Ware
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posted 07-20-2000 07:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rich Ware     send a private message to Rich Ware   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Rich Ware
I live in Gerogia, drive in heavy traffic in temps up to 99 and high humidty and my temperature guage just barley goes past the normal range with the AC going full blast.
I can also drive at 75mph same reading on the temp gauge.
Gary C


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posted 07-20-2000 08:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
It sounds like the California cars just do it.
We are the HOTTEST.

Mine does it also.

------------------
A Red 2000
ALL BY CARLINI
Rear Roll Pan
Front Turn Signals
No Bumbers Anywhere
Custom Borla Exhaust System
Chrome everything Front End & Billet Grill, this week
Maybe New Custom paint for the Woodward Event
Valentine One Radar Detector

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posted 07-20-2000 09:21 PM           send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by PhxSuncat
Larry: I also think it may be a thermostat or air in system problem. Have you or dealer, ever completely flushed out your entire cooling system? You might ask Mike, certified Prowler wrench, at PTCruiser website. He may have an idea that none of us has touched upon.
Quicksilver
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posted 07-23-2000 01:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Quicksilver     send a private message to Quicksilver   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Quicksilver
Larry,
When I get settled in Michigan I might take Quicksilver to a Dealer and see what they have to say about this overheating problem.
Maybe CJ knows of an Excellent Dealer close by?
I'll keep you posted!
Muzz

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