[dondons1984]

Ok guys so I am pretty sure I know what is up but I'm putting it on here cause I would like input.

Let my dad borrow my 2002 dodge ram 1500 4.7 to take since his gmc with 240,000 miles seems to be falling apart. He drove over 800 miles and was running the ac the whole time. He got outside of town on his way back when all of a sudden my temp gauge went through the roof. Didn't touch red on the gauge. I let it cool down had coolant but sprayed some via overflow. I felt the hoses and my hose going to my thermostat is cold and all others are warm. So I will be replacing the thermostat tonight after work (thank god for motorcycles): and doing a complete flush to the cooling system. I am looking for input on anything. But my biggest question is do any of you use rtv when putting on a new thermostat? I'm going to just as a precaution. Also going to check this old thermostat in hot water to see if it is bad. From there chamgimg oil and going to make sure no water is in it.

For some reason this heating issue seems to be common. My big worry is the fact that I believe I have a clog cause turned on the heat and I was ice cold. Isn't the blend door or anything else I hope. God knows those aren't easy to fix.

Thanks guys I'll keep you all updated.

 

[RogerRamJet]

Let's hope is as simple as a clog. Was there coolant in the engine when you checked the heater? Worst case is that you've blown a head gasket. Best case is that there's a pinhole leak on one of your hoses. Good luck in your quest and keep us posted.

Oh, and to answer your question, no. I don't use RTV, just the gasket that comes with it.

 

[dondons1984]

So cleaned everything out and cleaned it good. Everything is running like a champ. Went to go drain and pretty much got no antifreeze. So I freaked. Took a flat head swirled around in the drain plug and copper stop leak found my arm. Soon as I pulled the screwdriver it stopped. So I flushed it out. Put a flush kit in it ran it for about an hour drained it and have to say I wanted to pan for gold from what I saw. Stuck my hose in the radiator and just turned it on for about an hour. Got it cleaned and all now. Put new fluid in started it up ran it around town stop and go everything seemed fine. Went to a friends and was climbing the hill and noticed it started to climb. Nothing major. But I have to say that I am now not overheating anymore and happy my dad did not kill my truck.

 

[RogerRamJet]

Voonderbar! Good to hear it worked out. Thanks for the update.