Bubbling in the coolant overflow tank!

I have a 98 Dodge Stratus, and the car runs slightly hot but when you turn the car off you can smell something and the coolant overflow tank is bubbling the water is obviously boiling, what do you think it could be the radiator clogged I'm hoping? Do you have a good mix of water / antifreeze 50/50 ? One problem that would cause boiling is by using too much water in the mix can lower the boiling point of the coolant mix.
Any other ideas out there?


(This post was edited by carjunky on Aug 10, 2006, 3:33 PM)
Anti-freeze will raise the boiling point but not that much. Just said it that water will transfer heat better but we need the protection of anti-freeze if just for corrosion control.

Yes radiator could be plugged, fan may not come on or even a head gasket can add exhaust gas into cooling system and it won't work with air in it. Hope that's not it and you can test that by feeling the upper rad hose for pressure when cold and if it pressurizes quickly it's a sign.

Sometimes you can put on the A/C by using defrost mode to force the fan on but ask for the highest temp and watch the gauge. Don't let this keep overheating as other problems will show up, T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston
http://acsource.net/acforum/index.php









So when the car is on I can feel the upper RAd hose to tell if the head gaskets are the problem? Is it true to check the radiator for being plugged by feeling the bottom of the rad should be warm and if you move your hand to the top it should get hotter. But if you feel and cold spots in between sign of plugged rad should I flush or buy a new one? When engine is cold take the radiator cap off and start it up. You may see bubbles there right away which will quickly get to the recovery tank.

You radiator test is correct but with electric fans or any keep your hands out of the way. If coolant looks really dirty it could be a pluggs up or diminshed radiator. Flushing them out doesn't alway get it enough.

Note: Head gasket can leak in several ways. Coolant can burn, oil and leak, oil can mix with coolant and a whole host that should should be checked. Spark plugs should all look about the same. If not more testing would be needed, T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston
http://acsource.net/acforum/index.php









Replace thermostat.
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