Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 303

7 - 16 COOLING
COOLING (Continued)
CONDITION
INADEQUATE HEATER
PERFORMANCE.
THERMOSTAT FAILED IN
OPEN POSITION
STEAM IS COMING FROM THE
FRONT OF VEHICLE NEAR
THE GRILL AREA WHEN
WEATHER IS WET, ENGINE IS
WARMED UP AND RUNNING,
AND VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS IN
NORMAL RANGE
COOLANT COLOR
COOLANT LEVEL CHANGES IN
COOLANT RESERVE/
OVERFLOW TANK.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS IN
NORMAL RANGE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Has a Diagnostic trouble
Code (DTC) been set?
2. Coolant level low
3. Obstructions in heater
hose/fittings
4. Heater hose kinked
5. Water pump is not pumping
water to/through the heater core.
When the engine is fully warmed
up, both heater hoses should be
hot to the touch. If only one of
the hoses is hot, the water
pump may not be operating
correctly or the heater core may
be plugged. Accessory drive belt
may be slipping causing poor
water pump operation.
1. During wet weather, moisture
(snow, ice or rain condensation)
on the radiator will evaporate
when the thermostat opens. This
opening allows heated water
into the radiator. When the
moisture contacts the hot
radiator, steam may be emitted.
This usually occurs in cold
weather with no fan or airflow to
blow it away.
1. Coolant color is not
necessarily an indication of
adequate corrosion or
temperature protection. Do not
rely on coolant color for
determining condition of coolant.
1. Level changes are to be
expected as coolant volume
fluctuates with engine
temperature. If the level in the
tank was between the FULL and
ADD marks at normal operating
temperature, the level should
return to within that range after
operation at elevated
temperatures.
CORRECTION
1. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL -
DESCRIPTION) for correct procedures
and replace thermostat if necessary
2. (Refer to 7 - COOLING - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING).
3. Remove heater hoses at both ends and
check for obstructions
4. Locate kinked area and repair as
necessary
5. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/
WATER PUMP - REMOVAL). If a slipping
belt is detected, (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). If heater
core obstruction is detected, (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING/HEATER CORE - REMOVAL).
1. Occasional steam emitting from this
area is normal. No repair is necessary.
1. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES -
DESCRIPTION). Adjust coolant mixture as
necessary.
1. A normal condition. No repair is
necessary.
DR