Stupid Question...Is my Viper Rinning too Hot?

[CarDude]

I just purchased my Viper in January (new). Its a 2001 ACR and it has 1350 miles on it now. I was driving it on Saturday, and the temperature gauge was in between the red (overheat area) and the last tick mark. When I drive it I am so worried it is going to overheat. I am sure you are wondering why I haven't brought it to the dealer yet; the car only gets this hot when it is above 80 degrees outside. Lately, our weather has been a bit unpredictable, so I want to make sure it is hot outside before I take it in. Later in the summer it will get in the 90s quite often, so I hope to solve the problem before then...

Has anyone had this same problem?

 

[SapphireGTS]

Is it half way inbetween? Or it it just above the 190 tick? Mine did that for a while then it would peg into the orange and my coolant would boil. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the Waterpump and the T-stat.

You may have a problem like that. Or it may need burped.

 

[CarDude]

It is in between the last mark and the red, just millimeters from the red "overheating area".

 

[genXgts]

your in the 2001 waterpump range, that seems hot flirting with the pegged tick mark, not good, I'd look into it!!

Once things are settled down for good measure toss in some Redline Water Wetter and considering lower your glycol mix in the rad system and picking up the slack with distilled water. I run 75/25 and notice a cooler run on my switch.

In the winter I dope it up for freezing properties and then flush entirely every spring, forced maintainence!!!

good luck,

 

[SapphireGTS]

Thats too hot. Mine did that for a while then it just pegged whenever I drove it.

Mine would idle ok but when I would drive it the temp would peg. It seems that the water pump was doing its job at idle but when torque would be applied to the input shaft on the impeller it would just spin inside the impeller. Then I would stop and the temp would go back to normal.

Id take it to the dealer. I put it off and am lucky I didnt blow up my engine.
I think its primarily a problem with Sapphire Vipers (just kidding)

I dont know why these stupid cars have so many cooling problems. Its not like water cooled engines are a new technology or anything.

 

[Russ M]

Definatly a problem, take it in NOW.

 

[SapphireGTS]

 

[ledfoot]

sounds like an 01 waterpump issue to me.

 

[CarDude]

Well I did get it to run hot at the dealer, so I can at least prove it was running hot. It registered 235 degrees on the hand held. And I think it was barely 80 degrees yesterday. They said they would call Dodge to see what kind of repair the Viper Tech should try. I hope they do the waterpump and the thermostat. Typically dealers will do the easy things and just make you come back several times until it is fixed. With the waterpump being a known issue I would think they should do those things first, as it heats up while driving at higher rpms, even at highway speeds. Almost like the water impeller is slipping at the higher RPMs.

 

[Ulysses]

Before you replace anything, make sure that there is sufficient water/coolant in the overflow bottle in the facia and that there is no air in the lines. If that checks out then proceed with the appropriate repairs. No need changing something out if you don't have to.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Just a simple little additional thought for the tech. Make sure the fan is operating.I know this sounds very simple , but we have had 2 instances in the past 2-3 years where the fan was simply unplugged. Check it out and hang in there.

 

[Marv S]

is this the temp when you are on the highway or in stop and go traffic or both?

 

[CarDude]

Before you replace anything, make sure that there is sufficient water/coolant in the overflow bottle in the facia and that there is no air in the lines. If that checks out then proceed with the appropriate repairs. No need changing something out if you don't have to.

Air in the lines is possible, but the car never officially overheats. It just gets extremely hot. Not to mention, it cools down at idle (go figure). So it only runs hot during higher RPMS. Again even when it is getting sufficient air flow to the radiator. Just so strange it cools down at idle...

Just a simple little additional thought for the tech. Make sure the fan is operating.I know this sounds very simple , but we have had 2 instances in the past 2-3 years where the fan was simply unplugged. Check it out and hang in there.

Yes fans kick on at about 210 degrees, and if the AC is on.

 

[Ulysses]

210 sounds a little high. Is that the computer readout or as indicated by the gauge? These things are supposed to kick the fan on at about 190 Deg. I once ran the facia bottle dry (a little hole on the bottom was the cause) causing air to get into the system. It got extremely hot at high RPMs, but cruise speed and idle brought the temps back to a little above normal.

 

[CarDude]

They tested my gauge and it was right on the money. So as far as I can see around 210 is the temp it turns on. Viper tech said he thought the fans were suppose to come on at around 212. Funny that is so close to the overheating area, which I think is around 240-250.

 

[V10 MOJO]

too hot, get it in the shop

 

[Ron]

Don't know where the anti-corrosive properties of antifreeze become too diluted to function, but I'd be cautious about too low of a ratio.

Corroding your engine isn't a good trade for cooler running. Better to fix the underlying cause. For what it's worth, Dex-Cool does have better heat transfer properties vs. traditional green coolant.

 

[GaryA]

The fan usually kicks in at 210 degrees. I've checked this with numerous Vipers.