Hello everyone, my name is Eric. I live in Delaware. I came here desperately looking for help with an overheating issue with my 2012 3.6L Charger pursuit. I've had the car since last march, I absolutely the car. It only had 122k miles on it when I purchased it via marketplace. The gentleman I purchased it from was an air force mechanic. So knowing it was owned by the state (Virginia) & also by this gentleman, I felt it was properly maintained. As of the past month I've had it in the shop 4 times due to the overheating. 3 times at one shop & just last week to another shop. It has had the thermostat changed 3 times (I changed the 1st one) the reservoir changed, coolant changed & added (at both shops), engine oil cooler w/ sensors,intake gasket & the reservoir cap changed (again, at both shops). Yet she still is overheating. The 1st shop said it may be the head gasket while the 2nd shop says it doesn't seem to be the head gasket. Also after the last time she overheated, I noticed a tapping noise coming from the passenger side roughly around the cabin filter area when I shut the car off. This could be heard from the inside of the cab as well as under the hood. If anyone could give me an idea of what could possibly be the issue, I'd be nothing but grateful for the advice. I've already spent (borrowed) more than I can afford just to be back at square one. Thank you for your time.
cahalleric0411
Several things off the top of my head:
1) You have air in the system. Newer cars are notoriously hard to bleed properly. Most dealers use vacuum fill. You could try putting it up on ramps while you burp it.
2) Bad thermostat. It's almost impossible to get a good thermostat. The Mopar thermostat shows available, you can find them for around $50 from the various online Mopar stores. Part # is 5184977AI, which is the latest and greatest.
- Side note: if just the t-stat was replaced, it could be upside down. That will drive you crazy trying to find an overheating issue. If the entire assembly was replaced, but not a Mopar part, it could be slow or stuck closed.
3) You could have a radiator that doesn't hold pressure, or a faulty fan. The Pursuit should have dual electric 3-spd fans. Typically, they should come on around 215-217°. You don't want to see temps much higher than 230°. These are an all-aluminum engine.
4) If none of that proves to be the issue, then you need to start looking at the mechanical side. Are you losing coolant, and if so, where is it going? If you're getting exhaust gasses into the coolant, you've got a bad head gasket or cavitation in a liner. If you get white smoke out the exhaust, that's a head gasket. You should also check for external coolant leaks on the block, as they will sometimes seep prior to failing completely. Also, check for codes to see if there's any clues to be had there.
5) If you've lost a head gasket, I'd replace both sides. Replace the timing set while it's apart. If it's a cavitated liner (usually caused by using Dexcool in a Chrysler product), it's time to find a different engine for it, or a short block from ATK or Powertrain Products.
1) You have air in the system. Newer cars are notoriously hard to bleed properly. Most dealers use vacuum fill. You could try putting it up on ramps while you burp it.
2) Bad thermostat. It's almost impossible to get a good thermostat. The Mopar thermostat shows available, you can find them for around $50 from the various online Mopar stores. Part # is 5184977AI, which is the latest and greatest.
- Side note: if just the t-stat was replaced, it could be upside down. That will drive you crazy trying to find an overheating issue. If the entire assembly was replaced, but not a Mopar part, it could be slow or stuck closed.
3) You could have a radiator that doesn't hold pressure, or a faulty fan. The Pursuit should have dual electric 3-spd fans. Typically, they should come on around 215-217°. You don't want to see temps much higher than 230°. These are an all-aluminum engine.
4) If none of that proves to be the issue, then you need to start looking at the mechanical side. Are you losing coolant, and if so, where is it going? If you're getting exhaust gasses into the coolant, you've got a bad head gasket or cavitation in a liner. If you get white smoke out the exhaust, that's a head gasket. You should also check for external coolant leaks on the block, as they will sometimes seep prior to failing completely. Also, check for codes to see if there's any clues to be had there.
5) If you've lost a head gasket, I'd replace both sides. Replace the timing set while it's apart. If it's a cavitated liner (usually caused by using Dexcool in a Chrysler product), it's time to find a different engine for it, or a short block from ATK or Powertrain Products.
Two different opinions & 'may be this/may be that' doesn't inspire much in the way of confidence. Always diagnose first. If all air is expelled from the system & the system is leak-free, does 'air' keep reappearing?
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The 'ticking' may be a HVAC door actuator with a stripped plastic gear? Locate the noise source.
The 'ticking' may be a HVAC door actuator with a stripped plastic gear? Locate the noise source.
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