2004 Dodge Stratus Logo
Posted on Aug 01, 2014
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

I have replaced the water outlet on my 2004 doge stratus twice what would be making this happen?

1 Answer

Tim Hofstetter

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Genius:

An expert who has answered 1,000 questions.

  • Dodge Master 1,406 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 01, 2014
Tim Hofstetter
Dodge Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Genius:

An expert who has answered 1,000 questions.

Joined: Nov 05, 2013
Answers
1406
Questions
0
Helped
378822
Points
4295

What's happening to it? Is it breaking? Is the gasket failing?

One thing that can eat gaskets in a hurry (UNBELIEVEABLY fast) is mixing two different kinds of antifreeze together. These days there are five different kinds of antifreeze, and they're not compatible with each other, and if you mix the wrong two together, they turn acidic and eat gaskets. I had one vehicle here that... I had to replace water pump gaskets every day for three days until I figured out that the antifreeze was two different types mixed together. I flushed & refilled with ONE type of antifreeze, and the problem went away entirely.

But... what's happening that YOU are replacing the water outlet?

  • 1 more comment 
  • ddispatchd20 Aug 01, 2014

    The plastic water outlet flange keeps breaking in the same spot like there's too much pressure busting it off the base stays on and the seal is tight but the top of the flange busts off it happens about every 3 to 4,000 miles!

  • Tim Hofstetter
    Tim Hofstetter Aug 01, 2014

    Ah! The only really rational explanation I can see for THAT one is mechanical stress, like perhaps the upper radiator hose is too short or the motor is moving too freely (like from a bad motor mount) under torque. The motor will rock under torque, especially with a manual transmission, as you accelerate and decelerate. It's that equal-and-opposite-reaction thing. If the motor can rock too far, it may be rocking so far that the upper radiator hose reaches the end of its flex and yanks on that neck, eventually stressing it so far that it breaks off. You might do well to check out the motor mounts carefully, even set the park brake & chock the wheels, then have someone rock the car back & forth (in gear) so you can watch the motor for unusually large movement.

  • Tim Hofstetter
    Tim Hofstetter Aug 01, 2014

    I assure you - there's no way it's building up enough coolant pressure to blow that thing apart - the radiator core would never stand up to that much pressure.

×

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

When i replace the water outlet housing on my 2004 stratus 2.7 is there anything than needs to be replaced under the housing

Having gone that far I would replace the thermostst (if it is there) as well because it will just as old and it is frustrating to do all that work and have to redo it all again at a later date especially if there are a few miles on the clock
0helpful
1answer

I got a 2001 doge stratus and i need to replace the water pump and i never done it before i got the part i jus need a outline of what i got to move to get to the part and how to put it on...

The water pump is driven by the timing belt. You will have to remove the crankshaft pulley and the timing cover. Once the pump is installed you will have to re-install the timing belt. A NEW timing belt is recommended and I always change them. there are "timing" marks on the crankshaft gear and the camshaft gear that need to be aligned and must be "dead on" to prevent serious engine damage. If your not comfortable doing this work I would have a professional do it as you don't want to do it wrong and risk damaging the engine to the point that it needs to be replaced.
0helpful
3answers

Coolant intake is damage leaking water car running hot it is a 2004 dodge stratus

thermostat housing was repalced on 2004 dodge stratus but is stil leaking from a hose. what could the problem be.
0helpful
3answers

My 2002 Dodge Stratus has been over heating off and on for over a year and we have replaced the thermostat twice and changed the water pump and it still overheats am I missing something? I just had the...

make sure thermostat switch working properly, the thermostate sensor sense the temperature and kick on the cooling fans on and off, also make sure both fans are working properly. assuming every thing is working properly, check the dip stick to make sure there is no water mix in the oil, another sign of leaking head gasket will also will cause the engine run a bit hotter than normal.
5helpful
1answer

I own a dodge 2004 stratus..i was having trouble getting the car to not overheat. Then recently; it suddenly died, and I havent been able to get it to fire since. It will turn over, but will not start. It...

CHECK ANTIFREEZE IN RADIATOR.IF LOW ADD COOLANT.CHECK FOR LEAKING RADIATOR HOSES AND WATER PUMP HOSE.ALSO CHECK RADIATOR FOR LEAKS.IF ALL GOOD NO RADIATOR LEAKS.REPLACE THERMOSTAT.IF STILL OVER HEATS AFTER REPLACING THERMOSTAT .CHECK COOLING FANS FOR OPERATION AND COOLANT SENSOR.ALSO CHECK TO MAKE SURE WATER PUMP WEEP HOLES IS NOT LEAKING.BECAUSE A BAD WATER PUMP CAUSES OVERHEATING ALSO.
0helpful
1answer

Oil change in a 96 stratus

96 stratus = 5W - 30

4 quarts without a filter change

4.5 quarts with a filter change .
0helpful
1answer

Stratus 2.4L Water Outlet?

Go to your dealer and drag the parts guy/girl out to your car and point at it. They may know it by a different name. Try thermostat housing.
Not finding what you are looking for?

130 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Dodge Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Arnie Burke
Arnie Burke

Level 3 Expert

7339 Answers

Are you a Dodge Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...