Q: My Dodge Avenger is running hot intermittently. New thermostate, coolant has been flushed for air pockets.

asked by on March 19, 2018

My car is running hot intermittently. New thermostat and the coolant has been flushed several times for air pockets. The radiator was checked and is good and I was told the water pump is good. This was by the guys at Jiffy Lube. They said they couldn't see any reason why it was running that way and to take it to a full-on mechanic. It runs at midway mostly, the starts to creep up to 3/4. Will stay there momentarily and then drop back down. Goes back to midway if I pop it into neutral at a red light.

My car has 119000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

A scan tool should be applied to measure the actual engine operating temperature. Gauge and/or temperature sensor/sending unit malfunctions have to be ruled out. if the car is in fact overheating, a plugged radiator, a faulty radiator pressure cap, collapsed hoses, non functioning cooling fans, and a faulty water pump or drive belt are among the causes. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket, poor engine running condition or exhaust blockages can also cause overheating. If you desire that this overheating problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Brake lights don't work on 1994 Volvo 960
Hello. It sounds like you need a brake switch replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-light-switch-replacement). These switches are a common failure. I usually test the switch with an ohm meter, which will tell me if it is bad. There are also other parts of...
Battery dead, car won't start
Hello. The best thing to do is have a battery shop perform a "load test" on the battery. That is very standard procedure. The battery has to be in a fully charged state (they can do that, too) before such...
Blown head gasket?
Hi, thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, white smoke in the exhaust, overheating and rough running all point to engine coolant getting into the combustion chamber. This is generally caused by a crack in the head or block or more commonly...
My car's oil cooler line is leaking antifreeze
Hello. From what you describe, it appears that you are being provided with conflicting information. Oil cooler lines will usually leak oil, as oil is what flows through those lines. If the engine is leaking coolant, then it is either...
Shift lever locked - 2006 Volvo S40
Hi there. The shifter in your vehicle has a lock solenoid that locks the shifter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/shifter-interlock-solenoid-replacement) in Park until the key is in the ignition and the power is turned on. You will need to remove the shifter from the...
Why does my Car idle at 1500 and struggle to go faster than 25mph.
When the check engine light (CEL) illuminates, and stays on, you should have the engine problem diagnosed in a check engine light diagnostic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection). An illuminated CEL means that the computer controlling the engine has detected a fault or faults....
My alternator is dropping charge. Is there any other option other than replacing it?
This may suggest that the failing voltage regulator may not be working properly. The voltage regulator is a unit that regulates the charging of the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-will-not-hold-a-charge-inspection) by the alternator. When the voltage regulator is not working properly, this may...
So my windshield wipers get stuck in upright position and won’t go back down what could this be?
The windshield wiper system uses a small electric motor to move the wiper arms that you see on the windshield. That electric motor is controlled through a switch, relay, fuse, and wiring. One, or more, of those electrical components has...
Have a 1994 f150 2 door. Power steering whine for about 2 years. Finally decided to go to Autozone and get a new pump. Put it on a
I've been down that road a few times with other types of cars. You have taken the correct first steps, and I presume you are using the correct factory recommended fluid. If your truck has a pressure relief valve that...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Durango
The The 2012 Dodge Durango is a more fuel efficient SUV yet still provides all of the room and power you need. The Durango can tow up to 7,400 pounds making it perfect for family outings and carrying lots of...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mazda Tribute
2011 2011 marked the final year of production for the Mazda Tribute, a compact SUV that shared a platform with certain Ford models. The Tribute managed to combine relative affordability with decent performance and a modicum of comfort while driving...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Vet
The The best car for a vet to own largely depends on the type of practice he or she has. Large animal vets are probably going to want something that delivers a fair bit of power, and possibly even towing...