My 1995 dodge caravan will show high temp. on gauge after driving a few blocks. I changed the thermostat but it still does this. I drove it on highway and it overheated every time I went up a hill and then cooled down when descending. After 27 miles of this I didn't want to chance it anymore. I pulled over and the lines didn't seem to be pushing any antifreeze. However, in order to make it 27 miles they had to have cooled the engine down some. Can a water pump be a hit or miss device. I thought if your pump was good than it worked and if it was bad then it didn't.

I had the same problems and I replaced the thermostat and nothing changed. I actually changed it twice. Then I had a leaking problem and I changed me water pump and that helped for the longest time. I soon found out that I had a leaking head gasket. So I am going to guess that yours might be a leaking head gasket or Cracked head. I could be wrong, but you might want to check it out!

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Originally Posted by adam_89

I had the same problems and i replaced the thermostat and nothing changed. I actually changed it twice. Then i had a leaking problem and i changed me water pump and that helped for the longest time. I soon found out that I had a leaking head gasket. So i am going to guess that yours might be a leaking head gasket or Cracked head. I could be wrong, but you might want to check it out!

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Upon further review of the van I think it may be the pump. I took the thick hose off before the thermostat and let the van idle. The pump pushed out about 15 oz of fluid for a couple seconds and then stopped for about a minute before shooting some more out. It keeps stopping and shooting in short bursts. Is this how they are supposed to operate?

I don't think they are supposed to. Like you said before, I think they work or they don't work. Something may be clogged somewhere. Have you checked all you lines?