Hey Grease Monkey
I'm a small engine mechanic , gave up on cars in 86 ,

Question , my mother in law has a 89 dodge caravan.
When she stops and sets at an idle it heats up.
Her mechanic has replaced thermostat and some hoses he said was leaking.
But didn't help .
I asked him if the fan was coming on , and could it be a fan relay or a sending unit not letting the fan , whick would cause it to over heat when sitting still .
He told me to stick to lawn mowers because I didn't know what I was talking ,
Anyway my mother in law is bringing her van to my shop tomorrow . I told her if it got hot to kick the air on and that should make the fan come on , and cool it down.
Any ideas would help on what to look for.
Thanks DG

You are right on target. Check Item 3 in the link below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post235973

Tell your mother-in-law to get a new mechanic.

Thanks for the advice .

Hey grease monkey,
Fan works I let it sit and run for an hour no over heat.
Shut the hood , heated up in about five minutes,check radiator fins clear , held light behind it ,
Pressured up system at 13 lbs . Held good .
Was told there was white smoke coming from exhaust pipe , I never saw this.
Opened hood and ran again no problem ,
I;m thinking maybe head gasket.
What do you think ,

Does the radiator shroud seal tightly? If there's white smoke, the head may have warped, due to overheating, which caused the head gasket to go.