# 2003 Dodge Dakota - Temp spikes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dodge\ **Created:** [November 3, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024 "2019-11-03T02:09:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fishinfool24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@fishinfool24](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fishinfool24)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/1 "2019-11-03T02:09:12Z")
My 2003 Dodge Dakota with 158,000 miles recently had an issue with a spiking temperature gauge followed by radiator hose blowout. I replaced the hose, refilled the coolant, drove for a couple of miles and the temperature gauge spiked again. I had the car towed to a trusted mechanic and he said there is a leak in the head gasket area with possible valve damage. He is quoting me about $3500 to repair the car. I am torn, this has been a reliable truck for 16 yrs. Is it worth sinking the money into the car or should I say goodbye and use the money for a newer car. Thanks for your input. Fishinfool24 (aka Kevin) ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/2 "2019-11-03T02:47:50Z")
I’d junk it and get something newer ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2019, 10:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/3 "2019-11-03T10:27:30Z")
If the rest of the truck is in really good shape, I’d spend another $1,500 or so and put a rebuilt engine in it. I can’t see spending that much just to do the heads. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/4 "2019-11-04T13:58:00Z")
Has the thermostat been replaced? ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/5 "2019-11-04T20:22:20Z")
I can’t see spending that much on a 16-year-old Dodge. If you can afford a new vehicle, it’s time to move on. ---
**Author:** ![fishinfool24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@fishinfool24](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fishinfool24)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/6 "2019-11-04T20:36:28Z")
Hello, no the thermostat has not been replaced. The mechanic did a head gasket test which failed. The way he described the test was the connect a tube with some chemical and if they see “products of combustion” in the tube then they know there is an issue with the head gasket. Someone else suggested I wipe the inside of the tailpipe to evaluate the color of any residue. If it was ashy gray that is normal. It if is an oily slop that’s not normal. I checked my tail pipe and it was a somewhat thick black, not oily but more like a thin black paste. I appreciate any additional insights you might be able to share. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/7 "2019-11-04T21:46:54Z")
Most of us don’t perform diagnostics by rubbing the finger in the tailpipe these days. The chemical test your mechanic performed is quite accurate when done correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-dodge-dakota-temp-spikes/152024/8 "2019-11-04T23:13:39Z")
Think which will be better, putting $3500 into this vehicle, or putting that $3500 into a new or newer vehicle. You may want to get an analysis of your Dakota before making that decision.