# Overheats after 30 miles

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** dodge, stratus\
**Created:** [October 29, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758 "2009-10-29T04:09:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FargoSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/67e7ee/32.png) [@FargoSam](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FargoSam)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758/1 "2009-10-29T04:09:05Z")

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I’ve been offered a 2003 Dodge Stratus 4cyl w/150K miles that has been well-kept but current owner says engine overheats after 30-40 miles of driving. He’s checked with 3 shops, replaced radiator but still can’t resolve. I can buy for $350.00…should I?

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758/2 "2009-10-29T04:11:25Z")

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If you have to count on the shops in your area, you can’t buy it.

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**Author:** ![FargoSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/67e7ee/32.png) [@FargoSam](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FargoSam)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758/3 "2009-10-29T04:16:08Z")

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what area would that be? I’m in NJ

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758/4 "2009-10-29T04:31:53Z")

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Who replaced the radiator, the car’s owner or one of the shops?

You said he “checked with three shops,” but that doesn’t mean he actually took the car to a repair shop.

More detail, please.

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**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758/5 "2009-10-29T04:39:05Z")

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Is it in otherwise good shape?

Price out doing a headgasket-- that’s probably the worst case scenario. If $350 plus whatever it’ll cost to do a headgasket is worth it, maybe. The whole situation sounds a little fishy to me, though.

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**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheats-after-30-miles/38758/6 "2009-10-29T04:40:46Z")

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Only if you want a hobby.