Overheating

The thermostat gaskets are notorious for failing and leaking coolant. Chrysler came out with a revised gasket which is "Red" in color to replace the old "Black/grey" gasket. Another area to look carefully at are is the Timing Cover gaskets (where it mates to the engine block), and the Intake manifold gaskets. A leak here is often misdiagnosed as a Thermostat housing gasket since a leak at any one of these will deposit coolant onto the top of the timing cover with drips down the sides. A freeze plug on the left (Drivers side) front of the engine block should also be inspected as wll as the water pump By-pass hose should also be inspected very closely, or if it is more than a few years old, replace it. If you have access to a cooling system pressure tester, use it. First wash off any signs of coolant and residue with clean water, warm the engine to operating temp. Then pressurize the cooling system and carefully inspect for leaks.

I have a 2004 Ram 1500 and after 3yrs it started over heating on a trip to the East coast. Make a long story short, I replaced thermostate, hoses, belt, water pump, temp sensors and still nothing. Last resort I had the radiator flow tested from a radiator shop and bingo no flow. Replaced it and problem gone. Some say it was cause of the type of anti-freeze that is used. It is the same type GM uses and they have had overheating problems for yrs. I hope this helps you and anyone that reads it

Fought the same situation...finally went to radiator shop...he said he has seen this a lot with this model...nothing but the orginal radiator is a bad design & easily plugs...replaced the radiator & all my problems instantly went a way...I am a happy man now!