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SOME NEW INFO
Was at Autozone, looking for one of those chemical testy kits for the head gasket. They didn't have one, but car dude was looking at the engine and happened to touch the radiator cap. It was stone cold. I had just driven it all the way from work, about 25 minutes, and let it sit running for about 10 minutes while he had been looking at it. And the radiator cap was cold. I felt it too, and it should have been boiling lava hot, but it was not. It was as cold as if it had been sitting overnight.
Google and AutoZone guy say that this is indicative of a circulation problem, which is indicative of a water pump failure. According to the Haynes book, the water pump would be leaking into the timing cover on this particular car, so I wouldn't necessarily be seeing antifreeze running out anywhere.
They told me of a mechanic shop nearby who works on Dodge exclusively, and does not actually work for Dodge. I'll take it to him tomorrow and let him check it out, since he won't try sell me a car like Dodge will (even though they already said they won't sell me a car). AutoZone guy also checked the oil and exhaust, and said that neither one indicated head gasket problems (but that it still needed to be tested by a professional).
I have high hopes that it is indeed the water pump.
*hope*hope*hope*
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