Durango HELP!!!

[BWilson]

As if my day couldn't get any worse, the wife called and the Durango (1999, 5. 7L) has overheated. Upon inspection, it's really hot!!!! I assume that the thermostat is tuck as the fluid levels are all fine. I pull the thermostat, re-assemble it, and presto!! NOT, it pegs the temp gage at 260 within a minute. It seems to me like a blown head gasket or a cracked head. I have had to add coolant to it a few times since we bought it. Not a lot, but a half gallon a year or so. Never could see any leaks. Has anyone else had these problems?

 

[RustyJC]

With the radiator cap off, are you seeing any coolant circulation in the radiator? If not, the new thermostat could be bad, the water pump impeller could be spinning on the shaft, the system could be air-locked, etc. Is the thermal fan clutch working? Is the electric fan coming on when the A/C is on? Do you see any evidence of ethylene glycol on the engine oil dipstick?



If it were my wife's 2000 Durango 5. 9L, I'd certainly do some more troubleshooting before pulling heads!



Rusty

 

[BWilson]

I am definitely going to do some serious troubleshooting tonight, I was just trying to get some extra ideas in case I run into some dead ends. Not to mention, it's driving me nuts sitting here at work knowing I have to go get it tonight and begin working on it.



I'll let you know what I find out tonight.

 

[MMeier]

Good luck !

 

[tpuig]

BWilson, you might want to check out the DOC (Durango Owner's Club). While nowhere near as helpful as the TDR, it's a nice group of folks. I'm not sure whether you mean the 5. 2 or 5. 9 for your '99, but each has a couple problems. Sometimes up to total engine failure. I traded my 50k problem free '99 SLT+ Durango 4x4 for the '03 Cummins, and never looked back. I really liked my D, too. Anyway, there are bound to be other folks with similar problems or experiences. Take a peek at

http://www.durangoclub.com/ceilidh/ceilidh.html

Hope this helps, or at least gives you a decent starting point.

TP

 

[jrobinson2]

My brothers Y2k 5. 9 Durango 4x4 lost the water pump around 55,000 miles and the fan clutch at about 75,000. The fan clutch has not been replaced yet and it has to be watched close in Vegas traffic jams, 112* with A/C on max stresses it a bit

Jared

 

[gitchesum]

You might also have the radiator cleaned out. I've heard of a couple that were all clogged up.

 

[BWilson]

It's a 5. 9. I worked on a friends CK1500 all weekend (hence the 5. 7 comment, pesky metrics... )



Does anyone know how to get codes out of this thing? I tried the key on / key off routine but it didn't work. When I go out to start it, the temp gage is already pegged at 260° F before it even starts and the engine will barely run, so it has to have some error codes. I plan on running a compression test today too.

 

[RustyJC]

If the temp gauge is pegged with a cold engine, it might well just be the temperature sender or wiring that's failed. That would probably put the engine into a "limp" mode as well. Without the codes, it's hard to tell. Do you have a MIL (Check Engine) indication?



Rusty

 

[BWilson]

The only gage that stays lit is the chack gages. Not even a check engine light. Looks like I have to buy a code scanner... ... .

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by BWilson

The only gage that stays lit is the chack gages. Not even a check engine light. Looks like I have to buy a code scanner... ... .

Shouldn't have to buy one unless you want one. If you have an AutoZone close by, They should have one that they wil let you use to check/clear codes. That's what my dad did for his van. No charge.

 

[BWilson]

Sorry this took so long to post but you guys aren't going to beleive this... ... .



A lousy temperature sensor. The entire top of the sensor wasn't even connected to the bottom. It was just sitting there. It didn't show any codes or anything. Not to mention it would hardly run for me to put it on the trailer. I guess the PCM was retarding timing and dropping cylinders to try to "cool" it off even though it wasn't really too hot.



Thanks for all the replies and the help. I got better advice here (as usual) than I did from the Durango forum!!



Not a surprise!!

 

[RustyJC]

Glad it was something cheap (relatively speaking)!



Rusty

 

[BWilson]

$14. 99 + coolant. I changed the thermostat and gasket since I was right there.



All is well, mama's happy again!

 

[dresslered]

Upon inspection, it's really hot!!!!

This was the part that confused me! I thought that you meant that things were actually glowing! Glad that it worked out.



P. S. My wife loves here 1999 Durango!

 

[BWilson]

After I replaced the sensor and began flushing the cooling system I really tried to get it hot. It never went over 210 and when I felt the hoses, They were really HOT!! But I guess really hot to the bare hand is under 210!!!