2001 dodge durango over heating problem

Some days ago my Durango 5.9 4x4 2000 was suddenly getting hot, after I sent it for mechanical inspection the preliminary conclusion is that I need to change the engine...something around US$2,500, not really funny!!
I do not know what to do, the market value is around $5,500....I am taking some time to think about..

My 2004 Durango since last year has been runnning hot although all winter it was fin. we've just had some real hot weather this week 6/8/08 and i can't even run the stupid truck. I already replaced the fan clutch flushed the entire system replaced the thermostat. i really sick of this over priced gas hound i can't even get ride of it. any other suggestions

I have a 2001 Dodge Durango and paid it off 2 months ago. Same problem, overheated and had it towed to Dodge Dealer. Replaced the upper radiator hose and thermostat and flushed the system. Drove home approx 25 miles and overheated once more, took it to place where I purchased because of my warranty I luckily purchased. Replaced fan clutch, relay, radiator, thermostat once more. Less than 20 miles driven again thermostat hit hot once again. Took back to shop, replaced sensor and told me that they overfilled the overflow. Drove next couple of days less than 25 miles and one morning noticed antifreeze leaking. Next day while I could took back to shop the temperature gauge shot up to hot and overheated. The shop is stifled and they currently had taken to another local dodge dealer to perform a diagnosis. Fourth time in the shop and not fixed yet. Though the shop say they tested the head gaskets and were fine. I will have to wait and see what the dealer says. Side note.. here are other things replace in 5 years and less than 40,000 miles driven: torque converter (Engine light came on in dash). Engine seals leaked and repaired, freeze plugs replaced. Thermostat replaced(4) times.

I have a 2001 with 4.7L engine. Same problem, when the A/C is on or if it is off and am towing the pop-up, once I ask for more power to the point that the transmission downshifts, it is all over, the temp goes past the point of no return, and she never recovers. When it cools enough and I can remove the cap without losing and coolant [normally the next morning] the top hose is empty of coolant and it takes anywhere from a quart to a half gallon to top it off. the top hose is new, the cap is new, the overflow tube is tightly clamped on and the coolant reservoir is at the proper level. The oil does not have water in it, there is no white smoke [steam] coming from the tailpipe. I may have to have the radiator rodded out, there may be a small enough internal leak to a cylinder that only the cooling system is affected. Seems to be a common problem, anyone have a contact to Lee Iacocca?

My 2003 dodge began overheating last summer. I changed the cap and the thermostat and it still overheated, till the point it fried the engine. $7,ooo.oo for new engine and 1 year later it is doing the same thing again.SCREW DODGE i will never buy one again.

These engines are crap!!! Mine just siezed up this week. It is likely you have a blown head gasket. I changed everything in the cooling system and it still kept overheating. Then without any indication it quit running while I was driving down the interstate. That is when I found out about the gasket. Good luck and next time don't buy a dodge.

I have a 2002 1500 with the 4.7L. Sets # 3 misfire code. I guess so with coolant all over the spark plug. I have no real desire to take it to my local dodge dealership.Will have a long conversation with dodge on Monday . Will never buy another dodge again. Should have stayed with the Nissans much better service life.

Diane wrote:

It over heats if I go over 30 miles, then after it over heats once it continues for weeks. we have replaced the thermostat, flush the radiator, radiator cap. at one time it had a bad throttle senor.
Any idea's?

Here is a typical problem with the basic Durango design. The thermostat housing at the bottom of the engine is made of plastic. The overheating can cause this plastic housing to warp. When you replace the thermostat and tighten the housing you will see gaps around where the housing meets the engine block. Under pressure it can cause fluid to leak out of the sides and over time will leak enough fluid the radiator will be low and again overheat.

have 5.9 2000 dodge durango love truck but started overheating changed upper and lower hoses new thermostat new water pump flushed radiator went 35 miles yesterday overheated let cool brought it back 35 miles overheated again let cool went 5 miles red lined what can it be not loosing water none in oil radiator fluid isnt bubbly or milky anyone know im stuck?

I just got my 2001 Durango 7 months ago from a small dealership. So my warranty is out and I still owe 3 more years on my car. I had the radiator replaced,the water pump,the thermostat twice, and it is still over heating. The Dodge dealership is saying it doesn't seem like the heads. I can tell from all the responses above is I am screwed and I will be paying on a car for three years I can't drive and I have no other car.

My DD 5.9, 2003, same problem as everyone else. Replaced thermostat x 2, electric fan, fan clutch, radiator, radiator hoses, flushed everything, etc. Still overheats.$3300 at Christian Bros and another $1700 at new mechanic. Still overheats!!!!. Now the head is warped!!!!. Still overheats!!!

tom in connecticut wrote:

My 2004 Durango since last year has been runnning hot although all winter it was fin. we've just had some real hot weather this week 6/8/08 and i can't even run the stupid truck. I already replaced the fan clutch flushed the entire system replaced the thermostat. i really sick of this over priced gas hound i can't even get ride of it. any other suggestions

I just had a repair done on my 2005 durango. The mechanics pressure tested it and found out that my radiator cap leaked. Unfortunately it took them seven times of being in the shop to get it repaired to figure this out.If they find that everything else if fine on your vehicle have them replace your radiator cap.

Never a Dodge again Utah wrote:

I have a 2001 Dodge Durango and paid it off 2 months ago. Same problem, overheated and had it towed to Dodge Dealer. Replaced the upper radiator hose and thermostat and flushed the system. Drove home approx 25 miles and overheated once more, took it to place where I purchased because of my warranty I luckily purchased. Replaced fan clutch, relay, radiator, thermostat once more. Less than 20 miles driven again thermostat hit hot once again. Took back to shop, replaced sensor and told me that they overfilled the overflow. Drove next couple of days less than 25 miles and one morning noticed antifreeze leaking. Next day while I could took back to shop the temperature gauge shot up to hot and overheated. The shop is stifled and they currently had taken to another local dodge dealer to perform a diagnosis. Fourth time in the shop and not fixed yet. Though the shop say they tested the head gaskets and were fine. I will have to wait and see what the dealer says. Side note.. here are other things replace in 5 years and less than 40,000 miles driven: torque converter (Engine light came on in dash). Engine seals leaked and repaired, freeze plugs replaced. Thermostat replaced(4) times.

sounds like either the coolant sensor or the cooling fan for the radiator. With the engine running, turn on the AC this should trigger the fan to turn on. If it does not turn on then first check the fuse. If fuse is good then it is the fan itself. Hope this helps - Tell those mechanics to get retrained!