My Durango's overheating (or not?)

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Búzios

Cadet
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Apr 7, 2002
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Hey folx...here's the scenario.<br /><br />My tow vehicle's a 2001 Durango SLT 4x4. I've got a 16ft Bayliner capri bowrider, which the Durango is able to tow with no problem. (plenty of torque and capacity)<br /><br />Well, I just got back from Vero Beach, a 120mile trip from Fort Lauderdale, and the whole time the temp was hovering near the 3/4 level (it doesn't indicate exact temps, only 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4). It was somewhat uncomfortable. <br /><br />So, against all advice, I turned the overdrive back on, lowering the RPMs, and thus lowering temps, albeit only slightly. I knew it was harder on the tranny, but I had to lower the temps somehow.<br /><br />Does my ride have to go to the shop or is this rise in temp normal for a trip towing the boat? I'd like your experiences/advice before taking it someplace for inspection.<br /><br />Thanks!
 
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ZmOz

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Aug 13, 2003
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Overdrive is not a problem as long as the tranny is not hunting back and forth for gears, and you're not lugging the engine. No, it shouldn't get that hot, a 16' boat should be nothing for a Durango. I would flush your radiator and check to make sure the fan clutch is working correctly.<br /><br />Edit: I tow my 16' Glastron with a 2001 Dakota frequently. Doesn't get any warmer than normal driving.
 
JB

JB

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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

No problem? Sounds like you do have a problem.<br /><br />Does your Durango have the towing package? Tranny cooler, HD cooling and alternator, high axle ratios, etc.?<br /><br />What, exactly, is your truck rated to tow? How much is "plenty of capacity"?<br /><br />Seems to me that a Durango should be rated plenty high enough to tow a 16' B'liner, but I am amazed at what some entry level compact and midsize trucks and UVs are actually rated for. No tranny cooler, minimum cooling, low axle ratios, etc.<br /><br />Verify that you really do have a truck rated high enough for your tow.<br /><br />If it does, you have a problem with something like your cooling system that is not performing as designed.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 
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TELMANMN

Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 9, 2003
Messages
465
Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Good to be concerned. First go get a Chiltons, Haynes manual etc. You could have a temp. sensor, bad radiator cap or worse. These manuals will tell you what to look for. <br /> In my years of stupidity I have had them all. It could be a bad head gasket(many problems with Chrylser products) or as simple as the radiator cap.<br /> The last time I had a problem(towing) was a faulty head gasket. It would not show up with a pressure test but when I finally convinced them to take a test( for hydrocarbons in the antifrezze) they figured out it was the head gasket. Go figure?<br /> Hope this helps.
 
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Richok

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Mar 16, 2004
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Buzios, where does the guage set when you are doing normal driving without the trailer? If you haven't check or changed the thermostat you could have one sticking. Make sure your belt isn't slipping also. I'm not familiar with Dodge. From here on is (IF). if it has a self tensioner check it to see if it is working correctly. I had one almost fall apart, caught it in time. Some fan clutches are two stage, I don't know how you check the second stage on these type. Some have electric to the clutch and you may or may not be getting proper current. Check the fins in your radiator to make sure you get good crossflow. No bugs and such. check weep hole in water pump to make sure your not leaking. You may or may not see fluid under the vehicle. I had one the other day that was leaking with a small stream but not large enough to pool on the drive. Good luck
 
B

Búzios

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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Originally posted by RichardinOK:<br /> Buzios, where does the guage set when you are doing normal driving without the trailer? If you haven't check or changed the thermostat you could have one sticking.
Click to expand...
My indicator is normally set at 1/2, always stays there, but during the trip rose to almost 3/4. <br /><br />I believe the capacity for the Durango is 5,000, out of the top of my head. I bought used and I'm not aware if it has a tow package. I will look into the tranny cooler as that's something I've had in my previous ride (Ranger). <br /><br />I know it's not worth throwing this in the argument but I've seen Durangos pullin pretty hefty loads...much larger than mine, but that point's moot if the Durango had a tow package.<br /><br />Thanks for all the replies, I figure it will be best to take a closer look at the cooling system, hopefully somehing minor!
 
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reference123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 18, 2004
Messages
118
Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

I use a 01 5.9 RT durango (tow capacity of 7300lbs) to pull a 24' rinker deck boat (almost 6700 pounds including trailer, fluids, gas, etc) or a 18' glastron speed boat up a canyon with pretty steep inclines on a regular basis. My temp stays almost exactly the same as it is during normal driving and even with the deck boat I can get some acceleration up the inclines if I want.<br /><br />I have the 3:91 axle ratio though and a factory tranny cooler as well as a class IV hitch. I think most if not all durangos came standard with some type of tow package. It does sound like you might want to call the shop and see what they think as it does not seem like it should impact your engine temp that much.
 
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Bradg

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Jun 25, 2004
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Check for debris between the rad and a/c condensor,<br />you will have to split them apart and clean between<br />then if plugged. I work at a Chevy dealer and see this alot.
 
TwoBallScrewBall

TwoBallScrewBall

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Sep 14, 2003
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

My truck stays at exactly 210 degrees, towing or not, and that's a 19 footer. I'd check out your cooling system before it lets go and you're replacing more than that...
 
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garycinn

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Oct 7, 2003
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

My D used to hover just shy of 1/2 (210*F) temp w/o towing and creep up several needles above while towing. I have the 5.9L and 3.92 rear w/ a 4K lb tow load load. I would always creep up while idling in traffic.<br /><br />Many on the www.durangoclub.com swear by putting in a 180* tstat.<br /><br />I decided to do it (and a cooland flush and fill) and now I hover at the 1/4 mark not towing and in 95* heat and 65mph towing up hills in 3rd gear I don't get to my old low point.<br /><br />I put the old tstat in boiling water (measured at 213*) and it did not open. <br /><br />I don't get the occasional pinging anymore with the 180* stat either. I do eat another 1mpg in gas though :( .<br /><br />Go to www.dodge.com and look for the customer service link. Email them your VIN and they will tell you the build sheet for your D. It will indicate tow package or not and what rear axle you have.<br /><br />Even with the 5.2L engine and 3.5 gears you are rated to 5K lbs towing.<br /><br />Also, a good way to determine whether a Durango has a factory tow package (tranny & PS cooler, HD cooling, alternator, etc.) is to look at the mirrors. If they are the large 6x9" rectangular with rounded corners (symmetrical), then it has the tow package. If it has the more tear drop / sport mirror, it does not. You can have a factory tow hitch and the sport mirrors which means you don't have the coolers.<br /><br />When it creeps up like that -- slow down -- to 50mph if you have to. You didn't indicate how fast you were running, the outside temp, what kind of gear/people you had, a cover on the boat, etc. They all factor in the equation.<br /><br />I would change the tranny fluid if you ran that hot for a while. It gets correspondingly hot as well.
 
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garycinn

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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Looking back at your post you say you are an '01. I think the only engines available were the 4.7 and the 5.9 -- I think the 5.2 was phased out of the D by then. The 4.7 is rated close to the same 5K range.<br /><br />You can check the bolts on the rear diff. They should have a metal tag on one of them -- 3.5 or 3.9.
 
keelhauled

keelhauled

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Oct 5, 2003
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Just an FYI...on the 4.7 the fan clutch does not fully lock until the gauge reaches 3/4. Found this out with my Dakota towing a way too heavy trailer from Ohio to Tenn. this summer. As long as you are not running past 3/4, I don't think you have much to worry about.<br /><br />Fan clutches on the V8 dakota/durangos are notorious for failure. If you're running at 3/4 temp, you should hear the fan roaring like a boeing 747 at liftoff. If you don't, have it checked.<br /><br />I tow a 18.5 foot bowrider with my dakota a couple times a week, with the a/c on, and a heavy right foot and it never climbs above half except on long hills. It's a bit hotter (ok, a lot hotter) in FL than it is in OH, so I bet that is a factor in your temp as well.<br /><br />On a side note, if you have a limited slip rear diff (most do) change the fluid often since you are towing. It's OK to use a full synthetic cuz then you don't have to buy the limited slip additive. These rear ends break down oil pretty darn quick and I've heard they aren't too cheap to replace!
 
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GatorMike

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Aug 3, 2003
Messages
902
Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Interesting discussion....I have reciently been towing my 19 footer with the wife's 5.9 L Durango and have noticed the temp goes up when towing. My F150 doesn't, must be a Dodge thing.
 
M

Maximerc

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 26, 2003
Messages
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Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Someone mentioned cleaning out the radiator ... YES YES YES My 2001 Durango was having pproblems with the A/C not performaing well , what a diffrence a little compressed air made !! And yes the D is rated up in the 4700 to 5000 pound range. I read somewhere that the fram on the Durango is twice as thick as the pickup. Not sure why ,, except it helps it hold up the fuel tank LOL
 
R

Reel Appeal

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 19, 2002
Messages
566
Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

Another area worth checking is the engine oil.If it is dirty/worn or low on oil,overheating may occur.
 
C

crazy charlie

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May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: My Durango's overheating (or not?)

To do a quick check---when the temp climbs with the overdrive off,turn on the heat and the fan full blast.Within a minute or two the temp should drop a bunch.If it does not then the problem is probably in the radiator or the thermostat.Clean,flush and replace the stat.The temp should also fall when the overdrive is off.If yours does the opposite then the vehicle has a problem.Make sure the brakes on the trailer are not sticking if it has them.Also be sure that the durango does not have anything non-factory added to it to impede the air flow in the front and lower part of the vehicle.Brush bars and ground effects packages will do this.I would also recommend synthetic oil on your next oil change.Charlie
 
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