I posted this first in the main forum, and got no feedback so far.
I am reposting here.
Well, I took the plunge. I bought a Durango after lurking for a while in these forums.
My greatest concern was the "oil sludge" problem, but decided to go for it anyway.
Year 2000; 4.7L engine; third row seat; 89K miles;4WD; it looks like it never left a garage.
Black leather, inmaculate interior, power everything. The seats look like no one ever sat on them. The very young guy (owner) told me it was his parents, and they gave it to him when he graduated from college. He said it uses too much gas for his taste (18MPG).
My wife fell in love with it the moment she saw it (this wasthe third durango we saw/drove/inspected that day). It was also the most expensive (6.5K) and with the least mileage.

I live near Raleigh, NC and would love to meet guys who know these vehicles well (I am a proficient shade tree mechanic). I worked with Mercedes and Mitsubishi vehicles, this is my second american car(ever)

Now here is my request to you guys:
1.- What do I need to look for
2.- What should I pay attention to at this mileage
3.- What should I fix before it breaks

I will post pictures soon.

 

if you are worried about the sludge, check the oil cap for sludge built up. But also check the intake manifold to make sure there is no oil buildup there also. From my reading in these forums and all the posts concerning this around the 4.7, the sludge may be caused by a bad intake manifold gasket where it can cause a small leak of antifreeze fluid to mix in with the oil (there was a TSB posted on this). That is why you have to check the intake manifold to make sure there is no oil or fluid buildup inside. You can easily find look by looking down the throttle body or even remove the throttle body to get a better picture. Temporary bandaid is frequent oil changes until this problem is resolved permanently.

If your 2000 model is a 4x4, check to see if this Durango had the ball joint recall performed. If not, you need this done. Just go to Dodge website and I think it is under owners or something and you can type in your vin to see if it had the service done.

If the previous owner cannot produce maintenance schedule paperwork, go ahead and change everything out. (oil, tranny, axle fluids, radiator flush, tune up, etc) so you can start fresh knowing you got all the basics covered.

Some sensors you may need to monitor and check and replace if neccessary:

Throttle position switch - for those little rpm surges and/or idling issues. (approx: $30-$40)

speed and transmission sensors - Sensors that monitor tranny speed, abs, speedometer. It is best to change both of these sensors out at the same time as both sensors with together. (approx: $60-$80 both sensors)

also at 89k, you may want to check the radiator. My radiator showed signs of fatigue (swollen) at the ends. So I had it replaced. But as you are located in an area that does not have high heat like Texas, you radiator may be okay.

 

Thanks for the feedback.





"VIN Number:
1B4HS28N2 YFxxxxxx
Vehicle Description:
DODGE DURANGO 4X4 SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Model Year:
2000
No Incomplete Recalls or Customer Satisfaction Notifications Exist"

I guess all the recalls were done on the vehicle.

I can handle the changing of all fluids without a problem.

"That is why you have to check the intake manifold to make sure there is no oil or fluid buildup inside. You can easily find look by looking down the throttle body or even remove the throttle body to get a better picture."

Is that simple to diagnose/findthe sludge? that is great. Will check this evening the oil cap, the rest will need to wait for the weekend.

 

its crazy to the see different mileage that people have on their vehicle... I have pretty much the identical vehilce you have, but with 285,000km (~180,000mi)

even at this point, I don't have many issues... Nothing that would cause me to sell it...

 

deerang,
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I certainly want to have this truck for many years to come.
Have you ever seen any sludge on yours?
I Will be checking for the "sludge" as per Kensai'smethod.

I just realize the truck also hasa compass, outside temperature, and trip odometeron the rearview mirror. That is so cool. It also has the factory alarm and remote locks.

 

I have never seen sludge on mine.. It doesnt consume any coolant, and I change myown oil and its always come out brown, once black (ooops,definately forgot about it for a lil too long)..

Your trip computer is on the mirror? I have the overhead console thing.. I didnt know you could get it on the mirror in 2000... I didnt even know that was an option withthe first gen...

 

OOoopsss... U R right is in the console thingy, not the mirror. The mirror has this "auto" thing with sensors. I need to read the manual. The original owner ordered everything under the sun, with the exception of the sun itself (no sunroof).

 

Wished the 1st gen can have sunroof but because of the overhead console and the A/C mounted just behind it, no place for sunroof.