Temp Problems and Bad Dealers
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,228
Likes: 19
From: Riverton, UT
siotow<------ I moved your thread to here: This is a redirection post.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...et-issues.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...et-issues.html
'99 5.2L 2wd Durango cooling system questions
My Daughter took a little video of coolant blasting out from the front drivers side of her car after she parked, it was a very hot day in Atlanta, luckily she hadn't driven far. After breaking it all down I found that the thermostat wasn't doing it's thing (I've posted in my notes below if anyone sees a problem with any of that please let me know).
I had done much reading on this forum, thanks to all for the good advice. I have a couple of questions, probably common sense to ya'll. I filled the system as much as it would take cold (the bleeder in the t-stat seems to help a lot), about 1 gal as I recall. Started it up with heater running, it took another gal. Knowing, or thinking I knew it should take about 3.5 gal, I poured nearly another gal into the overflow.
1. Should I leave that gal in the overflow? I'm assuming it will be consumed.
2. I'm assuming an overtemp light should have come on? My daughter claims she didn't see it.
3. Should I have put some lock tight on the fan when I reinstalled? don't feel real confident in how tight I got it with my jury rigged pipe wrench and only the belt to hold the pulley.
4. What's with the clutch fan anyway, what purpose does it serve?
Thanks for any insight.
6/18/2010 140, 700 miles
Original problem: overflow tank expelled large qty of fluid after car parked on a very hot day. Found non functioning thermostat, placed in water, brought to boil, opened very little, new thermostat tested in same way opened approx ˝” at expected lower temp. Replaced water pump with new GMB Part No 120-3041 , all parts bought at Advance at 4085 hwy 29. Remove lower plastic, remove fan and shroud at same time. To remove fan, drilled hole in pulley, inserted screwdriver to hold in place while loosening with small pipe wrench with handle extension. Drain radiator; plug pulls out steeply while loosening. If done again get spanner wrench, will be shaped like a big V with pins on the ends. To remove / disconnect bypass hose, remove compressor unbolt compressor/alternator bracket and move aside (leaving A.C. lines intact). Used Permatex water pump gasket material on gasket included with pump, used entire one small tube. Replaced thermostat with StantThermostatPart No 13008 Opening Temp: 180 Degree. Drilled 1/8” hole in thermostat to allow bleed during filling. OEM is 195 degrees, used lower temp because of vehicle age and warmer climate. There is a possibility of longer warm up time in cold weather or emissions being higher as engine doesn’t get hot enough to burn off. Replaced top, bottom and bypass hoses. Refilled with PrestoneDEX-COOL® Extended LifeAntifreeze/Coolant. took 2 gal to fill (mixed 50/50 with distilled water). Added 3rd gal to overflow reservoir as system spec is 14 qts? Vehicle temp gage needle barely touches the number 210 (well below 210 degrees), covers the number 2 on 15 mile highway test drive in 90 + degree temp. After drive, radiator and overflow still full.
Also replaced Belt Tensioner with Dayco Automatic Belt Tensioner, Light DutyPart No. 89215 . To remove, take off 3 bolts that hold on its bracket. Top bolt has ground wire attached which broke during removal. Added brass nut to allow service access for future.
I had done much reading on this forum, thanks to all for the good advice. I have a couple of questions, probably common sense to ya'll. I filled the system as much as it would take cold (the bleeder in the t-stat seems to help a lot), about 1 gal as I recall. Started it up with heater running, it took another gal. Knowing, or thinking I knew it should take about 3.5 gal, I poured nearly another gal into the overflow.
1. Should I leave that gal in the overflow? I'm assuming it will be consumed.
2. I'm assuming an overtemp light should have come on? My daughter claims she didn't see it.
3. Should I have put some lock tight on the fan when I reinstalled? don't feel real confident in how tight I got it with my jury rigged pipe wrench and only the belt to hold the pulley.
4. What's with the clutch fan anyway, what purpose does it serve?
Thanks for any insight.
6/18/2010 140, 700 miles
Original problem: overflow tank expelled large qty of fluid after car parked on a very hot day. Found non functioning thermostat, placed in water, brought to boil, opened very little, new thermostat tested in same way opened approx ˝” at expected lower temp. Replaced water pump with new GMB Part No 120-3041 , all parts bought at Advance at 4085 hwy 29. Remove lower plastic, remove fan and shroud at same time. To remove fan, drilled hole in pulley, inserted screwdriver to hold in place while loosening with small pipe wrench with handle extension. Drain radiator; plug pulls out steeply while loosening. If done again get spanner wrench, will be shaped like a big V with pins on the ends. To remove / disconnect bypass hose, remove compressor unbolt compressor/alternator bracket and move aside (leaving A.C. lines intact). Used Permatex water pump gasket material on gasket included with pump, used entire one small tube. Replaced thermostat with StantThermostatPart No 13008 Opening Temp: 180 Degree. Drilled 1/8” hole in thermostat to allow bleed during filling. OEM is 195 degrees, used lower temp because of vehicle age and warmer climate. There is a possibility of longer warm up time in cold weather or emissions being higher as engine doesn’t get hot enough to burn off. Replaced top, bottom and bypass hoses. Refilled with PrestoneDEX-COOL® Extended LifeAntifreeze/Coolant. took 2 gal to fill (mixed 50/50 with distilled water). Added 3rd gal to overflow reservoir as system spec is 14 qts? Vehicle temp gage needle barely touches the number 210 (well below 210 degrees), covers the number 2 on 15 mile highway test drive in 90 + degree temp. After drive, radiator and overflow still full.
Also replaced Belt Tensioner with Dayco Automatic Belt Tensioner, Light DutyPart No. 89215 . To remove, take off 3 bolts that hold on its bracket. Top bolt has ground wire attached which broke during removal. Added brass nut to allow service access for future.
