My freind has a 99 durango with the 5.2l v8. He dropped it off so i could change the head gaskets for him but when i went to move it it wouldnt start and it seems like the timing is way off. He said that he would start it but had to keep the gas pedal to the floor to get it going. What problems am i looking at getting into to get this running correctly again. I figure on a new timing chain, new head gaskets, have the heads resurfaced. He also drove it from west virginia to close to cleveland ohio with it overheating.Thanks for any help and advise.

 

Hello,

You happend to post in the wrongs section. Let me move your thread over to the 1st generation Durango section (1998-2003). There are some great techs over there and this is the 2nd generation 2004 Thru -

 

Welcome to the forum,

Its hard to say at this point what you "may" be looking at. We really don't know how hot he got it nor how long did he drive it while over heating. You do not want to overheat one of these very long, or at all far as that goes. You could be looking at cracks in the heads and and other damage depending how hot and how long he drove it. The feeling like the timing is off probably is cause of low compression and the plugs are fouled cause of the antifreeze/oil. Need to pull the heads off and start from there, let us know what ya find.

Another issue you need to be concerned with is why it over heated? need to take care of this as well..

 

i will add, what if anything does the onboard diagnostics say.... hopefully something more than -overheat...thats where I would start

 

I bet he blew the rings. You would do a complete rebuild.

For a head gasket you would have to rebuild the heads, replace timing chains and head gaskets. I will attach some great information:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...et-issues.html

 

hydrashocker - think positive thoughts
... new thermostat -a head gasket and 2 gallons coolant...

 

True.......LOL

Guess I'm just a negative person.