I have a 2002 Durango 4 x 4 4.7L with 78,000 miles. Recently the car began overheating when I sat at the bus stop waiting for the kids. My brother changed out the thermostat after doing a pressure check to make sure there were no leaks. Yesterday I started the car and there is a bubbling/boiling noise coming from up front. Any ideas what it might be?

P.S. The overheating seems to have stopped, however I did notice my temperature gage going a little higher after driving for a while last week. I turned on the heat and it dropped back down.

 

Did your brother burp the engine? If not, here's how:
1: Park at a slight incline so that the upper radiator hose is the highest point.
2: Wait for the engine to cool down before opning the radiator cap.
3: Unscrew the orange-colored allen bolt where the hose meets the engine. Do not unscrew all the way just enough to be loose.
4: Turn on the engine and watch for the coolant flowing past the cap.
5: Slowly add coolant until you see it leaking from the allen bolt past the threads.
6: Tighten the allen nut and close off the rad cap. You have burped the D.
HTH

 

Burp the system, and also have him check and ensure that the electric fan is coming on. There is a small fan between the main engine fan and the radiator inside the fan shroud.

The fan should come on when the A/C is on or the Defroster is on.

 

i agree with checking the e-fan, one of the easier fixes than can cause bigger problems if left undiagnosed

 

Quick related question: what can cause the e-fan to stop working? Heard about checking the ground and know about checking the fuses, would there be anything else? Mine still seems not to be working but have yet to check it.

 

There's a few relays to check in the PDC. Ensure they're working fine by swapping it out with an exact same one. Also if it's switching on with the A/C on check connections.

 

If you checked all the fuses and relays relating to the e-fan and it's still not working, you may need a new e-fan. Here's a sure way to check if the e-fan motor is blown:
1) Raise up th efront of the D and put jack stands under the frame.
2) Get under the front of the D right below the rear of the front bumper.
3) You will see an opening where you can reach in and see a green connector. That's the e-fan connector.
4) Unplug the connector and run a dedicated line from the battery to the connector. Plus to plus, neg to neg.
If the e-fan kicks on with the direct feed, you have a problem somewhere between the fuses/relays and the e-fan. If it still doesn't spin, you need a new e-fan.
BTW, you can check for continuity from the connector as well. Use a volt meter or a test light to see if you're getting power to the connector by turning on the a/c or defroster to see if you're getting a reading. HTH

 

Thanks again Dan. Wish I had a voltmeter right now... I think Wal-Mart carries them. Too bad I'm broke....!

 

Harbor Freight has them one for like $3, not the best but it will work.

 

Hydra... That is uncanny... I was just texting back n forth with my brother and he mentioned Harbor Freight. Weird! Btw where again is Tremonton? I used to live in Clearfield and Layton.