A friend has a rig that just won't stop overheating. She took it to a mechanic but he just threw parts at it. $2500 later the problem remains and they lost faith in the mechanic so she called me. They replaced the following:

1. water pump
2. thermostat
3. temp sensor
4. fan clutch
5. head gaskets and had the heads machined

Any ideas on what it may be or how to diagnose is greatly appreciated.

2002 Durango 5.9L R/T 101k miles

 

Plugged radiator

 

+1 on the radiator...sounds like a normal sh**ty mechanic that just wants money. Head gaskets before a radiator are u kiddin me?!

 

I think you guys are right. That's the first thing I thought but the last thing I wanted to do after what they've been through was throw a part at it without being sure. I used to do be there mechanic but my new job doesn't allow outside ventures. They call me every so often after getting screwed and don't know where to turn. When I hear what was replaced based on symptoms it's almost comical. The thing would only idle with throttle but otherwise ran fine. Rather than replacing the IAC he replaced the temp sensor and then blamed it on the overheating issue even though it did it when ice cold. Of course it was the IAC.

Do you guys know a difinitive way of testing the radiator? The only thing I can think of is visually checking for corrosion or blowing through it. Neither of which difinitive unless completely obvious.

Thanks!!

 

He didn't even run a compression test or sniff the radiator before replacing. Although I can't prove it I doubt there was any coolant in the oil. I know for a fact it wasn't using coolant or blowing white smoke.

 

get an infrared thermometer and check for a smooth temperature gradient

 

I love new tools. Am I looking for hot/cold spots or the gradiant from one side to the other?

 

check the gradient side to side and top to bottomw, if you see hot/cold spots you likely have a blockage and will need to replace the radiator.

 

+1 on the blockage. Another test that includes more labor is remving both radiator hoses and running garden hose throguh the system with your hand covering the bottom radiator hose hole. If ylur hand doesn't get pushed away, u have a blockage

 

+2 sounds like a few nice tests. You can do this and if it checks out continue, if it doesnt replace it and hopefully thats what it was all along.