I'm not sure if this is normal so I'm asking, when the engine is under stress the temp gauge rises to about 220, like going up the mountain, on the way down it cools back to a little under 210. Before it was climbing to almost overheating. I changed out the temp sensor, the thermostat, radiator cap, flushed the system twice, and purged it (I know the 4.7 hates air bubbles) now it's just been doing what I described. Is this normal? I've had the "truck" for two years and it has been doing this every summer. The winter it works fine, doesn't go over 210. It does the same thing with and without the A/C on. Also the electric fan kicks on at the right tunes, the fan clutch is ok, water pump send good as far as I can tell. I want to say partially blocked radiator?

 

I had the same problem. I had a 5 blade fan , and switched to an 8 blade fan, from a Durango at pick-a-part. I put the bottom back on shroud, both wheel wells, and also, a electric fan also from a Durango, but I put a manual thermostat from Auto Zone so I can set the fan for whatever yemp I want it to go on, and off. I set mine about 200, and it works alot better. I can run my air, whenever. Hope it helps you..Good Luck.. mrcohjr..

 

I'm glad that you made this post as I am in kinda the same boat here.

I had over heated last week and found that I had one cracked head and the other checked out fine. I had a new one installed and like the new one had the old one that was okay machined and installed with new head gaskets and all.

Today (it was 90) none the less, my gauge was reading high while towing my boat home from the weekend activities. I have a '00 4.7 with the 3.55 gears and the boat with some stuff loaded inside is approx 2200 lbs and I had myself, wife, 2 kids in the vehicle.

Here is the pic of the temp:
[IMG][/IMG]

"should" it be reading this high?...........some time it crept a tad higher where it was just next to the 0 in 210.

Totally not meaning to hijack your thread here bigred95....maybe we are having the same issue.

 

Don't worry about it. I just replaced my water pump and still having the same issue. Frankly I'm tired of dealing with it so I think I'm just going to take it to a garage

 

I had to replace the water pump(pretty clean on inside) and the electric fan died, replaced, when I replace water pump replaced thermostat(put in a 180°F), and got rid of the weight of the clutch fan and put in a flex fan. It runs cooler even at a long red light with the A/C on here in Florida(summertime) the outside temp running 98°F @ 92% humidity. My 2002 Durango 4.7 2WD has never run cooler! Its been great! The wife even noticed that the Durango has/is running cooler. Sounds like the clutch fan is not engaging at the right temp?

 

My fan clutch is brand new, along with the fan. Changed with the water pump. So should I try the 180 thermostat? I've honestly had it with this piece of garbage. I about ready to take it to a scrap yard

 

Have you power washed the A/C coil and radiator to ensure it is free from any debris that may be restricting air flow?

 

Is there a difference in cooling ability between the five and eight blade fan? Or do you think it was the combination of everything that helped

 

Update: The radiator was clogged inside. I was going to have it professionally cleaned, but for $80 more I bought a brand new radiator

 

Glad to read you found it. Good call on the new one too!

SJ02