Hello Fellow Dodge Owners,

I recently purchased a 1999 Durango 5.9 Auto 2WD With rear AC.

I took it to the shop and the tech added a few ounces of freon.

A week later the heater bypass hoses bursts while the engine and ac was running in a parking lot . We install a new hose and a filled with coolant.

On the way home the upper radiator hose bursts at the junction where the sensor is.

I tow the car to the shop. The mechanic advised there is no thermostat in the car, and newer hose cause pressure to build up and burst upper hose. I ask him to flush heater core, engine block. We send the radiator out for cleaning and testing. I have them remove the water pump, there is some shaft play. New pump installed. I inspect timing chain cover, there is minor pitting no rust.

Hoses are not available at the moment so they are being shipped in from the US. We had to splice and use a connector to repair the hose. The Upper hose has a sensor in the middle, I cannot locate it anywhere. I have seen the upper hose with radiator caps on them.

Could the auxiliary water pump be factor ? Also any thoughts on what could have caused both hoses to fail ?

I also noticed the car has no clutch operated fan, just an electric fan. Not sure if this is a retrofit or OEM set-up.

I am also trying to find a source for an Aluminum radiator, any help appreciated.

Thanks

 

I don't think there were auxiliary water pumps until 2001. The radiator cap in the hose wasn't until 2000 either. That sensor in there isn't factory, and is probably for the electric fan, which must have been added. 2000 models started having an auxiliary electric fan, but still had the clutch fan. I replaced the clutch fan with an electric one myself, as have a lot of other people around too.

 

Thanks for the response.

I just spoke to the shop. Its still overheating after radiator flush and cleaning, new hoses and water pump.

Do you think I should install a thermostat ?

Would a bad radiator cap cause overheating after running the engine for 30 minutes ?

Any special procedure for bleeding the system ?

Any thoughts on what to do next ?