I have a 2003 Durango 4x4 SLT with a 4.7 liter engine in reasonably good shape. It runs fine around town and driving down the mountain that I live on at 6,200 feet above Los Angles. It has been h-o-t! Returning home in the afternoon hours it struggles to get up hill. Although the temp gauge hits 6 out of 10 it does not overheat. This afternoon was the worst. I was in 1st gear and it wanted to refuse to go up hill but the transmission temp light did not come on. BTW, I do have a towing kit add-on.

I don't know where to begin looking. At $100 an hour to "troubleshoot" here in Cali my wallet tells me to remember what I have forgotten. I can turn a wrench and even have a SAE crescent wrench!

 

By the way. where is the petcock valve? I can't seem to locate it. Do I need to remove the shroud?

 

It should be on the lower driver's side corner of the radiator. At least that's where it is on my 99. That said my drain valve was plugged up and didn't work. Ended up replacing the radiator with a new one that has the external trans cooler.

 

When your temp gauge hits 6 out of 10 (210F and higher), the PCM puts your 4.7 engine in limp mode. Major power reduction to prevent your engine from seriously overheating which could burn out your engine.

Have your cooling system really checked.

1. antifreeze change.
2. power wash the a/c condenser/radiator area.
3. check the themostat
4. Check clutch fan.
5. Lastly if first 4 steps confirmed and does not help cool down your truck, check the water pump and/or radiator itself.

 

Thank you PCM! I'd rather it do that than give me a blown head gasket.