Via many personnal situations with my 2000 Durango I do have a possible resolution for those out there who may be dealing with the same over heating issues. Bought the durango 3 years ago and had not one issue until last year and since then it has been a constant problem with over heating. After many attempts to replace parts and have a mechanic try to figure out the problem we've come to a conclusion. The bleed valve on the standard thermostat does not suffice. Instead purchase one w/o the valve and drill a 1/8 hole in the thermostat before installing. Since we've done this i've had no issues. Unfortunetaly we had a dramatic drop in temperature and the antifreeze must've been dilluted because it overheated again this morning. Had to let it cool... add premixed and then it was good to go again. Please pass this information along to anyone having similar issues is awesome when the thing runs right!

 

lolol ... so I got the Durango back today, they replaced all the coil packs on one side of the engine ... went home no problems. Later tonight we were going to head out and I remote started the car inside ... came out ... it wasn't running .. get in start it up .. bing check engine light on AGAIN. Back to service tomorrow TRIP Number 7. Just awesome.

 

They are really grasping at straws arent they Coil Packs for an overheating problem???
Go to a different dealer
STEVE

 

Oh the overheating problem has been taken care of .. now I am back to the misfire in cylinder 3. Which ... its in for today again ... misfire in cylinder 3....

 

Its time for them to give you new engine if they havent figured it out in 6 trips no?

 

Sounds like the engine computer is screwed up which could lead to all the problems you have been experiencing. I would have them replace that and then demand a new vehicle if that doesn't clear it up.... they have done nothing but replace easy to reach parts so far.

 

Coil packs? Wow epic fail! Like most modern techs they are relying on computers( scanners ) as their sole investigators. What happend to the good old fashioned mechanics that first check ,spark, air and fuel then electronics. Your coolant smell and usage should indicate to them that you have an abnormal running condition. This should be the first priority and problems like those are usually the pathway to other drivability issues like your misfire. Keep us posted.

 

Here is the update I received today

I have very little to update you with on the ongoing diagnosis. The tech assigned to your truck has been in contact on and off today with STAR(engineering dept). he has done fuel pressure reading and other PCM(computer) readings for our engine management system. So far, they have not confirmed a repair as of today. They should be in contact by tomorrow as what they want us to do.


great!!!

 

Question...is MDS running when you get the failure? Or was it the first time you got the CEL? And was it shorly after an oil chnage, within 1500 mi?

Yes, I'm getting somewhere...

 

It wasn't after an oil change ... and its possible that it came on with the MDS running ... but the latest one ... I had remote started durango, came outside and it was off .. started it back up and the check engine light was on.

As for the latest update, I have given them authorization to drive the Durango over the weekend. I guess they have hooked up a "flight recorder" to see if they can capture data from the ECU just prior to the CEL. They can't figure out why it is happening ... So hopefully they have something to report back to me on Monday.