OEM 2000 Dodge Durango Thermostat

2000 Dodge Durango Thermostat Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain a Thermostat on 2000 Dodge Durango?

  A: Make sure the cooling system is not under pressure and hot before you begin thermostat servicing. The coolant should be kept in a clean vessel so it can be reused, unless it was dirty. Before installation, ensure that the thermostat is intended for the vehicle and engine. On 5.2L/5.9L engines, factory-installed thermostat housings are fixed to a gasket treated with an anti-stick coating, aiding gasket removal. First, disconnect the negative battery cable and keep draining the coolant until the level is under the thermostat. If your vehicle is air-conditioned, loosen the nut holding the generator support bracket near the rear, take off the belt tensioner, loosen the drive belt and the two mounting bolts, but don't pull the generator out yet. Should your vehicle have 4wd, unplug the associated indicator lamp wiring, too. Remove the upper radiator hose clamp and hose, reposition the wiring harness so you can reach it and next take out the thermostat housing bolts, its housing, the gasket and finally remove the thermostat, throwing out the old gasket. First, clean both intake manifold and thermostat housing mating areas, place the new thermostat (Spring side down) in the intake manifold's recessed place and top it with the gasket. Place the housing so that Front is visible from the vehicle front, follow by installing and tightening the housing bolts on each side to 23 Nm (200 Inch lbs.). Attach the top radiator hose to the thermostat housing. After checking the serpentine supply belt for correct placement in air-conditioned cars, install the next part: the generator. Tighten the bolts at 41 Nm (30 Ft. lbs.) afterward which should be followed by installing the support bracket and bolting at 54 Nm (40 Ft. lbs.). Bring the belt over all pulleys except the one labeled idler pulley, rotate the tensioner and check that the belt is correctly seated on top of the idler pulley. Fairly cap off the cooling, reconnect the negative cable of the battery, fire up the engine and check your car for leaks.