How to Replace the Thermostat on a 1998-2003 Dodge Durango

Brian Eslick from How to Automotive www.howtoautomo... takes you step-by-step through the process of replacing the thermostat on a 1998-2003 Dodge Durango.
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Owing to factors beyond the control of How to Automotive/Brian Eslick, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modification of this information, or improper use of this information. How to Automotive/Brian Eslick assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. How to Automotive/Brian Eslick recommends safe practice when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jacks and jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemical lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Because of factors beyond the control of How to Automotive/Brian Eslick, no information contained in this video shall express or imply warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How to Automotive/Brain Eslick

[@jimmcmahon217]

I like that you step right through the stuff that's pretty self-evident. Also that you mention bolt sizes. Some of these how-to videos give us TOO much info...takes forever to watch. This was just right. Thx!

[@DigitalRecollections]

HEI GUYZ BE SURE TO USE JAK STANDZ SO THE CAR DOESNT FALL ON UR FACE TEEHEE

[@SilverMt.]

I did not take anything else off to replace thermostat, there is enough room to get to the bolts from the top.

[@navonkeith]

Exactly 💯💪

[@pizzahutaf23]

I'm glad read this because I was like hell naw

[@codeyhill863]

What size was socket did you use to remove the bolts

[@wacucr]

@@codeyhill863 1/2” on the thermostat bolts.

[@bobloblaw5236]

Guy took apart about half the engine. I'm like wtf is he doing.

[@LANeverSleeps]

I appreciate you showing how to make room to clean it properly, thanks for the vid!

[@kellismith4329]

Exactly ! Sure you can snake the bolts out and get it disconnected fine without removing stuff, but you can’t do a proper repair that will last without leaking etc if you can’t inspect and clean everything up

[@brandoncarnes6002]

@@kellismith4329 did mine and its still not leaking you all have fun doing a 15 minute job in 4 hours

[@BuildItFixItDIY]

So, when you ran your scotchbright pad on your due grinder, all the debris you ground off that fell into the top of the engine is now circulating (or lodged into the radiator or heater core) through your cooling system I’m thinking. Stuffing a small rag down the hole and removed after the cleanup would be a suggestion for viewers.

[@Gh0stlyMatter]

Another thing you can do as well is pour a bottle of water into the opening on the engine side, should flush out any debris close to the top.

[@celticfury7328]

Decent amount of detail, except for one critical bit of info...which engine are you working on? From what I've found so far, it's definitely NOT the 4.7L V8, because the thermostat housing is on the lower passenger side of the block, not on top! (Water pump is a reverse flow design) Could've saved me five minutes if you put that all important detail in the title!

[@philjohnson2611]

Yea, doesn't appear to be the 5.9 either. My thermostat is right on top. No messing around with alternator/reservoirs, etc.

[@kellismith4329]

@@philjohnson2611 this is all the same as the video in my 2000 5.9

[@punchycat8113]

Late as all can be but that's def the 5.9. It's the engine in my durango and the engine bay in this video is the exact same

[@annamae2476]

This looks like the 3.7 v6 in my Dakota not the 4.7 in my Durango

[@Just1American1966]

​@annamae2476 He mentioned this being a 2000 model year. I don't think either of those engines was available then. I have a 2000 Dakota and the Magnum-series engines were still in use, being 3.9L and 5.2L in displacement.

[@elwerfally]

Thanks it was very helpful video that guides me step by step to replace my old thermostat again that's a lot buddy.

[@Dmar1078]

I hope you can help me. I have a 02 Dakota just started over heating. I changed the radiator cap thinking it was that. Should I change my thermostat? The upper hoes nearest to the thermostat was tight.

[@KimCheongBRO]

Why would you lose transmission fluid when working on the coolant system? Trying to get my Mother in Laws 2002 5.9 durango back in order after changing the radiator hose (the one with the radiator cap) and don't want to overlook anything. Thanks for the video.

[@donaldfcarterjr2855]

Wow! Mine is at the bottom passenger side below...I don't know what? I have a slight leaking..I may have place thermostat in backwards. I don't wanna get back underneath. Because of weather but...I must appreciate video

[@ishtlutz1261]

Hey you said you had a slight leaking? Just wondering if you took it for a drive in the condition you described when you posted this comment or if you worked on it more before driving. If you did go ahead & drive it… did it overheat at all? And is yours a 4.7L?

[@227kirk]

Hi, You have a video for this Dodge yer but for the 4.7 Engine? Your video show an engine that is either the 5.2 or 5.9 engine.

[@thomastrumigneault8918]

DID U FIND A GOOD ONE? \

[@davieboy1970]

Hopefully you found the video you were looking for. 4.7 is a lot easier it's down underneath on the passenger side behind the lower radiator hose going into the block. It's pretty easy to get to from underneath. I hell of a lot easier than doing this one in his video

[@louisrocha4725]

Omg 15min job turned into 8hr shift lmao

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I’ve had my fair share of jobs like that as well. Thank you for watching!

[@emmabobema69]

When you break the bolt off the thermostat do you need to take the oh housing for the alternator and the compressor assembly off to get to the bolt so you can drill it out we try to tap and the tap broke off on top of that bolts I spent all day on this and I've got nowhere

[@laurachavezmendoza8706]

Did you use any heat glue on thermostat gasket to seal?

[@laurachavezmendoza8706]

Just replaced mine now I have a leak from the sides

[@williamrissell9163]

What size are the bolts on the thermostat on a 5 .9

[@migueldolcine7218]

Thank you for showing us🙏🏾

[@edbeale]

Quick question. If you’re filling the radiator back up and it starts leaking out at the thermostat area, is a bad housing, or it because the thermostat hasn’t opened up?

[@trillmaticlaz1832]

I had the same problem im trying to find a answer

[@michaelharo9763]

Is there an electrical connection connecting the cooling fan with the thermostat?

[@steffb9229]

😂 I'd rather just take off two bolts and a hose clamp

[@nickdipascal9412]

You don't have to remove any if that to replace the thermostat...

[@BigKingBB76]

Exactly.. I'm like what the hell is he talking about. Ain't nobody got time for that...

[@jameswallace3881]

That’s what I was thinking. Way too much lol. I think every year and engine size is different tho cause my tstat was in different location, much easier to get to.

[@kevindouglas8768]

Good job Brian. Mine should be easy to do now. Thanks

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Kevin Douglas I hope it does go smoothly. Thank you for watching!

[@kurtwm2010]

Seems to me pretty dumb to use a grinder on the mating surface without stuffing a rag or something inside the inlet to prevent debris from falling inside.

[@jearmeymorgan8297]

He didn't use a grinder.. he used a cleaning pad ON a grinder. And if a few specks of dirt fall into the engine block it isn't going to hurt anything. It actually goes to show that he understands the technology he's working with that he isn't unnecessarily afraid to get some dirt in a hole. An engine isn't that delicate of a device that a bit of dirt or grime would harm it.

[@jearmeymorgan8297]

A transmission is a little different.. I would be pretty concerned about getting dirt into the valves of a transmission.

[@joefreeman1142]

@@jearmeymorgan8297 the engine isn't the worry. Its the stuff going into the trans cooler and radiator. And it doesn't matter if he only used a scotchbrite pad. Thats not was this guy said. He said grinding. And since he used a GRINDER ...he did in fact GRIND around the housing surface. Grinded. With a scotchbrite. If I bandaged up my arm with a scotchbrite pad, it's still called bandaging. Wouldn't call the action something else because I used something other than a bandage/towel/bandaid etc. 😂😂 Why am I having to explain this to you? Oh,cause you wanted to be a dick.

[@mikeporro3311]

There are many levels of grit in scotchbrite. Color of pad is indicator of abrasiveness from soft dish sponge type to remove metal type.

[@rickybrumbaugh9469]

more work then necessary

[@acexxace4122]

Do you have a video replacing fuel injectors for the same car obviously???

[@dylanarveson9594]

Cool, but that tab you had says FRONT on it. When I removed it on my Dakota it was facing the correct (front) way.

[@BuildItFixItDIY]

Dylan Arveson . Agree. People should know that the tab needs to face the front of the vehicle. It is stamped “front”, after all, unless for some reason this one is different.

[@Jjonaz707]

@@BuildItFixItDIYsee this the thing. I have one Durango that it faces back, and one, the tab literally says front. This where I’m stuck at.

[@smokeystarr]

I need to know how to remove the actual thermostat itself. Video skipped that part

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Marshall Thompson After removing the bracket over the thermostat to bolts come up vertical remove them pull the thermostat straight up.

[@smokeystarr]

How to Automotive thank you bud

[@Felipebustamante510]

Thanks a lot,that was very useful.

[@quirinorojas3760]

The tab on the housing should be facing the front of your motor not the firewall

[@Asalino1]

What engine size do you have. Mine doesn't look like this. I have a 4.7.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Jon if I remember correctly it was a 5.2 L

[@Asalino1]

Ok cool ty. I found another vid saying that my 4.7 is under the Engine and less parts need to be moved.

[@esvingomez1845]

Asalino Draconos can you put the link I need that one

[@trellbell35]

Right

[@jamieflexer9347]

@@esvingomez1845 yup 4.7 it's where the lower hose meets the engine can't miss the housing plus if your thermostat inner hose looked at all like that well if you care to keep it for a while do a radiator flush..the 4.7 is great all around plus you can do it all from underneath no jack no 20 parts to remove

[@Deks_ocrocker]

Code p0505 on a 2000 Dodge Durango v8 5.9L any help?

[@maxxwebster170]

ty .. dodge just couldn't make it easy could they ... gone are the days when you could see the thermostat right on top of the engine

[@erichkorman710]

Which engine is this?

[@zacm9507]

5.9

[@redteam9881]

What brand of upper Waterhose did you use

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Jeff Auton I got it from a Company called 1800 Radiator. Gates brand make nice hoses I would recommend them.

[@alejandrovalencia4672]

wat year is the truck and engine size?

[@nitwccm]

Great video! Thank you!

[@garyburlison2496]

That little tab says front on it.

[@accelerateddragon]

Why are you losing trans fluid while doing a thermostat??

[@donoimdono2702]

You should put engine size in the title. this is not the 4.7L

[@lorenaschello3714]

what if the bolt head breaks off how doldrums you take the bolt out

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Lorena Schello what bolt broke?

[@eggelee9058]

You Have no business making these videos If they are making people takeoff more pieces of equipment than they need to

[@AllHailSAHtan]

My thoughts exactly.

[@AllHailSAHtan]

Gonna have rusty coolant in about 6 weeks with all the debris that fell inside.

[@nflpashaa.k.a.djkronpasha9573]

What about after changing the top hose and it still runs hot and hose hard, the old hose had busted!

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Dj Kron did you change the thermostat? Also want to check to see if the cooling fan is working.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Dj Kron if there's any other leaks it was still overheat also.

[@aaronajbird07]

that's true even the smallest little bit of air getting in there would start to over heat it still

[@ishtlutz1261]

@Melissa Robitaille Poor girl. What was the problem did you ever figure it all out? (I’ve just been in the same situation - a girl/same car - but with no mechanic skills.

[@lorenaschello3714]

thermastat bolt

[@AllHailSAHtan]

No need to remove all that crap!!! Hahahah And look at all the debris down your intake. All kinds of issues with this video.

[@optimalgrymemusic9596]

Did everything here and now my durango wont start without a jump

[@ishtlutz1261]

Ugh that SUCKS. (What was the problem)?

[@CharlieH4ll]

The caption is hilariously WAY off a lot lol

[@mikeporro3311]

This is Like the old Chilton manuals always had u do it like the dealer (hard long way) no shortcuts. LOL! Replaced an alternator on a Goldwing , the manual had u dismantling the bike I did it with flexible and u joint extensions. $2000 job done for $450 and an hour and a half.

[@davideneilsonsr3077]

I did my goldwing in half hr 1500

[@olruss4039]

Me and my brother each time we found a mistake ina chilton's we'd highlight it we lit the bookshelf w/ it

[@Dubiousgamer85]

Yours is completely backwards from mine

[@stayfitted7849]

You did a lot of unneeded stuff to take that out.

[@300avenue]

U went thru alot just to change it this bad example for the newbies lmao unnecessary

[@oldschool2722]

Commercials suck !

[@ElmerPacheco-j9j]

It's not nessasary too have too remove all those parts just get the THURMASTAT from the bottom of vehicle , it's a very very simple prosses