1998 DODGE DURANGO

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Burnt ATF smell, dark or varnished fluid, Harsh 2-3 shifts or slipping under load, Cooler lines rusting through at radiator connections, leaking ATF

Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and lines (2-3 hrs labor), flush system. If internal damage occurred, rebuild or replace 46RE/45RFE transmission (12-16 hrs labor). Cooler line rust is endemic; inspect every oil change.

Estimated cost: $400-800 for cooler/lines; $2,200-3,800 for transmission rebuild

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant consumption with no visible leak, White smoke on startup, sweet smell in oil, Misfires on multiple cylinders, rough idle

Fix: Remove intake plenum, replace lower gasket and often intake manifold gasket set (5-7 hrs labor). Magnum engines have coolant passages under the plenum; gasket deteriorates and dumps coolant into crankcase or cylinders. Hughes Engines and Fel-Pro make updated gaskets.

Estimated cost: $600-1,100

Typical onset: 70,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Intermittent stalling, usually hot, restarts after cooling, No-start with cranking but no spark or fuel pulse, Check engine light with P0320 or P0340 codes

Fix: Replace crank position sensor at bellhousing (0.5-1 hr labor). Heat from exhaust and transmission causes premature failure. Carry a spare in the glove box on high-mileage rigs; it's a 10-minute roadside fix if you have a 10mm socket.

Estimated cost: $120-220

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, wandering steering, Uneven or cupped tire wear on inside edge, Play felt when prying on tire at 12/6 o'clock

Fix: Replace upper and lower ball joints, both sides (4-6 hrs labor). Dana 44 front axle uses press-in joints; uppers fail more often but do both sides together. Alignment required afterward. Moog or Spicer quality; avoid cheap offshore units.

Estimated cost: $650-1,100

Typical onset: 90,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise on cold start, fades when warm, Exhaust smell in cabin or under hood, Visible cracks between ports on cast-iron manifold

Fix: Replace cracked manifold(s) and gaskets (3-5 hrs labor per side). Passenger side more common due to steering shaft clearance and heat retention. Dorman replacements available but OE Mopar or used OEM preferred for longevity.

Estimated cost: $450-850 per side

Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: Stalling or stumbling under acceleration, Long crank time, especially after sitting overnight, Whining noise from tank area before failure

Fix: Drop 25-gallon tank, replace fuel pump module and strainer (2-3 hrs labor). Tank straps rust in salt states; add 0.5-1 hr and parts if corroded. Run tank low before job to save your back. Use OE Mopar or Bosch pump; avoid no-name eBay units.

Estimated cost: $500-800

Symptoms: Heat or A/C works only on one side or not at all, Clicking or grinding noise from dash when adjusting temp, Air blows cold in heat mode or vice versa

Fix: Plastic blend door actuator or door itself breaks. Heater box removal requires full dash disassembly (8-12 hrs labor). Some techs cut access holes behind glove box for door repair (4-6 hrs), but it's a band-aid. Aftermarket metal door kits available from HVAC specialty shops.

Estimated cost: $800-1,600 depending on access method