The Durango is noted for having a cowl that lets water run onto the intake.On cold startup the engine will have water pooled on the intake/head area.Either leaking intake gaskets or the MLS head gaskets are relaxed (higher mileage engines) and sucks the water in on startup.Your is at least rebuildable! The Durango I bought had hydraliced a cylinder and broke a rod and the block.The big end of the rod still spun normally on the crank and the crank itself was ok.Powdered metal rods normally snap vs bend like yours.What cylinder was the bent rod on ##7 or 8 perhaps?
RT