Jeep CRD owners out there? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 11-17-2012, 07:59 AM

I was just wondering how the CRDs are doing now that they are nearing ten years of age?

I saw a liberty CRD recently on a lot near here. It was gone next time I went by though.

elchivito · #2 11-17-2012, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I was just wondering how the CRDs are doing now that they are nearing ten years of age?

I saw a liberty CRD recently on a lot near here. It was gone next time I went by though.

A friend has one, an 05 I believe. She only has about 60K on hers and has not been hard on it. She reports 35mpg and no issues at all. The thing is amazingly quiet. You can hardly tell it's a diesel going down the road.

gatorblue92 · #3 11-17-2012, 08:29 AM

I know BodhiBenz has one. They seem to be few and far between which is a pity.

retmil46 · #4 11-17-2012, 12:51 PM

Mine's an 05 Sport. Just turned 83K miles a couple nights ago. Same as elchivito reports about his friend's. Easily 35 mpg interstate on a long trip, 25 mpg around town in mixed driving and on my commute to work.

Reason there's so few of them is that the EPA only allowed DC to sell around 15 to 18K of them in 05 and 06 in this country before they had to cut off production.

That VM Motori diesel is an absolute beast - it was originally a marine engine adapted for automotive use. Cast iron block, wet sleeve liners, oil spray jets under the pistons, twin counterbalance shafts, hefty internal parts - for my money, it's built every bit as tough as the OM 603 in my 87 300D.

Haven't had a lick of trouble out of the engine. I've gotten to where I can tell just by the sound, between 5 to 7k miles, when it's about time to change out the oil - start getting a faint clatter out of the lifters. Dump the old oil, run some cheap 30W oil thru it for about 10 minutes to flush out the soot, then fill it up with some good diesel rated oil - back to quiet as a church mouse.

That said, it's been all the cheap-a$$ Chrysler parts surrounding the engine that have given me grief - other than the engine, we're talking bean counter engineering taken to the extreme. It'd take me the better part of a day to sit here and list all the stuff it's been necessary to replace or modify to make this thing into a reliable daily driver.

I've said it many times before - sticking this diesel engine, in a Chrysler vehicle of that era and "quality", was like sticking the Hope Diamond up a goat's a$$.

Graplr · #5 11-17-2012, 02:37 PM

I have no first hand experience with them, only hearsay.

What I've heard is similar to retmil's experience. The engines are good but the Jeep Liberty...not so much.

t walgamuth · #6 11-17-2012, 05:27 PM

I've been thinking of sticking one in my newly almost aquired 39 studebaker coupe express.

cullennewsom · #7 11-17-2012, 06:01 PM

Someone is asking 19k for this one. - 2008 Jeep CRD Diesel Limited RWD 4dr Limited - -

tbomachines · #8 11-17-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorblue92

I know BodhiBenz has one. They seem to be few and far between which is a pity.

And I know she's had a lot of trouble with it too, unfortunately.

retmil46 · #9 11-17-2012, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I've been thinking of sticking one in my newly almost aquired 39 studebaker coupe express.

Hmmm, interesting.... that would be a real sleeper diesel hot rod!

With even just a mild Euro stage II tune from Inmotion in the Jeep, mine dynoed at 185 HP and around 330 ft lbs of torque at the rear wheels, thru a 545RFE auto tranny and 3.73 gears. Crap factory tune from Chrysler was 160 HP and 290 ft lbs at the crank.

Think the drivetrain and rear end in that 39 Stude would hold up to that?

So basically, you're looking for the engine or engine/tranny combo, plus the computer modules and wiring harnesses necessary, for doing an engine transplant?

There was one company that was selling brand new crate engines, military version sans emissions controls ( which would be perfect for a 1939 MY vehicle), of this same engine. VM Motori's designation for it was the RA 428.

Here's a link for you Tom -

Dieseltoys-Toyota and Jeep Diesel Conversions

This gent is down in San Antonio, and specilizes in doing diesel conversions on Toyota and Jeep vehicles - for newer model Wrangler Unlimiteds, he drops in the same engine and drivetrain as what's in my Liberty into them - it's actually sold overseas with an OEM diesel drivetrain - very easy for him since it's all factory parts.

I know in the past he's sold replacement used engines to Liberty CRD owners. Might want to get ahold of him - he could give you the rundown of what you'd need, might even be able to give you a line on one or even sell you an engine.

Or if you want to try a VW TDI diesel instead, here's this gent that sells used running VW diesel engines pulled from cars in Europe -

Quality German Auto Parts ~|~ Home

The tdiclub forum has a whole section on people who have dropped VW diesels into other vehicles - believe it or not, one guy even pulled the VM Motori out of his Liberty and put a smaller VW TDI in it.

retmil46 · #10 11-17-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cullennewsom

Someone is asking 19k for this one. - 2008 Jeep CRD Diesel Limited RWD 4dr Limited - -

Oh, frak no!

That's a Grand Cherokee CRD, with an MB V6 3.0 L diesel in it - they only sold like 3 or 4K of those over 3 years - they're even more of an orphan than the 05 and 06 Liberty CRD's - plus Chrysler repeated the same bean counter engineering, and even made some things worse!

Glued on valve covers, sealed tranny fill tube with no dipstick, drivetrain set up all wrong such that the engine is turning nearly 3000 rpm at highway speed, lucky to get 25 mpg highway, and that's just for starters.

Simpler=Better · #11 11-18-2012, 12:06 AM

Great combination, here are the watch outs:

Change the timing belt early or you will crash the valvetrain. Happened to a friend, cost around $2k for new parts and work.

The EGR valves fails often in a bad way

The stock TC has a plastic core, the TSB reflashes the computer to reduce power and prevent the TC from failing. Steel aftermarket TC is around $750. Add on a reflash to fix the aforementioned problems at around $400.

A proper lift kit costs a pretty penny.

layback40 · #12 11-18-2012, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Mine's an 05 Sport. Just turned 83K miles a couple nights ago. Same as elchivito reports about his friend's. Easily 35 mpg interstate on a long trip, 25 mpg around town in mixed driving and on my commute to work.

Reason there's so few of them is that the EPA only allowed DC to sell around 15 to 18K of them in 05 and 06 in this country before they had to cut off production.

That VM Motori diesel is an absolute beast - it was originally a marine engine adapted for automotive use. Cast iron block, wet sleeve liners, oil spray jets under the pistons, twin counterbalance shafts, hefty internal parts - for my money, it's built every bit as tough as the OM 603 in my 87 300D.

Haven't had a lick of trouble out of the engine. I've gotten to where I can tell just by the sound, between 5 to 7k miles, when it's about time to change out the oil - start getting a faint clatter out of the lifters. Dump the old oil, run some cheap 30W oil thru it for about 10 minutes to flush out the soot, then fill it up with some good diesel rated oil - back to quiet as a church mouse.

That said, it's been all the cheap-a$$ Chrysler parts surrounding the engine that have given me grief - other than the engine, we're talking bean counter engineering taken to the extreme. It'd take me the better part of a day to sit here and list all the stuff it's been necessary to replace or modify to make this thing into a reliable daily driver.

I've said it many times before - sticking this diesel engine, in a Chrysler vehicle of that era and "quality", was like sticking the Hope Diamond up a goat's a$$.

I have the one just before the CRD ~ the TD (425CURX motor) they were never sold in the USA, just built there. I think there are a few in Canada. It is what they started with to develop the CRD. Its as tough as old boots. The biggest weakness is the heads. It has 4 individual heads. They are alloy with Nickel plating. The CRD went for a conventional alloy head. Its OHV not OHC, another refinement for the CRD. Provided you dont try & run straight tap water in the cooling system they are not a problem.
Mine has now 180,000km (~ 115,000 miles) on the clock. The rear main seal dribbled a bit so its been replaced, just take gearbox & flywheel out to do it. Rear main leaks are common on the CRD. A PITA to work on, no room.
Solid manual 5 spd trans.
Typical cheap Chrysler plastic interior.

t walgamuth · #13 11-18-2012, 06:52 AM

thanks Guys! I am hoping to use the ford truck five speed I have on hand.

t walgamuth · #14 11-18-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Hmmm, interesting.... that would be a real sleeper diesel hot rod!

With even just a mild Euro stage II tune from Inmotion in the Jeep, mine dynoed at 185 HP and around 330 ft lbs of torque at the rear wheels, thru a 545RFE auto tranny and 3.73 gears. Crap factory tune from Chrysler was 160 HP and 290 ft lbs at the crank.

Think the drivetrain and rear end in that 39 Stude would hold up to that?

So basically, you're looking for the engine or engine/tranny combo, plus the computer modules and wiring harnesses necessary, for doing an engine transplant?

There was one company that was selling brand new crate engines, military version sans emissions controls ( which would be perfect for a 1939 MY vehicle), of this same engine. VM Motori's designation for it was the RA 428.

Here's a link for you Tom -

Dieseltoys-Toyota and Jeep Diesel Conversions

This gent is down in San Antonio, and specilizes in doing diesel conversions on Toyota and Jeep vehicles - for newer model Wrangler Unlimiteds, he drops in the same engine and drivetrain as what's in my Liberty into them - it's actually sold overseas with an OEM diesel drivetrain - very easy for him since it's all factory parts.

I know in the past he's sold replacement used engines to Liberty CRD owners. Might want to get ahold of him - he could give you the rundown of what you'd need, might even be able to give you a line on one or even sell you an engine.

Or if you want to try a VW TDI diesel instead, here's this gent that sells used running VW diesel engines pulled from cars in Europe -

Quality German Auto Parts ~|~ Home

The tdiclub forum has a whole section on people who have dropped VW diesels into other vehicles - believe it or not, one guy even pulled the VM Motori out of his Liberty and put a smaller VW TDI in it.

Thanks for the info and links! I will go check them out now.

The VW would not be tough enough for a truck application I don't think.