My take,
rgill wrote:
55000 miles on it and I have the common severe trans shudder - started after the tune. I had to replace a passenger rear door window ($500) and now it's in for a radiator repair - probably $500 and will be a repair since the dealer has no new diesel Liberty radiators in the system. Also just found out that one of the interesting noises from the engine compartment is a vacuum pump and cylinder making noise and heating up. $450 to replace both although they still work.
While dealerships are meh, these things you mention can easily be done by a novice mechanic with a simple tool kit. There is NO reason to pay these outlandish prices, epically when there are people out there willing to help you out. I do this with friends, family, and friends of both here in MN. You provide the parts and the beer, and I will teach you how to do your own work. I am sure there are others in the world that are willing to do the same.
http://www.mileoneparts.com has the radiator you need for a list price of $319.00. I am sure you can find cheaper, if you find someone who can provide the part number. It should take no more than a couple hours with the FSM to get the radiator swapped out. As for the vac pump, if it is the little thingy behind the air-box... that will be about 30min with some simple tools to change on your own.
This is a forum for us all to help each other, don't feel ashamed about not knowing much about working on your Jeep... we ALL had to start somewhere! Ask your simple questions, and maybe you can be the guy to post up the "How-To" when you are finished!
Quote:
I want to spend money on a lift and a full skid plate system but I'm now starting to add up what I have and will be spending on repairs and it's becoming real money. A local trans shop knows all about the TC problems and will replace the TC with a Precision unit (maybe Suncoast if I insisted), but they also insisted that if they did it, it would be a full rebuild with a shift kit for the sum of $2750. The trans I'm sure is still in good shape, but I understand their point. Brand new heavy duty and supposedly no more shudder.
If you are getting shudder, and are still under warranty GET IT FIXED! Chrysler has changed the TC to the Euro model finally, which means no more shudder. There are rumors that this unit is even better than the Suncoast... AND CHEAPER! Find a friend that has done an engine swap, trans swap, or TC swap on darn near any RWD/4WD vehicle on the road. With their help changing out your TC should be no issue at all. Again, DL a copy of the FSM, and follow it step by step... it's what your dealer tech is going to do anyway. As for skids... frequent your local junk yards, you will be amazed at how cheap you can get a set of factory skids will be! If that fails... retired road-signs make VERY nice skids.. ask my old XJ
You can find them at local scrap yards, or by talking to the guys in the city/county that change them out.
Quote:
My trans dipstick pops out like many experience on this vehicle and of course the fabric seats look like crap ($600+ for some nice leather seat covers). I haven't taken it seriously off road because of time commitments and the fact that I don't as of yet have the skid plate system. Also don't entirely trust it as it once just wouldn't start because a starter wire broke at the alternator and after the dealer found it, they mentioned the wiring harness looked like it had been overheating (posted this last fall). Mileage isn't great at about 20-22 mpg average. Haven't a clue how other CRDs approach the 30 mpg range.
I don't have an issue with the trans dip-stick popping out, I can only imagine this may be caused by too much fluid? The fabric seats stain... BEYOND easy. I don't know how it happens, but it does. If you plan on wheeling it, I would avoid leather. It may look nice, but it doesn't hold you for crap, and you never want to get it muddy, dirty, wet, or drop anything on it. Nothing worse than trying to climb a rock with your booty slipping around in the seat. Plus in the winter they are COLD! The starter wire sounds like someone was dicking around with the alternator, and eventually broke the wire. Just look at the parts and if they seem worn, snap a pic and post it up. Someone here will help you out.
Quote:
So if any of you have the energy to comment, do you think that with the scarcity of parts and the lack of dealer support and trained mechanics for this vehicle, the more expensive maintenance costs and the the fact that diesel is usually significantly more expensive than gas, is the Liberty CRD really a unique enough vehicle to want to keep? Will it end up like the Mitsubishi or Isuzu diesel pickups of the early 80s or the Peugeot diesel cars? Will it cost those of us who are not auto mechanics a fortune to keep running?
My other runner is a 2007 G. Cherokee CRD with similar mileage as well as a 12 year old Dodge w/ cummins power, so I tend to like diesels. Maybe I should become a mechanic....
Hope this generates some discussion. Thanks in advance.
Lastly,
NO VEHICLE on the road will be free from problems. This is because they are machines that were never designed to last forever. Take good care of them, and they will take good care of you. If you feel that you may be overwhelmed, then by all means sell the thing. But if you have other vehicles to drive, and this one is your "toy" then have some fun. You can learn a TON by fiddling with the cheap Jeep in the fleet!
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