Looking at a CRD - 3 questions

mvoss15 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:58 pm

Hi all - I've been reading up on all things CRD here for a while now, and have decided to make the plunge. I've had a few VW TDI's over the years and just sold my 87 Mercedes so I know (for the most part) what I'm getting into.

I am considering looking at an 05 Liberty CRD that is for sale about an hour away with 83K miles - which means that I won't have to wonder whether the timing belt, water pump, etc have been properly replaced - I'll get the joy of doing that myself in the next year. I'll definitely be checking it out well, but, have a few questions that hopefully someone from the forum would be kind enough to offer their thoughts:

First off, the Jeep previously had a front towbar - likely towed behind someone's RV. Would towed miles be included in the odometer reading (I'm assuming no)? Any specific areas of concern with this? (in other words, should I avoid this one because it's been towed for who knows how many miles?)

Second - is there a straightforward way to tell whether the Jeep has the original torque converter or the Euro TC? Also, what will I need to look for to determine if the transmission has its original programming or has the recall tune. (F37 I think?)

Third, it seems like the other big issue to check for is the fuel filter housing, but, it seems fairly easy to determine whether it is original based on the size of the fuel heater plug.

Finally, if anyone has any other tips on specific items I should be sure to check out, I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!

bugnout · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:17 pm

Don't think the towed miles will show on odo. Jeep has to be on for odo to work. Having unknown towed miles, means you might be looking at bearings, bushings, CV's, U joints and other wear items with considerable more miles than indicated. A good mechanic should be able to tell you if there is anything that needs immediate attention.

No easy way to tell. Go to a dealer and get the service records, If the previous owners had it serviced by DC your golden.
There was a recall for the original TC, if the previous owners had it serviced when they got the notice, the KJ probably doesn't have the Euro TC. Its only been in the last year or so that it became the replacement model number. If they didn't have it done at all, then you probably don't have F37 done either.

If you don't have the new fuel head, highly recommend you get it replaced as soon as possible. If the Jeep starts hard, it may already have air in fuel issues or injection pump damage. Can be very expensive to fix.

The other major recalls/ service bulletin was the lower ball joints failing. If the service was done be a dealer should be in the service record.

sidebrake · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:45 pm

Here's a good way to determine if the TCM has been F37'ed: viewtopic.php?f=98&t=49857

+1 on the hard start that bugnout mentioned. Make sure you insist on starting the Jeep both dead cold and again after its fully warmed up. Hard starting can be something as simple as air in fuel or it can be a nightmare to diagnose/fix.

mvoss15 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:53 pm

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I'm hoping to have time to look at the Jeep tomorrow and check it out. It's priced right, and fits what we're looking for - but, willing to keep looking if things don't check out OK.

mvoss15 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 22, 2011 2:55 pm

Well, checked it out this morning. Thanks again for the advice - I think I'm going to pass on this one. Previous owner had installed a custom dual exhaust - removed both the muffler and catylitic converter - not thrilled about that, plus, crawling under the Jeep, it appears something is leaking (oil pan, transmission pan are coated in grime). Looks like someone has attempted to fix with some sort of gasket maker - silver colored substance that was oozing out all around the tranny pan.

Going to keep looking for now - may post a new thread seeing if anyone knows of a good CRD for sale.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:47 pm

mvoss15 wrote:

Well, checked it out this morning. Thanks again for the advice - I think I'm going to pass on this one. Previous owner had installed a custom dual exhaust - removed both the muffler and catylitic converter - not thrilled about that, plus, crawling under the Jeep, it appears something is leaking (oil pan, transmission pan are coated in grime). Looks like someone has attempted to fix with some sort of gasket maker - silver colored substance that was oozing out all around the tranny pan.

Going to keep looking for now - may post a new thread seeing if anyone knows of a good CRD for sale.

The Tranny gasket is a non existant part to my knowelege, if the trans was serviced they make the gasket with RTV type sealant. Maybe they didn't do a good job with the sealant.

onthehunt · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:19 pm

Watch out for the stripped oil pan plug syndrome that seems to plague this vehicle.

Looking at a CRD - 3 questions

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