100K maintenane to Do's

bronco9588 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:17 pm **Posts:** 69

Hi all,

I am loving my CRD and am looking at a X-country trip in June. So I have a couple maintenance items to do. Here is the list of want to do's! After a year of ownership, I have some pretty cool data on the car. This past year with 1 x-country trip, several trips to Tahoe, and very short driving back to school ~2miles, I have an average MPG of 23.2 with a MAX tank at 28.84 mpg and a min tank at 18.05 mpg.

So I am trying to boost my MPG numbers for the other XC. I would like to get 600 mile fill ups on the highway. Here is the to do list:

1) Timing Belt, Water Pump, Serpentine Belt, Pulleys, tensioners, and decoupler replaced. I plan on replacing the fan clutch too. I was kinda curious if anybody has deleted the mechanical fan for an electric fan for the purposes of mileage gains.

2) My thermostat is reading two tics to the left. I am going to replace that while i have the radiator out. If anybody has one of those modified thermostat housings they are willing to part with that allow you to put the wafer type thermostats in, please let me know. I heard a higher than stock thermostat gets you a little more MPGs, but hard to do without that modification.

3) Transmission Fluid Flush. Anything crazy to do here? I have all the filters and fluid. Dealership wanted 250 and I laughed at them.

4) Differential Fluid and transfer case fluid flush. I was going to go with the non-towing type of fluid (less viscous), but am open to additives as well for the purpose of getting better mileage. Is this difficult to do? Dealership wanted 450 and then I realized they were serious. Any specialty tools to get for #3 or #4?

5) GDE engine eco tune and tranny tune.

6) My tires are looking pretty tired. Is there a recommended tire for fuel efficiency and life? I generally do not go off road, but will be facing snow occasionally. I was pretty disappointed when I got stuck in the snow last summer. So looking for tires without too much sacrifice in ability to handle the snow. Would also like to get 50K out of them, and can wait after the X-country trip if need be to not put 5K on them right off the bat.

I think that covers the list. I have done a cleaning of the air intake system and changed the fuel filter in accordance with the new CRD owners guide. While I have the engine more easily accessible, should I take a look at the EGR valve or goodies of that nature?

jeepdan · **Posted:** Sat May 12, 2012 5:51 pm

My

The GDE tune will give you the quickest return on your dollar and should be #1 on the to do list, you won't ever regret it

The transfer case and transmission both use full synthetic ATF-4, nothing else. I would not go for a fancy transmission flush, BUT, I would use MOPAR brand filters in the transmission. My :2cents:

from a happy CRD owner X2 :wink:

bronco9588 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:17 pm **Posts:** 69

WRT #2, the cheapest thermostat that I have found has been 160 dollars. Anybody have a reasonable vender they know of online?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2012 8:00 am

1. There has been chat about an electric replacement for the mechanical but no success that I recall. Most common is replace the clutch with a Hayden 2905; replace metal fan with a nylon one part # I think are 52079654AE or 52079654AD; or replace with a fixed fan assembly viewtopic.php?f=5&t=51618&hilit=fixed
2. don't know stock tstat is 5142601AA and runs about $120 online+ shipping which shouldn't be much more than $12 in a USPS medium flat rate priority mail box. you also need the gasket 5066806AA. Before ordering check online+shipping vs. local dealer parts. If you have a relation with the local dealer parts folks you can often get as good or better price on smaller items.
3. use ATF+4 and don't buy parts from eBay as some of the bad filters are still out there. Service fill per FSM is 5qts although that may be low and overhaul fill is 14qts. If you think the current fluid is not ATF+4 you may have to do several fill, drive, drain cycles to get rid of the old stuff.
4. no comment other than I paid $150 at local shop which I considered excessive. No special tools that I know of for #3 and 4 although you might consider retorfitting the tranny pan with a drain but I have no advice as to how or where in the pan.
5. emphatic yes to both.
6. lots of tire choices. See my signature for what I have but I don't have snow. My son's came with new Michellin Latitudes which have done well in snow in N. AZ. If what you have has enough tread and no sidewall cracks wait until trip is done and prepare for sticker shock if you have not purchased tires in a while.

Forget EGR although I'd do the GDE tune before you left as it will improve your mpg and pretty much remove EGR function. Assume you have new air filter. Clean MAP sensor if you have not already done so. Check CAC hoses for problems, remove from engine to do so. Check air box to turbo hose for tear on bottom just in front of turbo, replace with OEM is need be.

jeepdan · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2012 8:34 am

Excellent write up!
As papaindigo has mentioned, the FSM is off on the quarts needed for a transmission drain/refill, way off! :dizzy:

. I have the correct quantity written down, I will have to find it.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2012 11:33 am

In-Hose stat is the way to go. Remove VH relay until you get GDE. It will add 2-3 MPG.

DOC

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

I removed my fan/clutch 3 months ago.....so far she's been holding steady with no issues with overheating. Fuel economy has improved bit.

bronco9588 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:17 pm **Posts:** 69

Got the Hayden fan clutch in. Never played with one before, but this guy is stiff. I thought it would be loose at room temperature. Do they break in?

100K maintenane to Do's

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