Sir Sam - any rec's in Denver?

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Allright, to get this out of the way:

So I've read the nooB guide a few times through, and trolled around here enough to know a few things about the sweet '05 Limited CRD with 85k miles I inherited from my wife, who got a new car.

The problem is that I know about nothing diesel, and the last time I worked on a car was an old 1972 VW Thing that I drove from Oregon to the Guatemalan border and back over 3 months. I guess that's two problems. The third is that I can't see any pictures or graphics posted anywhere on this board, and cannot adjust because it's a work computer that I mostly use to access it on downtime. I guess the fourth problem is that the local garage where my wife has been taking the CRD doesn't seem to know diesel particularly well, and is unwilling to do anything outside OEM recommendations.

My job frequently takes me to some light off roading, frequently out of cellphone, so I'd like to have *some* confidence it won't break down in a remote area, or that I can fix a simple thing, but am by no means a gearhead (intended with utmost respect). I figure that I should get the timing belt replaced, then GDE it, Samco hose it, maybe buff up some glow plugs and fuel filters and heaters, and then get some OME suspension (not a riser, just the suspension to deal with the CRD weight - I won't tow much over a few hundred pounds once or twice a year). I've only learned that much from this board, and I'm concerned that these things are out of my league. That said, I do want to learn how to clean the MAP, change the fuel and air filters, and change the oil and filters myself. Anything that requires a torque wrench I leave to professionals.

So I've read through the rec'd mechanics, and Jason at Diesel Repair and Performance down in Parker seems like a good bet, even though it's 40 minutes (in good traffic) away. What I'd really like is someone who knows the CRD to help me fix it up, and show me how to do some of this stuff right. I'm not expecting charity or pro bono work, just someone who knows how to do this and willing to show me how.

Do you have any recommendations or advice?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:56 pm

Well Sam's not that far away and I assume still willing for a reasonable fee.

As for pictures. They won't load in IE 9 but they will load just fine using FireFox or Chrome which you should be able to load on a work PC unless your IT folks are way to narrow minded for their own good.

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Thank you, papindigo, Firefox was already on and dormant. Makes following the threads much easier!

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

I can show you all of that for the cost of a medium pizza and a 6 pack of coke. I live in northern Colorado Springs.

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Wow, Drewd -

That's a tough offer to refuse, man! I will definitely take you up on that!

I"m at psmitty2@yahoo.com

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

All easy stuff to show you. I feel guilty to even charge you this much ;-)

Map sensor cleaning: http://liberty.eurekaboy.com/mapsensor.htm

Suggestions:

(a) Fumoto valve: GET ONE, install one and you can change oil without using a wrench and possibly can do it in your Sunday clothes as long as you wear gloves and are careful with removing the oil filter. http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ ... to_04.html

(b) Replace 1st generation fuel filter. I love the racor 245 which is what Liberty CRD Export models got before 2005. It fits perfectly and I use it. http://liberty.eurekaboy.com/racor.htm I guess there' nothing wrong with a 2nd generation OEM fuel filter head but who wants more chrysler parts anyway?

(c) Lift pump: In tank is best but I'm lazy and did a Kennedy inline pump. The improvement in starting and driveability is noticeable

(d) http://liberty.eurekaboy.com/kennedy.htm

(e) Timing belt: SEE SIR SAM, he charges a fair price and has done many. Don't take it to a dealer or shop. If you can't afford the cost, if you can borrow the tools (GDE rents them), I can help you do the TB job as I had to do it myself 3k miles after Sir Sam replaced mine when my water pump failed. Replace all parts (tensioners, idlers, and water pump to save grief down the road)

(f) Elephant hose mod is mandatory if you do not wish to buy a Provent crank case ventilation device. I have a provent in both my diesels. http://www.auerbach.ca/kj/provent/ NOTE: You can use a large ziptie or hose clamp to mount the provent in the same location as in the aforementioned link.

(g) Just say no to 0w40 oil!!!!!! DUMP IT ASAP if it is in your engine. 15w40 in summer is fine and 5w40 in winter is perfect. I blend 5w40 with 15w40 in summer and use 5w40 in winter. NO rocker problems for me (knock on wood).

(h) GDE tune...go with ECO tune as some association of blown head gaskets with hot tune. Eco has plenty of power and is a great tune.

(i) Torque converter..it never replaced do so before 100k miles or you'll get stranded like I did and threw out my back manhandling it when I dropped it. Upgraded front pump is a good idea too. I can provide the tranny jack but you'll need to provide the back.

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Woah, great guides, and clear enough that I might be able to pull it off! *Might* Thanks for getting me started

I'll start with the MAP cleaning; that seems like something I should be able to do.

The oil valve seems like the kind of thing it should have come with; I'm a little afraid the plug has already been stripped. But I think I ought to be able to handle that.

The fuel filter seems a little easier and I like the idea of a good heater on it. It seems like supervision there would be nice, but I suppose I'm not too dependent on this car functioning immediately. Still, the wife wouldn't like it too much if I borrowed her new car to go do water readings off road.

Keith from GDE said all I need is some common sense and a PC laptop to do the Eco tune. I read the guide he sent me, and I think I should be able to do that, even if I have to email back and forth a few times. (I found this board trying to figure out why it was getting 22 MPG down from 29 a few years ago).

The fuel pump looks like a great idea; I've already had a few air issues when it just stalls out. The first time I was up near Lyons with the wife and it just died as we were coming to a stop. It was on a Sunday, no shops would have been open even had there been one nearby. Thankfully, it did start after about a half hour. It wasn't until the second or third time that some random dude who had a Ford diesel told me it was probably air in the fuel line. I guess somewhat common for diesel? But that looks pretty involved, would definitely need some assistance there.

Provent seems like the better idea, especially after reading the EHM problems page. Again, that seems pretty involved.

Torque Converter has been upgraded, but I think to OEM? Will check the service records. The Jeep will frequently shudder to a halt at low speed, especially when it's not warmed up. Knowing shack jit about transmissions, is this the issue?

This CRD has 85K miles, and I really don't want the timing belt to slip and mash the engine. Do it asap?

Last summer it overheated a few times on Eisenhower Pass with the AC on. Obviously, we let it cool and recharged the AC, but haven't taken it on a long hot drive since. Would these recommendations help?

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

My offer to help on anything still valid.

Overheating: DO NOT DRIVE IT ON ANY MOUNTAIN PASSES UNTIL YOU REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. The clutch in it fails before 100k necessitating replacement. Also, check coolant to ensure it is HOAT. If a previous owner or shop put deathcool in it(DEXCOOL) it could cause your entire cooling system to clog. Towing up over the same pass, my engine never got hotter than 1 tick mark to the right of the 1/2 way mark. You do not want to overheat your engine or you'll find yourself with an expensive paperweight.

If you have torque converter shudder, its not necessarily a good sign. I'd first try replacing both filters and replacing fluid. Wrong fluid or filters that drain back could be your issue. A torque converter is relatively cheap if you provide the labor. Its not hard, just a little time consuming. I dropped my tranny in an afternoon but ended up needing help when I hurt my back and had help putting it back in.

Lift pump is not hard. Just holler when you want one.

Racor 245 is easy install...I can show you how to do soldering for the omega temp probe so wiring looks "factory"

To fix oil pan, consider a timesert insert. Very easy to use and once installed, use a fumoto valve.

Since your vehicle is an 05 with 85k miles, I would not wait to 100k miles to replace the timing belt, tensioner, all idlers, and water pump. Suffer a little now with the labor and expense and you'll be just fine for 100k miles. 8 years on a timing belt is pushing it.

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Drewd -

Thanks man! I mean, really: the shop where my wife's been taking it has not told me anything about this preventive maintenance. We bought it in 08 for 16K from a Chevy dealer, and whenever I've talked to a Jeep shop they've basically told me to go find somewhere else to deal with it.

I need to check my service records (still) to see what's been done especially regarding TC and the fan (she may have gotten that replaced, I'm not sure). This weekend there's a big to-do I can't miss up near Winter Park, but maybe soon I can get a bunch of parts together and then you can show me how to do some of this work? (I stopped by O'Reilly's yesterday and they had no idea what a Fumoto valve was, not encouraging.)

Now I'm a little worried about overheating and the timing belt. That is, to be sure, much better than having it all blow and a useless Jeep.

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Drewd -

One more thing (as if you haven't helped enough!) the shop said that one of the glow plugs was not working, but not to worry about it until winter rolls around. They said to ignore the CEL until I've dealt with that. I've read around here for a little, and it sounds like the Ecnotec (sp?) 7v are the way to go.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:50 am

Etecno.

Yes, if you want a drop-in replacement without having to flash the computer, then yes they are your best option.

http://www.dieselglowplug.com/gx3123-diesel-glow-plug-jeep-cherokee-liberty-p-2032.html

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

I can show you how to do a glow plug and even go as far as putting the socket on the plug but I will let you remove it. I don't want to the liability of it breaking off requiring head removal. With that said, I've done glow plugs 2 times now without any issues. #3 plug requires removal of intake stuff which is a bear but not hard, just timing consuming.

98blackss · **Posted:** Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:08 am

It looks like a couple of you are close to me. I'm in Castle Rock. I have a 2005 CRD and love it. Medved did the TB and I'm hoping they didnt screw it up. It definately ran differently and my mileage went down after they had their nasty paws all over it. Last Sat we were up in Breck for the afternoon and the turbo gave up the ghost. Shaft split. I just finished getting the turbo and intercooler out this afternoon. The intercooler was completely full of oil. The turbo wasnt that difficult to get out, the intercooler was the hardest. We ought to meet up and exchange info. I have discovered as well especially with this turbo R&R is not many shops know about this beast and the ones that do are stupid expensive.

TJ

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

I wish I could have been with you when you removed your turbo as it would have been a good learning experience for me. I could have gotten your intercooler out easily as it is something I've done before (basically pull front bumper clip and associated stuff including fan and radiator...30 minutes max taking my time).

98, did you religously do turbo cooldowns each and every engine shutdown?

98blackss · **Posted:** Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:29 pm

No turbo cool downs. We do have a 2 minute drive through the subdivision at idle speeds though.

Re intercooler removal, I too found it realitevely easy to remove the front bumper/facia and head light assembly. 6 plastic push retainers and 4 bolts and the front end was off. Too bad the AC lines route over and under the intercooler! With the AC lines above, below and to the left (you facing the intercooler) it comes out to the drivers side.

TJ

.45Cole · **Joined:** Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:11 pm **Posts:** 17

Hey I hope you guys don't mind be jumping on your ship, but I just bought a 05 limited CRD 68k and I'm in FOCO. I hear there is a sir sam to see up here? Also if psmitty2 is wrenching around would you guys mind if I looked over your shoulder (i had many fords, so I'm no newcomer to sockets)? These CRD's seem pretty cool, as long as you don't have a problem!

CATCRD · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:33 pm

.45Cole wrote:

Hey I hope you guys don't mind be jumping on your ship, but I just bought a 05 limited CRD 68k and I'm in FOCO. I hear there is a sir sam to see up here? Also if psmitty2 is wrenching around would you guys mind if I looked over your shoulder (i had many fords, so I'm no newcomer to sockets)? These CRD's seem pretty cool, as long as you don't have a problem!

Hey what's up, I'm in fort Collins too. What color is your ride? I may have seen it lately. We can meet up if you want to talk CRDs.

.45Cole · **Joined:** Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:11 pm **Posts:** 17

My CRD is a white limited-but I just bought it mon and I took it over the mountains to GJ (that thing pulls like a beast!) I'd be down to do a beer and see what you have done to your CRD, I haven't done anything yet. Do you know who what garage sir sam is out of?

CATCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jul 27, 2013 4:10 pm

He's doesn't work at a garage actually. We work at the same company here in town. He lives a few minutes away.

psmitty2 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:27 pm **Posts:** 20

Well, I have to be up in Ft. Collins on Wednesday AM if CATCRD and Sir Sam are around, maybe you wouldn't mind meeting up around noon to talk CRD? I might be on borrowed time with mine...

But stoked to get it prime!

Sir Sam - any rec's in Denver?

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