fefrank wrote:
So... I've always loved the CRD, never had the chance to buy one. but i just found a CRD with 159,000 miles for 3500 bucks. I am shade tree mechanic, and my brother was a mechanic, he ended up joining the military and staying to live overseas. So I winded up with all of his tools, they have served me well for 7 years now. Anyways long story short, really want this CRD; link below;
https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/5342186?ad_cid=2I read the entire noob section and my concerns are, that this CRD hasn't been maintained. The dealer does not have any service records for it and I am worreid about catastrophic damage to the engine with all those miles on it. I've read of timing belt breaking and messing up all of the rockers, 800 dollars for all of those. Turbos going out, 900 dollars for a new turbo. Timing belt kit is goign for 400 dollars. the most expensive timing belt kit i've ever seen to be honest. So is this a thing with the CRD? Does this particular KJ CRD have any life left? Please let me know. Thanks in advance
All of your worries can and have happened. The timing belt job is fairly expensive even if you do it yourself and people often recommend doing the rockers and ARP head studs as preventative maintenance at the same time, since you are most of the way there anyways. I would say $1000 just in parts for all of that.
There is also the issue of dropping valves. Its become apparent that the exhaust valves break off at the stem and fall in to the cylinder which is obviously not a good thing.
Honestly, if i were you, I don't know that I would consider one of these at all. If you insist that you must have one, get one you know the history on and that the owner took great care of it. Things like timing belt changes, EGR deletes, GDE Tunes ,and use of proper diesel engine oils are all good things to look for.