Hey, new member here. I'm looking at selling my TDI Jetta and getting a Liberty CRD, and I've been looking at the 2006 models. But I have a couple of questions regarding the F37 and transmission reliability.

I realize that generally only people with problems will post on a board, so it looks like there are more problems than actually exist. But what does the F37 "fix" in the transmission, and what does it take away? I've seen a post or two referring to buying a new transmission control unit that is NOT F37'd... How much is something like that, and do I really want to do that?

I am looking at towing a trailer in the 2 ton range, and that is a bit more than my Jetta is rated for (even tho it HAS pulled it once at very low speed) so I need something bigger. But I also usually drive my vehicles past 200k miles, and I want to know if the CRD is capable of that. I'm sure the ENGINE is... But on the Jetta the transmission is a $6,000 part. And it's lifespan is questionable. How about the Liberty?

--Jim

New to the CRD, but long-time Diesel and transmission tech, here - here's what I see:

The 545-series 5speed automatic transmission is same as used in the Chrysler and Dodge 5.7L V8 hemi-powered vehicles, and shares parts with the 45-series 4speed autos used in some of the other Dodge pickups\suv's, so it is not a scarce rarity, and there is a tremendous aftermarket segment that upgrades and rebuilds them as a matter of course - no problem there - a new hi-performance heavy-duty torque convertor is ~6-700bucks, shift kit is ~60bucks, aftermarket fan-cooled auxilliary external trans cooler is ~100bucks - do that stuff and voila!! - no more slushy overheating - potential transmission problems solved.

F37 was for defective oil pump design and modern-design noisy plastic torque convertor - also detuned the engine output a little to protect the transmission and t\c, (so the replacement is prolly still plastic) which is recoverable by an aftermarket tuner with switchable power ranges or an ECM reflash, but the t\c and trans is still slushy, tho easily fixable, as above

Once the derated oem lower ball joints are replaced with direct-fit aftermarket hd versions, greasable or not, other area of concern is prolly the reliability of the EGR unit valve - that's covered by DC under your warranty, but likely others are working on an alternate fix, so stay turned here

The 2.8L Diesel engine is a world-class 500kmi unit, if properly serviced - the transmission is easily serviced and upgraded for efficient towing and hi-performance enjoyability - try it, you'll like it.................

_________________
'05 CRD Limited
Pricol EGT, Boost
GDE Hot '11; EDGE Trail switched
SEGR; Provent; Magnaflow;
Suncoast T\C, Transgo Tow'n'Go switch;
Cummins LP module, Fleetguard filter, Filterminder
2.5" Daystar f, OME r; Ranchos; K80767's, Al's lifted uppers
Rubicons, 2.55 Goodyears
Four in a row really makes it go

Thank you for the info, it's actually more helpful than you realize b/c I just got back from a local dealer (KJ I'm looking to get is 4 hours away) and they gave me the complete Mopar service history. For a truck with just North of 22k on it, it hasn't been in service much (good sign) but has had several recalls done to it.

Sadly, the F37 was one of them, but I can't tell if they replaced the pump as well as the TC. According to the sheet, the TC was replaced and the TCM flashed. Bugger. I'm all about reliability in my cars, so I probably will be doing the aftermarket TC fairly soon. But how important is a replacement pump when they do that recall? Is it just b/c of the seals, or is there another reason?

According to the sheets, the following has been done to this truck:

F21 Reprogram body control module - <??? wtf does that mean?>
F23 Lower Ball Joints
F37 Tq Converter and reprogram PCM / TCM
G03 KJ Blower Motor

Also, the paperwork states that the KJ has a 3/36 powertrain warranty (B/c their parts are such crap that they don't want to have to keep fixing them) and it's NOT transferrable. Nice. So if they won't give me a decent deal on an extended... I will be getting that TC a lot sooner than I thought.

Under warranty, the only repairs it has had are:
glow plugs at 15k miles (first time for service!)
Fuel pump regulator and the ECM at 18k.

What's odd is that the ECM replacement has two entries, with the same mileage keyed in, but dates of March 7 and March 30 of this year. Any thoughts why? The car's next service item is at the dealer that has it now for sale, at 22k miles. So I'm thinking that the owner got fed up with the service life, but didn't know about the online support world. Coming from a VW TDI... I know ALL ABOUT lousy dealer service and how to get around it. Maybe he didn't.

What do the masses think?