Hi all,

First of all, this site looks really great, and provides a wealth of info about the CRD's, so thanks to all of you for creating and maintaining it.

Now, on to my sad story: I have been looking to buy one of these ever since they first came out, but just couldn't afford it at the time. Now, I have been looking for one with low miles and a reasonable price. I thought I found one and went to go pick it up Saturday (it was about a 5 hour drive from my home.) When we took a look at it, I noticed a few things were...odd. The tires were all VERY worn (only had about 34K miles on it) and the windshield wipers were worn down to just the flat rubber that holds it on. At that point I wasn't worried (just a couple hundred bucks for some nice tires and about 20 for the wipers and should be good to go.) I also noticed the switch that adjusted the rear view mirrors was broken and the rear passenger window would not roll down (I think some people said the rear windows are a known weak spot on ALL liberties of this vintage - I could hear the window motor running but it didn't move.) Again, not thrilled with that, but should be easy/cheap to fix. So I took a test drive, and all seemed well...until I noticed the smoke coming from under the hood...uh-oh.
I mentioned this to the dealer and was assured that this was because they had just changed-out the glow plugs and might have spilled something, so they said they would throw-in a warranty to repair anything that broke for the next couple of months/K miles because they knew it was OK, so I thought "OK I'll go for it, if it breaks I'm covered."
Then I signed the papers and proceeded to the nearest Walmart to buy new wipers. about $20 later I was ready to fill her up and head home.
I stopped-off at the closest gas station and filled my wife's car with gas and my new (to me) CRD with diesel (woohoo!) I did notice something dripping from the bottom, but assumed it was just the wiper fluid from me testing my new wipers (BIG mistake.)
So then head to the nearby on-ramp and home with my CRD. As I proceed up the on-ramp, the engine cut-out (oh shoot this is not good.) It started to smoke a LOT. I was able to restart it, and as soon as I gave it some pedal to get up to speed, the engine died again. I thought "oh shoot what if its leaking oil, I better not drive it anymore." So, I checked the oil and it was fine (funny they have the "wrapping material" on the dip stick, that was new to me.)
I took a chance and (slowly) made my way to the first exit, then (with a huge cloud of smoke following me) was able to take it back to the dealer. When we got there, we caught the finance guy closing-up (it was late on a Saturday by then.) I took a look at my wife's car (she had been following me) and there was a ton of diesel fuel drops on it and a steady drip from below the Liberty. At this point the finance guy asked me what I wanted to do and I elected to undo the deal and return it to them and said, I would consider it if they could fix it and were willing to deliver it the ~5 hour drive to my house (figuring that would be a good test.)
Now, fast forward to today: the dealer calls me and asks if I still want it and that it was a simple fix (he said they had forgotten to tighten something in the fuel line or add an O seal when they replaced the glow plugs.) This is a Dodge dealership.
At this point I am pretty sure I am going to just let it pass, but wanted some opinions on how reasonable their explanation is and how likely I am to find another low mileage Liberty in decent shape if I let this one pass.

Doesn't sound good.

It reaks of big repair bills.

Does it have the new torque converter?

How low of mileage are we talking?

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2006 Liberty Limited CRD, Deep Beryl Green, Yeti tune, Arp studs, new cams, rockers, lifters, TB. "Green Monster"
2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Deep Beryl Green, GDE Hot Tune, ARP studs. "Rocket"
1982 Fiat 124 Spider Convertible. "Fiona"

I would just keep it. You drove it 5 hours and it performed well. Why would you give up over a little fuel leak? If you are gonna give up this easy, you should not even bother to get another CRD. They are far from perfect vehicles, and there are not alot of people out there that can competently repair it for you. The best CRD mechanic is your self.

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2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

I don't think he drove it 5 hours, he tried to, and then couldn't so he took it back.


I would say in this case to pass. They had their chance, move on and call it a day.

Honestly, if you can, arrange financing through your bank/credit union, and find a CRD to buy from the owner. You are more likely to find a CRD that you know the history on and won't be needing little things like wipers and tires. (or if you do the owner can just tell you the tires are near the end of their life). There are always used CRD's coming up for sale, and if your willing to drive or fly to get them you can find a good deal.

There have been several members here sell their CRD, often times with mods that add value or are excellent upgrades(tuned ECUs, upgraded torque converters, lift pumps, better tires[stock tires are terrible BTW], and so on). I would keep an eye out for one of those.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

I'm not sure - it could just be that the dealer is clueless about CRD's - that's extremely common.

the drips/oring story - sounds like the didn't tighten the fuel filter but that wouldn't cause smoke
the smoke/no power sounds like a blown turbo hose.

if they changed glow plugs - I'd be real nervous - they don't go out often and changing unnecessarily can cause problems. (but the Check Engine Light would be on)

worn tires - means they didn't maintain it well.

if the oil level was okay with the engine warm - it's probably a quart overfilled - it takes at least 30 minutes for the oil to drain back to normal - and the extra will just blow into the intake manifold.

you need someone who knows Diesels to check it out -
if the Dodge dealership does Cummins/Sprinter service - they have someone - you need that mechanic to walk you over the problem and what they did to fix it, and point out Fuel filter and turbo hoses ect.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Growlor,

What is your location? There are a couple of nice CRD's for sale here on the board currently.

In Illinois, good price but slightly higher mileage w/ 78,000 miles: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=49755

In NoCal, very low miles: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=49755

In Pennsylvania (I like this one the best, it has the best combination of known longevity mods and low mileage for the price): viewtopic.php?f=35&t=51248

And not sure where this one is - only 6,000 miles, but he is PROUD of it = $$$: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=50895

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In this war of lines, so many have been crossed. Where will it all stop?

2006 Deep Beryl Green CRD Sport *SOLD 1/22/12*
Provent, V6 Airbox, Fumoto, Samcos, GDE ECO & TCM Tune, Euro JK TC, Magnaflow Catback
245/70/16 Destination A/T's
Boiler's Radiator Skid Plate
Jeepin' By Al 2.5 inch Adjust-A-Strut Lift, JBA Gen 4.5 UCA's (6/5/10)

Linewarbr - I am in Toledo, OH. That one was a 2006 that had a touch less than 34K miles on it and they wanted just under $16K.

Sir Sam - you are correct, I drove 5 hours to pick it up, but had it break-down before I could drive it back.

All - thank you VERY much for the replies. At this point, I am likely to let it pass. It's too bad, but I think the wife is against it now too. I'll keep looking.

RUN from that dealer. They want your money, and to be rid of their problems. Unless you have a warranty contract written out and provided from Mopar... That "guarantee" of a warranty is as likely to be honored as the 20 million I just won in the Microsoft/UK/FBI/National Lottery from my email address.

Dealers are NOT to be trusted with these things. You are MUCH better off with a private sale, especially from someone here.

_________________
Proud supporting vendor of LOST Jeeps
TRAVELING CRD TECH. I come to you!
Need help? Just ask! I've taken it apart more than most.
Email jeep [at] maincomputer [dot] com - BOARD MESSAGING IS BROKEN
Over 225 CRDs currently driving with my valves, timing belt, rockers, or ARP Studs.
Bad noises = REALLY bad things.

Mine is a 2006 Sport Model that I bought for $12k with 24k miles. Granted, diesel was $4.75 a gallon when I bought it, but still - just for reference.

Maybe contact the Illinois seller here on the forum about coming and seeing his. (Or would the one in Pennsylvania be closer to you?) At least then you can see and experience one of these little beasties on a positive rather than negative note. Might help convince the wife, too.

_________________
In this war of lines, so many have been crossed. Where will it all stop?

2006 Deep Beryl Green CRD Sport *SOLD 1/22/12*
Provent, V6 Airbox, Fumoto, Samcos, GDE ECO & TCM Tune, Euro JK TC, Magnaflow Catback
245/70/16 Destination A/T's
Boiler's Radiator Skid Plate
Jeepin' By Al 2.5 inch Adjust-A-Strut Lift, JBA Gen 4.5 UCA's (6/5/10)

I still say, if you are gonna drive one of these, you need deep pockets, or you better have a mechanical ability and be able to turn wrenches

_________________
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

[quote][ still say, if you are gonna drive one of these, you need deep pockets, or you better have a mechanical ability and be able to turn wrenches /quote]


X2

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2005 sport crd-SOLD No regrets

Or a little of both

or have a good friend who knows their way around these

and there is always luck, I still hear the occasional poster who bought theirs, maintained by the book, just drove it and are @ 100K miles and wondering what the fuss is about. I'll take any of those as I am not going to suddenly become a diesel mechanic.

100K is OK, but how much EGR gunk is in the intake, that they cant see? Will the intake be just as good at 200K?

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2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

Very true, although many private sellers aren't exactly honest, either. I'm the opposite, I suppose - I've done more work on the CRD after deciding to sell it than I'd done in a long time previous: 1) Installed the SEGR module I built a long time ago, 2) found and fixed a leaking #4 injector seal, 3) replaced thermostat, and ran a can of Diesel Purge through it, plus it's fresh got oil and all filters.

I would have never done the work if I'd traded it in when we bought our Outback, but since MY name is on the line for the sale, I want it as perfect as is reasonably expected - i.e. I'm not going to sell it with known defects. Yes, it could use new shocks - but that's maintenance - and I'll leave it up to the buyer what sort of suspension they want to install.

I've also greatly enjoyed driving it around as a backup vehicle while I've been doing some major maintenance to my VW TDI. It runs so much better without that EGR junk and solving the persistent, but faint exhaust odor through the cabin vents (the injector seal) is a great satisfaction. I can only imagine what a dealer would have charged to fix that seal since the injector was pretty well packed in with soot (mixed with CCV oil drool). They probably would have wrecked the injector or the head getting it out and cost $$$$ to fix. It took me 3 days, but only $7 for the seals. The loss of my sanity was free!

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'02 Jetta TDI Wagon 5 spd (mine)
'10 Outback (her's)
'05 CRD Sport (hangar queen)