Have I Just Been LUCKY or What???

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:19 pm

OK,

I have been a member of this forum for a while now. I have read many, many of the posts. Back in '07 right after I got my '06 CRD, I had a pit in my stomach thinking that I bought the worst car that I would ever own considering what I had been reading!!!

But, I have had few issues (I think) compared to the troubles that have been listed on this board. My little tractor's build date says, 03/06 maybe that's what is helping. Or have I just been extremely lucky? Oh, about 66K on the clock.

To date, I have replace the brakes, rotors and all, Tires, oil changes always with filter, air filters and fuel filters. Oh yeah, I had to replace the dreaded left passenger window regulator. ( Seems to be a general Libby issue not CRD) And just this week I replaced the blower motor resister. (again a generic Libby issue) I dodged a bullet back in '08 IIRC when my local gas station put 8 gallons of RUG in during a fuel stop.

I see no d2 in the heater plug of my fuel filter head, the CAC hoses are (or seem to be) fine. The air box (stock) to turbo intake appears to be intact as well. No ORM, EHM or Provent, no GDE tune... nuttin' she is bone stock.

My wife has reported limp mode at times almost always right after getting fuel. She gets out tightens the fuel cap, (I know, I know system isn't pressurized) but that "seems" to cure the problem. She also has "phantom" check engine lights.... No drivability issues and they "go away". She swears she gets almost 30 mpg on the highway and I have found to get mid twenties when I drive it in town. (always from fill-to-fill method not the on-board computer guess)

So, some may be thinking, here it comes, here comes the "got-cha" the catastrophic failure he is about to lay on us! Well, sorry to disappoint. My little story goes like this:

Recently, when I could pry the Libby away from my wife, I would get in, take off and a belch of black smoke would fog the cars behind me at WOT, normally, after a few good hard accelerations :twisted:

the smoke would subside and all would be well, but, I was not hearing my beloved turbo whistle like in the past either... at first the pit came back, then I realized I hadn't cleaned the MAP in over a year since we moved. Ah ha! that's it! So I pulled the MAP, there she was a covered in gunk like normal. I cleaned her as best as I could, a year takes a toll on this little sensor. And, I thought that does not address the turbo either...

So, with a fresh fuel filter, (more to follow on that) air filter, clean Map sensor, and a full tank of fresh dino juice, I hit the street. Still smoke but the turbo sounded better, or maybe I was tuning into it better. So, I did what any normal L.O.S.T. member would do.... I re-read the noob guide and decided what the heck since "I" was driving the tractor this week I would give the ORM a shot!!! all I can say is WOW!!! My little tractor is back. The soot cleared up after a couple days, my fond clatter is back and the turbo sounds as goood as ever!!! :pepper:

There is still a little lost power at take-off, the turbo lag "seems" to be like it was prior to the clean up and ORM but it is back to being fun to drive again!!

My question is this: Why? Isn't there all the dreaded build up in the CAC hoses and intercooler? Remember there is no EHM or provent.

Lastly, I hope I haven't just given myself "the bad eyes" as my grandmother would say.

Looking back, I personally think these ARE a lot of problems for a car that is only five years old with 66K miles.... But, I knew I had bought a Chrysler product so I didn't expect the quality that I have in my Toyota or even the Hyundai that I owned.

Have I been lucky?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:03 pm

Sounds pretty normal to me.

only question is why haven't the Turbo hoses died yet - but if you wife drives calmly (not like me) she may not be running high turbo pressures - so even though they're oil soaked - they still hold.

and FYI - most CRD's don't have that many problems - just the few that do pop up are looking on the internet for help and LOST has more help than anywhere else - so you hear about a lot of problems - it's just not representative of 'average' - which would be someone who's never logged into an internet forum looking for help...... (there are still thousands out there)

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:04 pm

That's kind of what I guessed. The only folks coming here are having issues and are looking for help to resolve their issues.

As far as the turbo hoses go, mine are soft like radiator hoses and I guess if I squeezed hard enough I could collapse them. However, unless you replace them with Ridged hoses, won't the salvo hoses do the same?

Also, what about the intercooler itself? Being plastic, is there any way to "clean it"??? Or what about an aftermarket replacement?

Like I said, once I can keep it away from my wife, I want to make the most of the little 4cyl mill!

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:12 pm

Well some of us come here to learn and stay ahead of issues or are looking to improve performance/economy (thanks GDE). The only CRD specific issue I've had was a failed tstat (stoutdog's only issue was the air box to turbo hose came apart) other than that I got a new battery after 6 years and will soon to replace the not so good OEM tires after 40K miles. Of course both stoutdog and I have low mileage vehicles and don't push them hard. The NOOB guide is a good place for CRD specific maintenance items like cleaning the MAP sensor.

As to the turbo hoses. Some go early and some much later but IMHO they go often enough that I went ahead and proactively got Samcos just so it's done and over with as I plan to keep the little beast a long time. The OEM turbo hoses are somewhat soft but if they get downright squishy and oil soaked (especially the turbo>intercooler hose) such that when you squeeze the hose it's like squeezing an oil soaked sponge then best start saving $s for replacement.

In spite of being plastic the intercooler doesn't seem to cause much problem although a few have had pinhole leaks which can be fixed with JB Weld (see http://colorado4wheel.com/content/KJ_TB.html - scroll way down, FYI this link also shows the air box to turbo hose failure). It can be cleaned with soap and water but probably only off the vehicle so I wouldn't even think about bothering unless it was coming off for some other reason.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:01 pm

I go for preemptive maintenance/modification.
I don't like to wait until it breaks.
Now a salute for the bean counter engineers :goink:

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:46 pm

DadsDiesel wrote:

....................and decided what the heck since "I" was driving the tractor this week I would give the ORM a shot!!! all I can say is WOW!!! My little tractor is back.

Now just think about what it would have been like if you had been running the ORM all these years, think about all the fuel you would have saved.........

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:28 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

DadsDiesel wrote:

....................and decided what the heck since "I" was driving the tractor this week I would give the ORM a shot!!! all I can say is WOW!!! My little tractor is back.

Now just think about what it would have been like if you had been running the ORM all these years, think about all the fuel you would have saved.........

I totally agree, but, my wife would not stand for a "constant" CEL. I have had a hard enough time keeping her from taking the Jeep to the stealership when it does throw a CEL. Mostly, I clean the Map sensor, and it goes away.

As far as mileage, I never had an issue with fuel economy... except when I drive it! :twisted:

I remember when GDE was just starting to offer their services. We were a skeptical bunch. GLad it has worked out so well.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:42 pm

Ya, but the SEGR has been around a long time too.

And sure fuel economy may have been fine, but its better with the ORM.

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:09 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Ya, but the SEGR has been around a long time too.

And sure fuel economy may have been fine, but its better with the ORM.

Geesh Sam,

I know, I know....

So, what you are sayin is that I have been lax on the job huh??? LMAO, that's what happens when you have a company car. One gets lulled into that false sense of security.

I have been drivin the tractor for a week and already I have spent more on it than in the last year. Just doin some "differed" maintainence, finally got around to puttin a hitch on it... Now dreaming of a GDE tune, new TC, Samco hoses.... ah, well...

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:45 pm

In any case if your not going to get the GDE tune(which I haven't) then consider getting or building a SEGR for it. It's understandable that you don't want the CEL on, but its hard for me to remember a time when it wasn't on for me. :SOMBRERO:

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:58 pm

My CRD was a company car that I got to keep in the divorce. Aside from not being able to drive it in the summer, it's been a great vehicle.

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Jul 24, 2011 2:16 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

My CRD was a company car that I got to keep in the divorce. Aside from not being able to drive it in the summer, it's been a great vehicle.

Ok,

I will bite, why can't u drive it in the summer??

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:50 pm

DadsDiesel wrote:

Ok,
I will bite, why can't u drive it in the summer??

because he doesn't want to troubleshoot the overheating problem -
he just wants to say 'some CRD's just overheat' - kinda like magic

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:37 pm

72,000 miles and no issues. I bought the truck from a very good owner who did the Suncoast/Transco/Inmotion. It's been a wonderful truck.

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:05 am

Well,

A year later and nothing much to speak of in issues. Now have 76K on the clock.

I did do the ORM last year and the CEL came on as promised. I had to remove it to do the safety ck. to renew registration.

That was last July. The CEL came back on without the ORM. shortly after the inspection. I figured it had to do with the ORM, there were no drive-ability issues other than a noticeable drop in MPG and a lot of smoke at WOT (Italian tune up cleared that when I could get the tractor away from my wife).

I finally got a code reader this month (registration renewal coming up) and I had P0410 and P0299. So I came here and did a search on those codes.

So, I cleared them, cleaned the MAP, (oily) pulled the CAC hose turbo-to-IC, pulled the air box out, felt the play in the turbo, (didn't feel loose, spun ok - but what do I know) looked at the vacuum hose going from the disc thing on top of the turbo. Interestingly enough, it just has a little 90 degree rubber piece coming off then goes to a metal tube back to the vacuum housing on the pass side fender then changes back to rubber hose. It looks fine. CAC hose no where as oily as I would have expected to see and appears to be in good shape with visual inspection. The IC did have a little oil at the bottom of the tube flange where the hose connects. Again, not dripping, just enough to wipe out with my finger. Plastic housing from airbox to turbo is in good shape. I replaced the air filter.

P0299 gone, now I have P0410 (or is it P0401) being over 50 I have gotten dyslexic! It is the EGR code.

So, my question is, by doing the ORM, does the EGR "gunk up" and there by give up the ghost? If that is the case, I don't really want to replace it and just have the same thing happen again. It seems that when all said and done a GDE tune is almost the same cost (a little more) but at least I will not be throwing money away on a new EGR.

What about the drop in MPG thing? Even my wife was complaining that it "felt" like she wasn't getting as good as mileage as before. Computer says 24-26 I have not done a fill-fill mpg test yet but based on miles driven and a "feel" for what I have spent on fill-ups (gallons not dollars) I am going to guess 19-20.

Power is OK smoke gone. Power does seem less than when I got the vehicle and the turbo "whine" is less pronounced. <bummer>

Any thoughts?

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:51 pm

The EGR has most likely failed, possibly in a partially-open position. These are complete crap, and I'm shocked that yours hasn't died previously, as they usually only last about 20k or so.

Where in the Carolinas are you? I'm in Savannah, for when you get ready to have your timing belt done (coming up soon!) and if you need anything else done or need spare parts.

If you wanted to for some strange reason, I have 2 EGR valves I could sell - Both are working, but haven't been used in a VERY long time - I have an SEGR that I bought before I bought the CRD, and installed almost immediately after signing the papers.

The real solution to your problems would be a combination of both the GDE tune and the SEGR, or at least just the tune - You might also be getting garbage data from a failing MAF sensor, which is confusing the computer's fueling maps. Contrary to popular belief on here, I do not believe that the MAF is "only" used for the EGR, I think it also effects the fuel maps, but when the MAF is unplugged, the computer locks onto a "default" map which is usually better-feeling than the way they had it before.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:12 am

Sir Sam wrote:

DadsDiesel wrote:

....................and decided what the heck since "I" was driving the tractor this week I would give the ORM a shot!!! all I can say is WOW!!! My little tractor is back.

Now just think about what it would have been like if you had been running the ORM all these years, think about all the fuel you would have saved.........

I've got 6 years of continuous hand calculated mpg data containing periods with and without the ORM which show that there is no noticable impact on fuel economy.

Any difference in power is barely noticeable unlike gassers which even my wife managed to notice increased performance when the EGR failed

.

The only real advantage is not circulating soot back into the engine.

DadsDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:03 pm

Geordi,

I am in ENC near the Crystal Coast SOBX

I think I will go for the GDE tune instead of the EGR.

A question that I have is why have I NOT had a CAC hose fail? Or an inlet hose fail? My MAP sensor is oily but not nearly as cruddy as when I first cleaned it years ago.

I also have the stock fuel head and it hasn't leaked or failed.

I'd really like to keep this truck and let my kids drive it. You know, good viz, feels tight, easy to park/drive.

I just have not experienced the problems that some have had here. Heck, even under the hood looks pretty good minus the acorns I keep finding in the fall... Not so much since I moved south but that has only made things cleaner...

The turbo does seem "quieter" and the power is off some too. Maybe just that EGR issue.

But I don't run the EHM or Provent and the CAC from the turbo to IC looks pretty clean. Nothing like I expected.

As for the timing belt change, I know it is coming soon.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:34 pm

FYI - get an extra set of Turbo hoses

The GDE tune - raises Turbo pressure early and higher - to make power without having to inject more fuel
so marginal hoses will fail quickly.

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:19 pm

They may have upgraded them as a running change in the later builds. Mine is a May 06 and my hoses were in pretty good shape. The Turbo hose was weeping a little but had no weak spots, but I replaced them with Samcos anyway.

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