Plugs, Starter, Tensioner and Alternator...decisions

RJS · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:06 pm

All, am interested in your thoughts on what to do with my 2005 CRD.

Recently had a CEL and had to have the glow plugs fixed - same story as everyone, a failed GBP 15 part involved replacing them all and ECU flash and much lighter wallet and I'm sure its taking longer to start with these new plugs.

When the service was done at the same time it was bought my attention the tensioner is noisy and tired, there is a "rattle" on startup which they think is the starter motor (I don't get this - why would starter rattle once the engine is running?), and the alternator bearings are noisy.

I'm in a slight dilemma now, the quoted costs of fixing this using Jeep supplied parts is north of GBP 1200 (thats 2000 of your USD) including Jeep supplied parts that include an alternator that must include diamond and gold leaf as components.

Options are:
1) Call it a day after 6 years and trade it in as is for a replacement non Jeep soft roader - feels a bit like trading in your pet dog though just because its got worms, just wrong.
2) Roll over and get it all fixed with costs as quoted and just resign myself that its an 05 model and bits and pieces will need replacing
3) Just ignore it and hope nothing happens - I am reluctant to do this as know it will end in more problems.
4) Source non Jeep UK supplied parts, get some decent tools together and attack at least some of this myself, how hard can these be to fix? I've done a lot of maintenance on my own vehicles in the days before cars became computers on wheels and I could only afford to buy things that were falling apart.

I really want to keep this Jeep longer term as it is such a useful vehicle, but get the feeling option 4 is the only way forward to avoid getting bled dry.

Any thoughts or suggestions of other angles I should look at welcome.

Thanks

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:00 pm

How many miles on the ride? I ask in the context of needing a new timing belt at 100K miles knowing that this installation is well within the means of a decent shade tree mechanic if you take your time and that over here the belt can be had for under $100.

It's a diesel and diesels always "rattle" at/just after startup. A starter pretty much works or it doesn't work. There is no reason for it to make any noise after the engine is running unless the starter fails to disengage from the flywheel.

Which "tensioner" are they referring to. If it's the serpentine belt tensioner the online price with shipping is ca. $200 over here and it's a relatively easy DIY project with simple tools. If it's the alternator clutch along with alternator bearings I don't know about your side of the pond but over here getting an alternator or starter, for that matter, rebuilt is not that big a deal (say $150-200 each) and the alternator removal/install is another relatively easy DIY project with simple tools. By simple tools I mean basic 3/8" ratchet, a couple of sockets in the right sizes, maybe a 3/8" extension, and maybe a 3/8" breaker bar to better work the tensioner bolt.

I kind of think about repair costs relative to vehicle cost/monthly payment amount, not that I borrow money to buy vehicles. Regardless of who does the work any vehicle needs maintenance (battery, brakes, tires, and such) so that's a predictable cost of vehicle ownership. Then there are repairs when something breaks like an alternator dies which I tend to figure is no big deal if the average annual cost is on the order of 1-3 monthly car payments regardless of vehicle "value". Yes I know all the arguments about why spend $XXX on a vehicle that's worth less than that. But the flip side is if those repairs will put the vehicle back on the road for a long period of time then you have avoided the much higher cost of a new vehicle. In your case given what may need doing I'd go with option 4 and DIY. Now if you had blown up the engine I might have a different opinion.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:43 am

Sounds like you're not 100% happy with the diagnosis. Maybe a 2nd opinion would be in order before you start spending money on it.

DIY is the only realistic option on this vehicle. It will cost you too much to maintain otherwise.

racertracer · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:28 am

I believe that all you may need is an alternator decoupler, the part costs approximately $60-$85, plus installation, unless you know how to do the work yourself then $0 labor cost.

Your alternator decoupler has failed and is dragging down the tensioner.

The dealer and mechanics, misdiagnose the problem to be a failed tensioner, but in fact the tensioner is fine, it's the decoupler that is bad.

Buy the part online and install it, it will be cheaper than the dealer, you should be good after that.

Spoken from experience, this happened to most of us.

Fix the decoupler fist and then look into the Starter noise, if any noise is heard at all after the decoupler replacement is done.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:18 pm

Good idea on the alternator decoupler. Per GDE - if the alternator decoupler pulley has a lot of reddish dust on the cover, this signals a failing one-way clutch. Run it at idle again while looking at the accesory drive belt. The belt tensioner is located on the lower left of the front of the engine. If you see this thing bouncing, it signals a bad alternator pulley. It should be rock solid. Excessive bouncing of the tensioner will also wear it out prematurely.

RJS · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:31 am

Thanks everyone for their thoughts on this.

Its only got around 40,000 miles and the dealer advice did refer to the serpentine belt.

I'm now convinced the starter is fine, the serpentine tensioner looks ok and not making a noise I can detect plus the metallic rattle on idle is consistent with all the other posts about the alternator decoupler, the serpentine belt isn't visibly jumping around so I'm guessing the decoupler is just in the early stages of breaking down.

Will get this resolved ASAP to avoid any collateral damage to the serpentine tensioner. Tempted to replace the whole alternator and decoupler, but will assess this on costs, lot of specialist places in the UK can supply these at reasonable costs.

Still praying for some decent snow to drive around in.

whitedog · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:10 am

Hello. I am trying to learn what I can about the CRD and saw this post. TDIs have the decoupling pulley as well and it needs attention occasionally. I am assuming that this requires special tooling to remove the pully and wonder if I already have the tool if needed.

Thanks for any assistance.

snowman_crd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:50 am

For clarification....would a rebuilt alternator include a new decoupler? Meaning if the whole alternator is replaced there would be the only part that would need to be aquired?

racertracer · **Posted:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:55 am

snowman_crd wrote:

For clarification....would a rebuilt alternator include a new decoupler? Meaning if the whole alternator is replaced there would be the only part that would need to be aquired?

Some rebuilt alernators come with it attached. check with company before buying.

Plugs, Starter, Tensioner and Alternator...decisions

Who is online