Loving my CRD - mostly

SFOCRD · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:40 am **Posts:** 12

I've had my CRD for about 4 months now - and it's been great! For the last couple of weeks i've been driving it to the mountains for some skiing and the power going up steep grades is incredible! The only negative so far has been cold weather starting - it wouldn't start on a ten degree morning - until the tempature warmed-up. After that i discovered the block heater - no further issues.

Hoping to keep this truck for years!

CRD05il · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:07 am

I agree with you I have own mine since August.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:51 am

Should still start at ten degrees without block heater. Something needs attention.

DOC

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

You should look at your battery,or glow plugs,or even fuel filter,i live in canada,ive had my crd for a year,and it always started good,even at -25c to -30c no problem,of course it runs rough if i dont plug it at thoses temp, its a diesel,when im home i do plug it,but at work doing 12-13 hours shifts,i cant plug it and it never let me down,but just to be safe i installed a new battery last summer,the oil change is done,and i do change the fuel filter every two oil changes.

I would think your original battery is going,of course if the original is still in it,after almost 7 years,it would be normal,but no start at 10 degrees is for sure not normal,so start looking.

Does the glow plug light comes on?Check engine light?Give us some hints and we might be able to help you out with this issue.When was the last oil change?Do you use any kind of fuel additive for winter?Dont forget winter fuel can cause a lot of headaches,so try to use some good additive,like POWER SERVICE.

SFOCRD · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:40 am **Posts:** 12

Thank you for all the insights
In the cold weather - the glow plug light came on - after a couple of seconds. No check engine light
Oil change about 5,000 miles ago.
After the no start incident I started adding Power Service the white bottle
I also ordered a new fuel filter, but haven't had time to install it yet.
Could very well be the battery - i'll have a look at it.

-jc

SFOCRD · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:40 am **Posts:** 12

not sure if it matters, but i have a GDE eco tune

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Good to know you already have GDE tune,because that helps for many problems,like the egr,map,and your oil now stays cleaner,so thoses are a few things we can eliminate.

Let us know how much mileage you crd is at right now,i ask this because of the glow plug failure problem,but if it was a glow plug,you would have a check engine light.

First thing i would do is to check the battery by doing a load test,to see if its strong enough during cold start.(does the engine crank but just wont start,or dosent turn crank at all)

Dont worry about the glow plug light,it is normal that it dosent stay on for a long time,mine at around -20c stays on for no more than 3-5 seconds.

Do you have a record of maintenance for that jeep from where you bought it,or from the previous owner?

Do you run 0w40 or 5w40 grade diesel synthetic oil?(this is very important point)

I know its a lot of questions,but the more we know,the more we can help :wink:

camo · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:23 pm

Is your check engine light working? double check by putting the switch at the on position without starting the engine, then look at the check engine light by the top right part of the instrument cluster. If you don't see it then the diode is bad (probably broken). This is actually something common if the past owner took the libby to a half... mechanic. A lot of them prefer to damage the check engine diode when they get frustrated with the recurring EGR problem.
Needless to say, if your check engine light is bad, you may have a couple of unknown problems and among them one or two bad glow plugs, which will cause hard start in cold mornings.
let us know how it plays out.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:51 pm

Comments:
1. read Sir Sam's NOOB guide
2. if you are near 100k the timing belt needs doing at 100k; if you are over 100k be sure it was done but if you cannot be sure do it anyway.
3. glow plug light should come on as soon as you switch on the key not "after a couple of seconds" and go off after a couple of seconds. If it's coming on slow I'd suspect battery especially if you have the original Red Top.
4. if any LED cluster lights don't work they may be dead or disabled (the latter has been known to happen). Either way don't fall for the dealer idea of dead LEDs=$700 instrument cluster replacement+labor LEDs cost like $3 and can be replaced by any good hand with a soldering gun if the instrument cluster is pulled.
5. at 5k IMHO you are close to needing an oil and oil filter change which should be done at 6k. I simply don't believe in 10-12k change intervals. Be sure to use the right oil - full synthetic diesel rated like 5w-40 Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic; thicker oil and/or dino and/or not diesel rated = bad engine wear and hard cold cranking.

SFOCRD · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:40 am **Posts:** 12

Thank you for all the help!

I'm thinking it's the battery - red top Optima is what I have now. I'll get it tested tomorrow.

89K miles - so 11K from the timing belt/water pump

The oil is MOPAR (for a CRD)

I don't have any of the original owners maintenance records, but when I ran a carfax it looks like the car was service regularly. It has the new fuel/water separator unit and based on the shift pattern it also has the F37 update.

I had all the fluids changed just after i purchased it. And have a new intercooler and CAC hoses.

The check engine light works.

Hopefully it's just the battery i'll know tomorrow.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:22 am

Frankly if it was me I'd skip the battery testing step on an original red top; after 6 or so years and in the dead of winter it may not be toast but it has had a long run. Best just figure on a new battery. Things to look for - group 34R is ideal but not really needed as most all group 34 batteries have terminals near the edge so they can be mounted with the + post on the driver's side and the cables will reach although the - may need a slight bend and 800+ CCA. The red top battery blanket won't fit (too short) but some keep it with a bit of extra velcro to hold it in place, I did not keep it.

I and others like the Sears Platinum P-1 which is expensive but has good warranty. Another alternative is the Interstate Megatron Plus 85 (MTP-34) which is less pricey and has a decent warranty.

Be advised that cheap places, Walmart/Costco/etc, will look at the "book" and say they don't have a battery for the CRD and often refuse to fit a battery. Even Sears or Interstate may give you a small bit of grief but in the end will conceded and install a battery.

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

x2,looks like you know your crd,wich is a good thing,so you take good care of it.

Im going in the same direction,it probalby is the battery,here in canada,i couldnt get the sears platinum,you must be in the states,so you can get it,lots of great reviews on it.I got one from costco,the best one they had in the 34 group,wich i choose myself looking in the book(no need for arguing with the student technician),i paid 89.99$ 10 years warranty,with 4 years full replacement.If i remember right,it is a 1000amp,860cca,and so far,it started easy even at -25c,so i will see on the long run.

If you ever want the battery number to check it out just tell me and i will let you know.

But like others say,if you are in the states,i d go for the sears platinum.It also depends how much you want to pay,but dont forget its a diesel,so the best battery will give you the power you need.Even my costco,at 89.99$,if it works 4 years,i will be more than happy.As long as my jeep starts hahaha :mrgreen:

SFOCRD · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:40 am **Posts:** 12

Just bought a Sears Platinum!

Heading up to the mountains tonight - i'll see if it starts w/o the block heater.

Thank everyone - for all the help!

bbo · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:17 pm **Posts:** 382

SFOCRD wrote:

Just bought a Sears Platinum!

Heading up to the mountains tonight - i'll see if it starts w/o the block heater.

Thank everyone - for all the help!

not to push any batteries, but I think any 6 year old battery has to be near the end. you should be good to go imho.

SFOCRD · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:40 am **Posts:** 12

Started like a champ @ ten degrees! Problem solved. Thanks to all for letting me know i had a problem and how to fix it.

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Great,im really happy for you,fixed without spending to much money,always nice!

Loving my CRD - mostly

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