Hello everyone,

New to the forum. Sold my 97 TJ a few months ago and now looking into buying a Liberty. More car seat friendly. So I had to say goodbye to my Wrangler forum and here I am.

Found a 05 Liberty with a CRD in it for a really good deal. They are asking 4,000. Great condition,....but (knew there was going to be a "but" didn't you) having some engine trouble. They said they stopped at a stop sign and it started running rough and making a noise from the top of the engine. It still runs, but badly. Never had the timing belt break on them, and has 200,000 miles on it.

I have priced out the engines and parts so that won't be a surprise for me. Or it won't be in the future. 250 for an OEM head gasket...yikes! I was an aircraft mechanic for 7 years and a shade tree mechanic for most of my life. I have only rebuilt one engine in my life and it was a 4 cylinder small plane engine. About as simple as they come.

With all that in mind,

1. Think I should jump on this?
2. Any ideas on what the problem may be? I was wondering if the timing belt may have slipped and may have a few bent rockers in there. I think I read that the rockers bend before the valves.
3. At 200,000 miles would you just repair it or is it time for a rebuild? Not sure on the life of these engines. One website I read said the expected life is 250K. That seemed low to me as I have gotten that out all but one of my gas automobiles. Keep in mind that I did maintain them as they should have been. Thought a diesel should go for longer.
4. If it is time for a rebuild, should I even attempt it myself? (with the help of the local machine shop of course) I have already read on here that there is probably some non-standard tooling I would be needing to buy/rent.

I would not buy unless you're prepared to replace the entire engine
you might do better - but I wouldn't bet money on it.


as to cost - Sir Sam tends to have a good handle on that - I'm guessing-
but I think you're probably 8K for a factory type replacement and 1/2 that for a used replacement.

_________________
2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Is the timing belt the original belt with 200,000 miles on it ? Im not an expert but it sounds like it may have slipped timing. Does it sound like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5v4mJb31sA

Jim

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Stock 06 CRD Limited
Timing belt replaced at 110,000 miles

Yeah, I think the belt is original. I asked him if the belt had been changed and his reply was, "These come with a timing chain, not a belt and it is good."

I don't think I am going to get it. If I did get it, would only have a budget of about 2500 to fix it up. Don't see that happening with all new rockers, belt, water pump, machine shop labor, gaskets...etc.

Thanks for all the great info on here guys and gals. Helped out a lot.

The simple fact that he thinks it has a chain...

RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN!!!!!!!!!

_________________
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.

X2. Squared and cubed.

Where is this guy, anyway?

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Grid power- the one true essential

2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
1983 Volvo D24T
1981 Volvo D24
Dodge Cummins TD
Case 580B
Mitsubishi MT180 diesel
Kubota BX25 diesel

Yea, what he said. We need to know where this seller is, so that ALL of us can avoid this person in the future.

Thinking about what you posted, if he thinks it has a chain, he (I'm 90% certain) would not have done ANYTHING with the engine, so he most likely will only need a rocker replacement along with the new belt, water pump (It lasted 200k? IMPRESSIVE) and other associated parts.

At the same time... If he thinks it has a chain and he is the original owner... What ELSE is he critically wrong about, like maybe the oil or transmission fluid and used the wrong stuff all these miles? (shudders) There is FAR too much that could be just waiting to blow up on an unsuspecting sucker to even THINK about touching this one.

Please tell us where this guy is located, so we can watch Craigslist and post warnings to anyone looking at this freakshow.

_________________
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.