I've been lurking for a few weeks gaining knowledge. Was set to buy a CRD locally but 'slept on it' too long and by the time I went back to the dealer it had been sold. Just happened to see it 30 minutes later pulling into the Walmart parking lot. Of course I pulled over to 'chat' with the smug jerk that STOLE my jeep. Anyhow, the judge set my bail low, so Im out and still looking...



Getting to the point, there's another CRD for sale at a Jeep dealer about 2 hours away. 110k miles. Carfax shows a history of oil changes every 5k miles, and a number of other items done at the dealer, but no timing belt change. Are their any tell tale signs of a timing belt change? Looks from the photos like they did a good job cleaning the engine bay, so Im unsure if simply looking for disturbed dirt around the area will be doable. We'll see I guess.

If it hasn't been changed, would it be reasonable to ask the dealer to do it before the sale? Price is already pretty reasonable at $8k. What say y'all?

EDIT:

Also, gave them a call today. They said it's in the shop at the moment due to someone putting in gas...

If it has been dealer serviced then the DCJ system should also show what was done. Absent proof positive (ex. a DCJ or other shop bill for the service with the VIN number on the bill) I'd assume the TB job has not been done. The only other way I can think of to be "maybe" be sure that the job has been done is to dig all the way into the the job until you can see the TB and it has brand new markings you might could assume the job's been done. But heck by that time you might as well just check the pulley bearings and throw on a for sure new belt and be done with it.

IMHO though your safest bet is to figure that the belt has not been changed (probably why it's for sale at that mileage) and you need to get the job done or DIY. You might could talk the dealer into doing it at a discount as part of the sale but I'd be reluctant to depend on them doing a good job unless they have done some already. It's not a hard job just tedious and not really that expensive in parts.

Alternatively; where are you located as there are members scattered all over the US with tools and experience?

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

Tell them you'll only buy it if they provide documentation to prove that the timing belt has been replaced and also provide warranty on the injectors and pump now that they've been compromised by having gas through them . At about $5K to replace these parts you don't want to be taking any chances.

I'd suspect that at 110K the previous owner traded it before completing the required 100K maintenance since there's no way he'd get that money back on the trade.

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One misfueling of the engine shouldn't be enough to actually damage the pump or the injectors - The engine wouldn't run long enough to get any real heat or wear happening in either, gasoline doesn't ignite real well in a diesel.

They need to drop and drain the tank, then purge the lines and the filter (just put a new filter on) with fresh diesel... Then crank it up for a bit. It will take probably on the order of 30-45 seconds of cranking (NOT ALL AT ONCE!) before it sputters to life, but within the first few turns of cranking, it will have swapped the gas in the pump for diesel. A little bit of gas in a full tank of diesel won't hurt anything (You probably get as much as 5% gas / crap / water from a normal station anyway) but I would run a FULL BOTTLE of Powerservice Silver Bottle in that first tank just to be sure.

Once it sputters to life, leave it alone to idle for at least 10-15 minutes to ensure that everything has washed through the injectors and the high pressure line.

Make the dealer suffer for their stupidity, but DO NOT LET THEM WORK ON THE ENGINE if you can avoid it. They WILL screw something up. I agree with the others above - 75% chance that belt has NOT been done, and you can't tell without tearing down to that point anyway. Good news for you - PapaIndigo is only a couple hours away from you, and you should be good to make that drive to him, if he feels confident to do the belt for you. I'm a couple hours further away, if you want to try and drive up here, or cover my time / fuel and I will come down to you and do it there. PM me and we can talk numbers, but I'm very fair. Papaindigo assisted me on a timing job, but I have all the tools (including a BFW to deal with that fan clutch which is problem #1 on that job)

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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.

I can testify to geordi's ability and fairness for work I've helped him with (TB, fan shroud, glow plugs) and work he has done for me (turbo and gauges). If you want to come here I have the same Miller tools and a different but just as effective fan removal tool. The belt, pulleys, tensioner are no big deal and would take about 1/2 day. The water pump is a bit more of a deal that I don't have experience with but I do have the cam locking tool and Sir Sam's new method cuts the time way down.

I also have all the parts (OEM except the belt is Gates) which are not for sale but can be used to do a job if need be so long as they are replaced with the same stuff.

Only down side is my wife and I are off to the UK, with parts for lancer, from mid-Aug to early September and while stoutdog will be here he has not helped or even seen the job but I suppose we could do a borrow tools under his watchful eyes if you wanted to do the job yourself in which case driveway space can be made available.

PM/email if interested.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

If they can't prove it has been changed you could just try to get the dealer to supply the parts and do it your self.

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-05 Dark Khaki Limited CRD. GDE ECO tune. In-tank lift pump, Transgo doo doo kit, B&M trans cooler, replaced trans solenoid pack and filters, Newer Michelin tires, Timing belt with all related parts replaced at 110,000miles.

Timing belt change is NOT optional. If you can't prove it was done, best you do it. "Evidence" is worthless, you need proof. Do not assume it must have been done. You would not like the consequences of a belt breaking in service.

Thanks for the replies folks! Seem like a close knit community of owners around here willing to help each other. Looking forward to hopefully joining soon!