Lots of great info on here still sifting thru it all, just a couple of questions kinda time sensitive. I'm 8 hrs from where the liberty is located, it's low miles one owner and a clean carfax. I'm sure I can get an extended warranty. I plan to use it for work, driving around 2000 miles a month. My concern is dependability versus something new with a factory warranty. I can't take a chance on getting stranded or down time in the shop because this will be my only mode of transportation to work 371 miles one way. Thanks in advance and love the wealth of knowledge on here.

JJ

Get the VIN and check on chrysler's website for recall info. Otherwise it is still a lookaround/feel kinda thing just like any vehicle/toy.

It's hard to say. It all depends on how it was maintained. I've owned mine since new, and I love it. That being said, I'm not sure I would pick up another one if I didn't know the history. I would buy a Subaru.

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2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

Funny you should say that, you're the second person today said buy a Subaru lol...

JJ

That can be applied to anything!, I'm asking specifically about the crd and dependability because it was a limited run vehicle. Not my first rodeo.

JJ

Yes, the Liberty CRD can be trusted to break down regularly for a variety of reasons.

You want a reliable diesel? Consider the Grand Cherokee CRD which has had significantly less maintenance issues than my Liberty CRD and is more refined.

I personally go out of my way to buy diesel powered anything including my CRD.

BUT if you want dependability the CRD is not a good prospect expecially since they are now all about 7 years old. The engine is fine but dealer techs hardly ever see them so service is a problem and parts availability is not good. It also seems the wrong oil was called for and soot build up is causing valve train wear as they age.
The 07 and 08 Grand Cherokee that has the MB V6 is a orphan caught in a squabble between MB and Fiat.
I've had very good luck with VW's diesels but they're currently having problems with high pressure fuel pumps getting trashed on the new ones so I can't recommend them.
There's supposed to be a GC with a VM 3.0L V6 coming out but I'm sure they will be in the high dollar trim levels just like the MB versions were.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/jeep ... ica-by-20/

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Th MB 3.0L engine is not an orphan, it is the current diesel engine in many MB vehicles but only difference it has all of that emissions crap.

As for a new Grand Cheroke with a 3.0L VM diesel.....VM Motori: NEVER AGAIN.

This has already been discussed a bit on the forums but the 3.0L VM looks to be much more popular than our 2.8L. The 3.0 VM is already rumored to go into a dodge ram in 2014, and Banks Engineering is already modifying them. The more the engine is used the cheaper parts will be and the easier it will be do get work done on them with a bonus of more aftermarket support.

If you read the article it states Chrysler and GM both own 50% of VM, and it makes a good point, the more applications this motor is used in, the cheaper it will be. The potential is there for this to be a success and hopefully they learned from the mistakes from the 2.8L.

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/1208dp_banks_vm_motori_630t_v6_diesel_engine/

I don't think the 2.8L is a bad engine, I think Jeep just rushed it out and used owners as test subjects for the first diesel of its type in the state. The did leave us high and dry it seems.

The biggest problems are the emissions that were added and the timing belt. Plenty of cars need a timing belt done at 100k. The problem isn't the timing belt, the problem is no support with a shortage mechanic/tech knowledge. This is compounded by the fact the special tools to do the job are hard to find and expensive due to low demand for them.

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2008 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
2.5 Teraflex Lift
35" MT/R's

Lifted CRD - SOLD

That is the biggest problem.Notice most vehicles that had a timing belt no longer do and many do take special tools to change so that is nothing new by anymeans.

Well after kicking around my options I believe the CRD is the best option for me, I've talked to my local dealer and they have a tech that is well versed in the CRD, and I have a forum member not to far from me that has made contact with me and is willing to do some CRD 101 with me when I get back so as long as my schedule frees up so I can go do the deal. I should be an owner by the end of the week.

JJ

JJ - Talk to me before you EVER talk to that dealer. I want to know what dealer close by told you they had a CRD versed tech, I know it's not Gary Matthews, they're the (CENSORED) that fried my ECU twice and told me my FCV problem was an EGR problem and wanted $1500 to change my glow plugs when I did it myself for $250.

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Silver 2006 KJ 2.8L CRD Limited:
GDE ECO Tune / Fumoto Valve / E-Tecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs / 2nd Gen Fuel Head / Mishimoto RED Hoses / Rockers/Lifters @ 114k / Hayden FC + 11 Blade Nylon / Sears P1 Battery / Transgo 45RFE-HD2 Reprogramming Kit / Timken Front Bearings

Oh no I wouldn't take my bicycle to Gary Matthews, gupton motors both in Springfield and Russellville ky. I've taken my ram there since day one and they also do fleet vehicles. Had a long talk with them about the Libby.

JJ

Just another helpful tip, you can't do most of the work yourself or don't have a CRD guru who charges reasonable rates, you'll end up owning a costly vehicle.

I had a long talk with the Jeep dealer in Manassas, VA on a TB. That lie cost me $19,500 and 10 months.

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No longer a CRD or Jeep owner. Selling everything I have, needs to go as I need the room for a project.

You should elaborate/extrapolate (I just like big words) on this experience in another post!

If you have already, please forgive me, but please PM me the link.

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Silver 2006 KJ 2.8L CRD Limited:
GDE ECO Tune / Fumoto Valve / E-Tecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs / 2nd Gen Fuel Head / Mishimoto RED Hoses / Rockers/Lifters @ 114k / Hayden FC + 11 Blade Nylon / Sears P1 Battery / Transgo 45RFE-HD2 Reprogramming Kit / Timken Front Bearings

Short story: The dealer (as all will, when selling a vehicle is on the line) smiled and nodded and told him that they knew all about the CRD motor and that they had a plethora of super trained techs that know all about the CRD....

Not a word of it was true. I got handed the same line by a dealer that told me they knew all about the transmission and transfer case... And didn't diagnose the problem I had (failed transfer case) in anything close to proper or correct.

In Jinstall's case, their "trained and knowledgeable" techs SO screwed up the timing belt job(IIRC)... That they ended up having to completely replace the motor, and somehow managed to make it on his dime. I wouldn't have left the vehicle with them.

My own experiences are well documented here: Turbo failure leading to low oil pressure, starving the #1 cylinder bearings - rod bottom failure, piston breakup and oil pan punched out from the inside. $8000 job to replace motor with used motor.
At 130k miles, engine developed rattle - sounded like injector noise or lifter / rocker problem... Wasn't. Cylinder #4 rod bottom crashed through block wall... AT IDLE and without ever running low on oil or oil pressure. No obvious reason for the failure, but I again suspect rod bearing failure, leading to the rod cap somehow dislodging.

My advice, especially with the long commute you are asking about? RUN AWAY and find a 2002-2003 VW Jetta TDI for the most reliable engine option, or a 2004-2005 (maybe 06) Jetta TDI for a more reliable transmission and slightly less reliable engine with a list of concrete problems to fix. Once that list of flaws is taken care of, it will be a solid vehicle. Stay away from the newest models, they are having issues with high pressure fuel pump failures at VERY low miles for unknown reasons.

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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.

Any vehicle can have issues. Most people come here because they have a problem, not just because they like it.

I love mine, even with issues. Then again I can do a lot of work myself and I have a diesel mechanic willing to fix anything.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

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2006 Sport, GDE FT Eco Tune, Custom Trans Tune
2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn EcoDiesel, GDE Hot Tune

Good points, the tdi Jedi was at the top of my list, however I need either awd or 4wd for WV winters. That requirement alone narrowed the field to either a Subaru, Nissan juke or CRD Libby...

JJ

I've had 12 years experience turning wrenches, from simple combustion engines to turbine aircraft engines...from borescoping to stator vane replacement, other than the occasional special tool I may not have I think I can manage, if not I can tell when a stealer is blowing smoke or actually taking an interest in the problem...
If I read that wrong I apologize there may have been a missing if???
JJ