What to look for in a preowned CRD

grokglock · **Joined:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:32 am **Posts:** 6

Hello I am a potential CRD owner, I am in the market for a new 4x4 and my first choice was the Xterra until I read about the CRD Liberty. My brother owns one a gas Liberty and has had good luck with it, the only thing I think it needs is a bit more low end grunt which the CRD has by the boat load.

In my research I have found some things that have concerned me though about the CRD. They seem to have issues with EGTs, EGR system, MAP sensors, and on youtube at least one guy is on a rampage bashing the CRD due to a faulty design where the transmission vents fluid onto the exhaust causing a fire hazard (he claims his CRD caught fire twice)

I am a pretty adept hands on guy with good knowledge of gas engines and have always worked on my cars but I would rather not buy something that is considered unreliable and have to wrench on it every week.

That being said I don't mind doing preventative maintenance and I enjoy modding my cars though I would most likely leave this vehicle stock for reliability as it already has enough power for me.

I would just like some honest feedback about the CRD's reliability from real owners experiences. Are there things that commonly go bad and should be looked for in a preowned CRD?

I have read the Noob guide which I found very informative and all the procedures on there are within my ability so if that guide addresses most of the common major problems I think the CRD might be a front runner in truck search.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:24 am

Give this thread a read if you haven't already.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=75890

grokglock · **Joined:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:32 am **Posts:** 6

Yes I actually had already read that thread but was hoping there was at least some counterpoints to all the negative feedback. It seems like such a good combination but with so many issues, most seem to be electronic sensors and the torque converter thing.

I guess it's probably not a good 20k mile a year daily driver as my only car. Which is a shames because I really like diesels.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:30 am

Counter point at least to an extent.
1. keep in mind that many of those that post on a vehicle forum are seeking solutions to problems, seeking to avoid known problems (mostly true for me), or folks who like to "improve" their ride. As such you are not necessarily getting a completely accurate picture of the vehicle.
2. Many of the components on the KJ CRD are identical to the KJ gasser and to the extent there are issues (window regulators, rear parking brake and salt, and salt impact on lower rear control arms) those are not CRD issues. In addition normal wear items such as batteries (issues with later gens of the Optima Red Top are not DCJ issues and plenty of other batteries are out there), bearings, brakes, filters, fluids (this is a bit odd but lots of mechanics like to use "universal" fluids and that can cause problems so stick with OEM recommended antifreeze, tranny fluid and such), etc are largely no different from any other vehicle.
3. CRD specific issues and solutions:
a. tendency for 1s gen fuel filter head to leak at heater electric connection - fix get 2n gen head for ca. $125
b. boost/CAC hose(s) go bad - one can argue this is a design issue but hoses do go bad - fix when you have a bad hose replace with Samcos ca. $250 or just do it proactively like I did.
c. air box to turbo hose can crack on bottom - fix check at each oil change replace as needed ca. $60 to do one of several mods to reduce/remove oil from going from the CCV to that location
d. soot clogs intake and may cause premature rocker wear - fix see c or get GDE tune $500 and worth every penny for engine life and improved fuel economy, other options exist (SEGR, EHM combined with unplugging MAF sensor but throws a CEL)
e. probably the worst problem is the lack of an adequate service network followed by some issues getting parts (folks like idParts have helped a lot with the latter). The former is common for any relatively uncommon vehicle and the only real solution is to find a good local mechanic if possible or learn to do it yourself.
f. timing belt needs replacement at 100k mile or IMHO ca. 6-8 years regardless of mileage, can be a DIY project especially if there is local or semi-local LOST CRD member assistance
g. mechanical fan clutch - fix Hayden 2905 ca. $50

I'm sure I've missed some stuff but you get the idea. My son's 06 has done the Tally>Tempe AZ run and back (with trailer on the way back) and Tally>New Hampshire run and back with zero problems. Best advice I can give, other than the above, is don't hot rod the vehicle past it's limits (stick to GDE tunes if you want more power) and don't believe all the hype about extended oil change intervals stick with ca. 6K miles.

grokglock · **Joined:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:32 am **Posts:** 6

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. These little trucks seem to have a very small following but a VERY passionate one at that so there must be some redeeming qualities about them.

I have owned diesels before and know for a fact they outlive gas engines almost every time, if most of the aforementioned issues are electronic/sensor related and can be prevented with proper maintenance then that does give me a better outlook.

Your reply definitely gives me an honest perspective as to what to expect - Thanks

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 1:04 pm

Knock on wood, i havent had a single issue with my crd either, other than regular maintenance. I got mine at little under 80k in 2010 and I followed noob guide tips. Now I'm at 125ish k and still good. I have the gde eco tune and for my peace of mind I had rocker arm replaced (the sound of the engine did improve a little to be honest, so I'd guess the rockers were a little tired, but didn't seem to be on the verge of breaking or getting stuck), things you can do on your own for less than $400 (id parts), if you have some basic tools. There are plenty walkthrougs in the crd tech section and this little community of crd owners is the best I've seen, it surpasses any experienced mechanic, honestly. I also drive the jeep as a diesel truck and not as a hot rod, don't race anybody even though I can probably smoke many regular cars, I'm well past the age to do that. If you want to make a hotrod from it, or tow regularly, make sure you replace the head studs with arp, LMW has a thread about this.

I also have a 99 cherokee, and to give you a comparison, liberty's quality is way better than cherokee's, other than having 6 years less. But in my opinion, jeep is more picky than a chevy or a ford. I'll probably keep them for quite a while, those are both vehicles I invested too much money and passion to trade them in for something else. So, as long as you're comfortable with the idea of constantly doing this and that (minor things/annoyances, normally not something major, again, knock on wood) stick with a jeep, I dont know another car that can bring me so much fun (especially the cherokee, thats my 50 smiles a gallon baby). Buying a used one is always a matter of luck to some point, you can't know how the previous owner treated it and you can't see every little detail either.

And yes, papa pretty much summarized all common crd problems, I'd only add the premature rocker wear, even though there are many people that dont have issues, my guess is that the mobil 1 oil 0w40 recommended by chrysler is not good for the amount of egr soot for us markets (use a diesel oil like mobil 1 5w40 for light truck, or rotella t6 for example), I'd recommend either get a crd with a gde eco tune from early miles, either replace your rockers and get a gde tune (this reduces the egr soot and almost disables the egr, plus gives plenty extra torque and some better mileage), this more for your peace of mind. I am sure this engine can see 3-400k if properly maintained and treated as a diesel and not a hotrod.

tech57 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 3:04 pm

grokglock, I was in your shoes last November, found my CRD on eBay, and haven't looked back. Prior to purchase I read and reread the NOOB Guide thread.
When I got it home I changed ALL fluids and filters. Replaced the intercooler hoses with silicone type, and replaced the 1st gen fuel filter assembly with the factory upgrade. These are the type of maintenance items I would do to any used vehicle I purchase.
The boost sensor was new, and within a couple of weeks I ordered the GDE ECO Tune.

I use my CRD for work, and to this point find it reliable as any used vehicle I've purchased.
I predict it will be driven 20,000 to 24,000 miles this year and look forward to owning it for quite a while.

Good luck in the search for yours!

grokglock · **Joined:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:32 am **Posts:** 6

I feel better about this decision knowing there is great support on this site as well as some success stories about these little VM motori motors. That timing belt can't be any harder to change than a gas engine and if that's the worst problem mechanically with most of these little guys I dont figure it to be all that bad at all - for 300ft/lbs I think I can live with it.

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:00 pm

grokglock wrote:

I feel better about this decision knowing there is great support on this site as well as some success stories about these little VM motori motors. That timing belt can't be any harder to change than a gas engine and if that's the worst problem mechanically with most of these little guys I dont figure it to be all that bad at all - for 300ft/lbs I think I can live with it.

If you've done a tb job, its really easy for the crd. Just buy/make the locking pins (ebay has sealey brand from uk) and everything else is piece of cake. You can do it w/o locking pins, but if you plan to keep the crd, they will be useful, especially for water pump/rocker replacement

dirtmover · **Posted:** Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:39 am

grokglock wrote:

....I would rather not buy something that is considered unreliable and have to wrench on it every week...

...I would most likely leave this vehicle stock for reliability...

...I would just like some honest feedback about the CRD's reliability from real owners experiences...

Enough said, this is not the vehicle for you. Now, if you have a daily driver and you're looking for a hobby vehicle it may not be a bad choice.

What to look for in a preowned CRD

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