Noob ... Do I really want one?

bikeman911 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:11 am **Posts:** 6

So I thought I had decided that I want a CRD, but after reading about blown engines, turbos, trannys and such, I think I am changing my mind. I would be ditching a Jetta TDI for this as I no longer need the 50+ mpg. I have had a love / hate relationship with the TDI on tranny 3 (manual swap) and just can't afford another love / hate relationship with a vehicle.

I have read the noob guide.

comments welcome!
Rick

Pararig · **Joined:** Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:40 pm **Posts:** 65

The CRD has it's issues just like any other car or truck, most of the problems that you read are from people not taking care of what they have

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Hexus · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:38 am

Get what you want to get, what makes you happy, and don't let anyone else talk you into/out of it.

If you want one, get one, it has it's idiosyncrasies like anything else but they're fun to drive, and one of a kind.

Just keep in mind they're 8-9 years old now, and going to have some of the same issues that any 8-9 model year old vehicle has, so prepare for that.

If you want something that gets 40+ mpg, this isn't it, but there's a reason this board says "...Love that Torque!!!"

bikeman911 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:11 am **Posts:** 6

Understand the age and mileage. Anything I'd be looking to get would be the same age. The high twenties is the mileage I'm aiming for. My Jetta is an 02 and has 260k. Right now 4wd is more important than mileage, so it either this or a Rav4 or CRV and they are not near as fun. The CRDs I'm looing at have between 88 and 120k. Assume not much difference between 05 and 06.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:27 pm

I feel you MUST have a need for the unique combination of characteristics of the KJ CRD (ability to tow 5000 lbs and get 20 mpg doing it, OK daily driver that gets 30 mpg doing that, 4WD). YOU must be VERY mechanically inclined and VERY resourceful and ENJOY doing that. Also, you must follow the collective wisdom here to minimize expensive moves.

06s often have wiring harness shorts that cost a fortune to track down if you cannot do it yourself. Also, those shorts have caused people to replace numerous expensive components that were erroneously thought to be the problem.

I would stay away from one that has had the rockers replaced after piston/valve contact. Do the quick headgasket leak test. If the bottle has pressure, knock at least $2500 off the price or walk away.

Good luck!

DOC

flman · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:27 pm

Sure, get one, I have 2, you do not hear my crying that I want to surrender and give up.

We have a great source for parts at idparts.com

I just get better at fixing them. :mrgreen:

The only thing I know of that will replace a Liberty CRD is a Liberty CRD, and I owned a couple VW TDIs, great cars, I would buy another tomorrow, but the Libby CRD has so much more going for it.

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:29 pm

If you don't consider yourself a rockstar mechanic... I wouldn't suggest this vehicle. The second post is funny, plenty of people (myself included) have had internal engine failures that have no direct cause that can be pointed at. Why would the piston rods on any engine just fail out, especially at stock power?

I currently have an 03 TDI that is at 290k or so miles, and that is also on the original 01M transmission. Yes, I am on the TDI club, and the same username. The TDIs of the ALH generation do have their own 'idiosyncrasies' just like most other vehicles. Some suck more than others... I'm in the process of fixing the blend door issue right now, and wanting to KILL the moron German that designed that system. HOWEVER... The CRD isn't just "any other vehicle" like that.

It is also a Chrysler.

Jeep vehicles in general are expensive and continual to keep them running. Goes with the territory of being a Jeep, they tend to have a lot thrown at them and sometimes stuff breaks. That is OK, IF they are accepted as such. Unfortunately, then you add in the complexity of computers that are speaking 3 different protocols on the same wires, bodged together by some programmers who must have been fluent in spit-and-bailing-wire techniques. You can't use normal scanners for long periods on this vehicle, or it WILL throw the transmission out of gear at highway speed. That hurts when it happens.

Next, is the complete and utter lack of knowledge by ANYONE in the Chrysler food chain OR by 99% of mechanics out there, about this engine. You will be on your own for doing the actual service - This forum will be happy to help and can certainly provide the knowledge... But if you haven't ever seen what a rocker job looks like or a head gasket job... This is not the vehicle for you.

Doing the timing belt on the TDI is not too different than the timing belt on the CRD - Actually, the CRD might be easier because you don't need to have an ENGINE LIFT around! But, the same level of precision is required and there are just as many places to screw it up and then need to disassemble lots of the engine.

As far as "needing" 4WD versus not needing 50mpg... Why wouldn't you want 50mpg anymore? You strike oil in your back yard? (can I have some?)
There are schools of thought in both vehicles. Only you can make the decision about this, but between the CRD and anything VW... I will leave you with one last thought:

There have been less than 15,000-18,000 of the CRD ever sold in the USA. Because of accidents and mechanical screwups, something less than that number exist today. How many VWs have been sold with a diesel engine since the year 1999 when they really made a resurgence? Obviously the number is many many more.

kjjet · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:39 pm

Being a mechanic for more than 30 years. I have had to do more work on this Jeep than any other I have ever had. Just not a quality SUV. I do like it, but it's a lot of time work and money. If you have all of those?

That's my :2cents:

KJJET

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

I'd avoid one. If you want a diesel 4x4, get a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 3.0L engine or a low mileage 2007-2008 Grand Cherokee CRD.

The KJ CRD is a great little vehicle but you need knowledge, time, money, and a second vehicle to make up for its (un)reliability.

bikeman911 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:11 am **Posts:** 6

It's not that I don't like 50mpg, I don't have a 100 mile per day commute any more. I do have a driveway that is impossible to get up in bad weather.

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:37 pm

Fixing your driveway would be cheaper. Trust me on this.

I paid 15k for my CRD... And spent another 14k on repairs. When engine #2 failed and I was looking at ANOTHER $8000 in repairs, and that would be doing the work myself... No. That was enough.

You could line your driveway with steel subway grid for traction, and anything would be able to claw its way up it. That would be considerably cheaper than replacing any major component of the CRD. Trust KJJet on this, he isn't wrong: It just is not a quality vehicle for a daily driver.

I might consider one again (and I'm shocked I'm even saying this) but ONLY because I have another vehicle to use on a daily basis. The CRD would just be a toy or hobby vehicle - because I would have to be prepared to not use it for months on end.

Given that scenario... I'd rather get an old Jeep CJ wreck and rebuild it, or a Willys Jeep. Something that would be a toy and not a daily vehicle in anyone's mind.

camo · **Posted:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:54 pm

In my opinion you should go with what you want/like. However, to jump in this boat you need to at least be mechanically inclined and be a decent reader of informational texts. I only have one CRD now but I used to have two, and for the dismay of some in this forum the problems I've had are not beyond what you would expect from a low budget SUV of this age. I'm religious with maintenance though, and that is probably the key here; to what extend do you keep track of maintenance in you vehicles?
If you have a positive answer to that I'd say jump in and have fun :JEEPIN:

bikeman911 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:11 am **Posts:** 6

So the 3.0 CRDs are reliable?

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

All the problems people speak of...take them with a grain of salt. In my circle of friends, we own three, and none of them have issues beyond what you would expect for an almost 10 y/o vehicle. One is even a fully-prepped overlanding vehicle that goes on regular on/off road trips over distances of 1,000 miles or more.

Disable the EGR immediately until you get an EcoTune, do the timing belt/water pump, change all your fluids, do regular oil changes, and don't beat the doo doo out of it. You'll be fine, assuming the previous owner did the same.

I do agree with others who have stated... Can you work on your own vehicles? You'll need to with this one.

Most of us knew what we were getting into with these things. Those who didn't tend to be the ones who complain.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 27, 2014 7:42 pm

Mine is a daily driver and was dead nuts reliable. Only reason its in for repairs now is because I was lied to from the used car dealer about what services were done to it. Remember this, many more people are apt to come online to witch about a vehicle, than those that get on to praise it. EVERY vehicle has something wrong with it, lb7 duramaxs have injector probs, dodge rams couldnt keep transmissions and ball joints alive, fords 6.0 diesel blew egr coolers. The reason this forum like any other exists, is to help others fix problems, not to praise it. So don't think that because all you read about is problems that that is what your going to get. I don't see 15,000 people on here bashing it....

CIMARRON13 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:15 pm

Drewd wrote:

I'd avoid one. If you want a diesel 4x4, get a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 3.0L engine or a low mileage 2007-2008 Grand Cherokee CRD.

The KJ CRD is a great little vehicle but you need knowledge, time, money, and a second vehicle to make up for its (un)reliability.

I wouldn't trust those anymore than the Liberty. Maybe I'm just anti Chrysler at the moment?
Like others have said if you don't work on your own vehicles I would stay away. I would much rather work on my Intentional 7.3 than the VM. Once my diesel conversion is done on the Land Cruiser the CRD will be sold or shelved for one of our boys when he turns 16.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

The 3.0L in the 2007-08 Grand Cherokees are Mercedes Benz engines and are very reliable. I happen to one also and am considering another 07 to replace my Liberty CRD.

kjjet · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:53 pm

Drewd wrote:

The 3.0L in the 2007-08 Grand Cherokees are Mercedes Benz engines and are very reliable. I happen to one also and am considering another 07 to replace my Liberty CRD.

Agree.. the 3.0 MB engine is much better than a VM. But Jeep is not a Quality SUV.

Greasey Bob · **Joined:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:34 am **Posts:** 228

I personally want less people to want one so that the price goes down to nothing and I can find another good one like the one I have. I live in South Florida the glow plug light only comes on one day out of the year. Of course changing timing belts twice as often would not be nice. I still want another one, it is just that I want it for really cheap and to run as good as mine has. Mine has 100k miles on Waste Veg oil and 72k on regular diesel. I makes lots of loud noises. But I just change the oil every 5k miles and tires every 40k miles. Coolant gets changed every few years also. New Battery every two years. Ball joints once and I will need another timing belt in less than 30k miles. And I still owe $4k on it. It is a great grease vehicle.

bigl0af · **Joined:** Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:37 pm **Posts:** 9

If you do get one and need repairs keep in mind that parts for the CRD are twice as expensive as anything else from what I've seen. Assuming you don't mind paying extra, you then have to worry about part availability. I just got my CRD from the Jeep dealership yesterday after having left it there for a month and a half waiting on Chrysler to come up with an exhaust cam. Again.... IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO FIND AN EXHAUST CAM! No one is going to have that oil filter in stock. That MAF sensor, it'll have to be ordered. That fuel filter will have to be hunted down. You will not get 90℅ of whatever part you need from Napa or Autozone like you're used to doing with anything else. Personally had I known all this before buying it I'd have passed. That being said, I do love the little truck though lol.

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