Buy it or keep looking?

Professor Plum · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 3:21 pm

I'm looking for a CRD to be my daily driver. The information available on this forum is amazing, thanks to all that are sharing their knowledge and experiences. Found similar help online when I got my 97 Ford F-350 Powerstroke a few years ago, saved me lots of $$$ and headaches, and gave me lots of ideas for fun Saturday projects.

Saw a 2005 CRD at a Jeep dealer, 50K miles, haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but at first glance, looks to be in good shape. When I called about it, the salesman said "It's in the shop right now, it was running kinda rough, so the guys are replacing the fuel filter and separator." Based on what I've read here, I made sure it was the filter head, not just the filter, and he confirmed that it was the whole deal.

I appreciate the salesman's honesty, but I'm a little gun-shy on this deal now. Would you be reasonably confident that the new filter head will cure the problem, or should I keep looking?

Radman · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 4:19 pm

Common problem and simple fix. The mileage is VERY reasonable for the year. Depending on price and if they are offering some kind of warrantee me be worth a test drive at the very least.

bugnout · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 4:21 pm

Does it come with any kind of warranty? If not, get them to warrant at least the fuel system. Fuel issues are hard to hide for long, You'll know within a week or so if its holding prime, starting easily or not.

There are other possibilities, sensors, injectors, pump, air leaks in the hardlines that go to the tank, but fuel head is a known weak point.

Professor Plum · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 4:42 pm

According to CARFAX, it wasn't sold new until June 2006, so it should have quite a bit of the factory 7/70. Assume the fuel system would be covered. Correct?

I'll have the dealer confirm the in service date. Thanks!

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 5:09 pm

That is very reaonable milage and I would not worry about the Fuel seprator issue, if they replace it you should be fine. Those are an issue at least the first version was. the heater in them often melted some at the plug and allowed an air leak. if they replace it and the problem is resloved one less thing to worry about for you.

2005's had 7/70 2006's had only 3/36 for that year, I am not sure but I think that the 7/70 only can be transfired to the second owner but I could be worng about that and I think there is a small fee to do that. For a full year and 20,000 miles it should be worth it.

I would go back and drive it when you can.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 5:31 pm

I can confirm the 2005 7/70 can be transferred to the 2nd owner having done so. When I did it the fee was $100. With respect to the fuel filter head just because it was replaced by the dealer I'm not sure I'd assume that they replaced it with the 2nd generation fuel filter head although that's likely the case. It's easy enough to check. On the original head design the fuel heater plug on the right, when viewed from the front, is about 1/2 the size of the other plug and is the same color. On the 2nd gen head the 2 plugs are about the same size and on the 2 examples I've seen the new heater plug has a bright blue cover and you should easily be able to feel where they spliced in the new heater element pigtail by following the wire down inside the wire cover.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 5:33 pm

Blue heater plug and spliced in pig tail is what mine has also and I know it was replaced by the original dealer.

Professor Plum · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 6:25 pm

Thanks a bunch guys. I'll let you know how it goes.

flman · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 7:31 am

I would not worry about the fuel assy if they are fixing it. But once I heard running kinda rough, my first thought was EGR?

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 7:51 am

If your scared off by a fuel filter I don't think a 5 or 6 year old CRD is a vehicle for you, they are not a vehicle for those with a weak heart :mrgreen:

You never know what situation you'll be faced with next :JEEPIN:

The CRD in the US is a one of a kind, reasonably priced, small/mid sized, diesel powered, able to tow 5000#, gets good fuel mileage SUV that was a 2 year "Marketing test" by Chrysler :BINGO:

14,000 were originally sold in North America and many have "met their maker" so for those remaining there's not a lot of support.
That means amoung other things long waits for exotic parts from Italy and inexperienced mechanics. Then there's all the simple things in a CRD are different then on gassers.
LOST is the keeping CRD's alive in the US. Not many CRD problems have not been identified and solved by the many LOST souls :ALONE:

dkenny · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 5:07 pm

yall are giving him all the downsides..

when it runs..it sweet..pedal to the metal..it'll squeal the tires..how many gassers in SUV with a tiny 2.8 will do that??

when it don't run..come back..I'm sure someone else here has been through it.

ditto on the EGR and MAP..have them check them..clean or replace the map.

-dkenny

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sat May 14, 2011 8:05 pm

Easiest way to find a dependable CRD is to check the classifieds section on this forum. The owners who are members here know how to take care of their stuff.

flman · **Posted:** Sun May 15, 2011 7:57 am

Professor Plum, being you are already a diesel fanatic just go with your gut and grab it just as long as it is running smooth again, these engines have proven well, except for a few of them, and you still have the warranty to fall back on. Keep in mind this is a rare vehicle, and every day there will be less opportunity to score one.

Buy it or keep looking?

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