I live in San Antonio, TX so it is never real cold here in winter. I recently noticed that the temp gauge was registering just over the 1/4 after driving about 10 minutes and never went any higher. Having read the posts here I have concluded that the thermostat needs replacing. Because of lack of time and money at present, I need to wait. So I have pulled the fuse for the viscous heater, so it will not run continually until I can get the thermostat replaced. I do not drive the Libby every day. Will driving the Libby this way for a few weeks hurt the engine?

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2005 Midnight Blue CRD Sport, 89,000 miles
ORM, EHM...more to come.

No... It will not hurt anything. The Viscosus heater is not needed and the thermo being low will only knock down the fuel MPG a small amount.

The thermostat in the CRD are a problem, I suggest adding a in line Stant 195 degree.
there are several post showing how to install for as little at $15.
See below post.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64333

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05 Liberty CRD Sport with Leather 115k
GDE ECO, No EGR, no FCV, (system gone)
Oil Drain plug P/N 090-039
K&N Air Filter, 2nd gen Fuel filter head
NEW Rockers & lifters
Mobil 1 0w-40
Stant 13519 195 deg inline Thermostat.
0 281 002 845 MAP
Etecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs
Advance Gold 800CCA Battery
Traded it for a Quality VW TDI

Thanks kjjet. I have been considering that.

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2005 Midnight Blue CRD Sport, 89,000 miles
ORM, EHM...more to come.

Yep your tstat is toast; given your current low overnight temps it should get the normal near vertical position in 10 minutes (if it's lots colder sometimes it takes longer). No driving that way won't hurt your vehicle any but it will cost ca. 10% off mpg and disconnecting the viscous relay is a good step. FYI on days when the ambient temp gets to the mid 70sF running the AC, in my experience, will push the coolant temp up toward normal and I see you have some days like that in the 10 day forecast.

You can try the inline tstat trick which is cheap but I'm not a big fan although with the skirt hole it's probably ok unless you tow. Better to go OEM. If you do be sure not to mix up the 4 bolts involved; be careful scraping off the old gasket as the mounting surface is aluminum; I found a 1/4" drive 6" wobble extension with the appropriate 1/4" drive socket made getting the invisible lower rear bolt off/on much easier; and don't forget the temp sending unit on the back of the tstat.

ID Parts has a decent price on an OEM style Crown brand tstat with gasket ca. $90 + shipping which should be fine if you don't want to spring for a Mopar one.

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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

Or $112.37 shipped for the oem thermostat and gasket from parts.com. IMO, not worth to get the crown for just few bucks more.

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Thank you all. I think I am going to go OEM. I like the idea of using a 1/4 socket and extension with a wobble joint. I plan to take a piece of cardboard and put 4 holes in to place the bolts so I won't get them out of place.

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2005 Midnight Blue CRD Sport, 89,000 miles
ORM, EHM...more to come.

I can get the OE Mopar (Behr made) ones for under $85 last time I checked. I would avoid anything from Crown, but that is just me.

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Mike Rausch
Bear, Delaware
2006 Liberty Sport CRD 253K