156K miles
fuel filter replaced 35K miles ago
no other known problems

It's happened 2 times, both in near-identical circumstances, about a month apart, most recent - yesterday: The little Liberty runs around fine during the day (hot, 95+ temp). It's garaged, when I go to start it in the morning (cool, 70 deg), it will start fine, as it always does - runs about 5 seconds and then dies and won't restart. Starter spins it fine, but won't hit or start - as if there's no fuel

The first time, it restarted with a small shot of ether (while my son was cranking it - I know enough not to shoot ether into a stopped engine). No further problems until yesterday: Same problem repeats, only this time, ether won't get it going. Today I have the brilliant idea to pump up the primer on the fuel filter - first dozen pumps nothing, then I can feel the pressure start to build. When it feels pretty solid, I hit the starter and it spins for about 3 seconds, then takes off and runs.

I should mention that I've noticed that now it normally takes about 1 - 2 seconds to start, whereas a few months ago I recall that it was a near-instantaneous start as soon as I turned the key. Is this a pertinent symptom?

So I'm thinking:
1. bad fuel filter?
2. is there a secondary fuel pump that pushes fuel from the tank to the filter that's going bad?
3. a check valve on the fuel filter?
4. fuel tank not properly vented - when it cools overnight it sucks fuel away from the fuel pump/filter?

Local Jeep dealer wants $129 for a fuel filter + $17 for a new "pigtail", I don't understand fuel filter and pigtail in the same sentence. I can tell you that the dealer is no help with correctly diagnosing the problem - the first time they wanted to charge me gazillions of $$ to start replacing fuel injectors????
O'Reilly has a WIX 33647 fuel filter for $30, but I don't know if that's really the problem or not.

Help out a fellow Jeeper here - I'm willing to be schooled by your extensive and vast experience. I doubt I'm the first to ever see this problem, so someone's got to have the definitive diagnosis and fix for this anomaly. I'm interested in conclusively identifying the root cause of the problem and correcting that, instead of band-aiding the symptoms.

Thanx,
PJ

Ha, see how responsive everyone is in the CRD section? Glad I recommended you move it to here

I think the advice I gave you earlier is where you should start... and I think that was your intention, so let us know how it progresses.

_________________
JW
'06 CRD - stock

It sounds like they are trying to say you need a new fuel filter head and the updated electrical connector. I'm not sure how much the filter heads run in price but that price they quoted would be an awful lot for just the filter itself (unless that was with the labor to install it). The first thing you need to do is figure out if you have the original fuel filter head or the 2nd generation fuel head. About a year and a half ago my CRD died shortly after starting and would not start again. It would crank but not fire up. They replaced the fuel filter head with the 2nd gen one and all was fine.

Jim

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Stock 06 CRD Limited
Timing belt replaced at 110,000 miles

The link below has part numbers for the new style fuel head and filter assembly. If you purchase through mopar online it should be less than $100. Dealers tend to mark everything up for their overhead and expert service

http://www.greendieselengineering.com/f ... st/76.page

You can also pull off the heater connector on the fuel head (closest to driver door on the fuel head) and look to see if the plastic connector is burnt. Also, press the fuel primer several times and see if fuel starts oozing out of the heater connector. If so, the new fuel head is a very good thing. GDE

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Providers of wholly developed aftermarket solutions for the KJ CRD.
(248) 977 - 9531

You were right on about pumping the prime pump. But after a few pumps, bleed the air out. But it sounds like you're sucking air.

We have no lift pump in our tank. Some of is have installed lift pumps in our tanks or just outside. I have an inline one and it works great.

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

tpfdchn - welcome, if you have not read Sir Sam's NOOB guide you need to do so. If you have 156K miles I sincerely hope your timing belt job has been done if not your vehicle needs to be parked immediately until the TB job has been done. As to your issue:
1. after 35K miles there is a good chance your fuel filter is clogged. It should be replaced at least at 25k intervals if not earlier if running biodiesel
2. No not unless a previous owner installed one.
3. No there is no check valve
4. Doubtful

Sounds like you have the classic KJ CRD air in the fuel line issue. Step 1 - look at your fuel filter head and see if it has a bright blue plug on the driver's (US side) side or if that plug is black/brown and significantly smaller than the other power plug (see Sir Sam's fuel head bleeding video toward the end). If you don't have the bright blue plug you but have the other one then you have the 1st gen fuel filter head and it likely needs to be replaced with a 2n gen head - part cost ca. $80 which includes a new filter and WIF sensor plus a ca $10 new wiring pigtail for the heater plug that tends to burn out and leak). Step 2 - if Step 1 doesn't fix your issue look for "lift pump" (either in line or in tank) or threads on replacing the quick disconnect fittings that leak air into the system.

Stay away from ether on a diesel engine except in a dire emergency and this is not one"

FYI hot fuel lines expands the fuel and tends to compress the air in the fuel but air in diesel fuel lines on CRD high pressure injectors is not good

PS X2 GDE comments although 1) you may not see burnt externally and 2) my burnt heater plugged leaked so little fuel I had to stick a "Q" tip in there and sniff it to ID a leak.

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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

The 2 things for me were the filter head from 1st to 2nd gen, which reduced the rate of air intake and then replaced the fuel lines between the fuel tank and the metal lines that go to the engine compartment. I did by a kennedy lift pump to install, but after replacing the fuel lines, I haven't had an air leak since. I swear it is the cheap clips that hold the fuel line as the source of the added leakage.

And the plethora of experts are starting to chime in. Didn't think they'd let me down

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JW
'06 CRD - stock

Ebay has some "kits" for sale:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/O-E-M-Mopar-05- ... es&hash=it

or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-LIBERTY-FU ... em51a061a9

_________________
Dennis
Considering sound advice, invent your own solutions
CRD

THANK YOU!
I acknowledge all your posts and counsel. Everybody points me in the same direction, so that's where I'm headed. I'll report back when I have it done and solved - may take me several weeks, got a big motorcycle trip coming up, so be patient for my update.

Order it off of ebay before your trip, it'll be waiting for you when you get home. This is one of those things that won't go away.

_________________
Dennis
Considering sound advice, invent your own solutions
CRD