Overheated because of coolant loss and like a dummy I put in barsleak that the stealership (Rice Jeep Chrystler in Alcoa, TN) says crapped out my #2 cylinder. Thoughts, suggestions? I am in the military at Fort Lee, VA and plan on towing it to my Dads house in Kershaw, SC which is near Columbia, SC. Anybody know somone near there to get a second opinion? I am figuring out the hard way that motors and parts for the CRD are hard to get and expensive if you can find them. It was lot driveable before the fan relays were replaced (the culprit all along) and the radiator. It was not till after the testing of fixed cooling system jeep started sounding and running like doo doo.

I was thinking about getting a wrecked donar V-6 and swapping the neccessary parts into my CRD to have the V6. I know that is a lot, but it may be the cheapest route sad to say and then I won't be worried about finding the diesel parts anymore. Is the engine cradle a bolt up job? I don't weld is my main concern with attempting this, but looking at a few pics, most of the engine compartment was identical so I hope it would just a matter of moving all the V6 parts to my CRD.

Again please let me know what you all think, and please be kind if I am way out in left field.

Well first off, what exactly do you mean by "crapped out" that's not exactly a technical term. You could certainly rebuild that engine for less time and money than it would take to swap in a gas v6. it really depends on what is wrong with your engine. does cyl #2 have low compression, did you drop a valve, is the head warped or cracked, do you have combustion gas in the coolant, these are all things we have to know. Its possible that you maybe just need a new head, or to re ring and hone the cylinders. Whatever the case just give us as many details as possible. The quote you got on another thread for 7800 bucks is insane. I could build new engines all day long for that kind of money. Diagnosing engine problems over the internet is like diagnosing medical problems with ask-a-nurse, hard to tell if its infected without getting a good look.

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2006 Sport 4X4, Deep Beryl Green, NSG370, NV241J, Lifted with OME 927/948 and Bilstein, JBA 4.5 UCA's, Custom 3" Rear Y-Link Extension and Swaybar Relocation, 265/75-16 Toyo Open Country AT2 tires, Black Plastidipped bumpers, flares, and doors, Pioneer speakers, Alpine head unit, 1200w Phoenix Gold Amp, 12" Dayton Reference sub.

Yep it'll cost way more then the $8000 for a new 2.8 to try and swap in a 3.7 in your KJ.

check around for a good diesel shop
standard dealerships' got a 45 minute video on the diesel 7 years ago
and their diagnostic techniques show it..

some of the shops who do Sprinters/Cummins at least have a clue.

with a good shop - it should be cheaper to repair the 2.8

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

I work on sprinters daily. You have to approach them a little differently but they aren't too hard to fix. There's always a possibility that the shop isn't confident on their ability to fix it so they are trying to scare you away with an inflated quote.

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2006 Sport 4X4, Deep Beryl Green, NSG370, NV241J, Lifted with OME 927/948 and Bilstein, JBA 4.5 UCA's, Custom 3" Rear Y-Link Extension and Swaybar Relocation, 265/75-16 Toyo Open Country AT2 tires, Black Plastidipped bumpers, flares, and doors, Pioneer speakers, Alpine head unit, 1200w Phoenix Gold Amp, 12" Dayton Reference sub.

Are there any good shops near Columbia, SC that anybody recommends? Also the question still remains unanswered, is the engine cradle a bolt up deal, ie. from the 3.7 cradle to the 2.8L? I think that even if it were the same to swap it might be worth it in the long run as parts and motors become more and more scarce. Again, I was thinking about buying an entire donar 2005-2007 kj and swap out everything needed for the v6, by myself, so no labor. Again, and already, I appreciate all the advice. I will tow it out of the dealers soon and know exactly what they said is wrong.

You will need everything from a donor vehicle to include the wiring,PCM,BCM,and the entire drivetrain minus the rear diff.Must also use the same model your as your CRD.If you have a '05 you must use '05 gas KJ,if you have a '06 you must use a '06 gas KJ.It will take alot of work and not guaranteed to work.

Will also make re-selling it impossible,no dealer would take it on trade unless your willing to take a severe hit as they may only give you $500 or less for it.

ping geordi and stop by for a drs. visit. He has plenty of stuff to compare it with

Thanks. This is worst case scenario and aimed at me keeping the shell of a kj that I have (limited, heated seats, moonroof, airbag suspension, Old Man Emu Lift, tow controller and hitch, awesome stereo, etc.) but sacrificing the diesel mileage, and the fact that I will have it forever with the long term availability of the v6's.) I love the diesel, don't get me wrong, it is just that there is a lot to go wrong, and it all expensive and scarce. I called a lady with VM Motari and she is going to mail me a data package on the motor such as schematics and parts. I am definately going to have a second opinion first and go from there. I will start a seperate post looking for a good trusted diesel mechanic near Columbia, SC.

The jeep is now at my Dad's in SC and the motor is torn apart. A valve broke in the #2 and damaged the head. I would imagine the whole motor should be rebuilt. I still think a donar V-6 swap is the direction I am headed with this, but I am giving it a month or so to try to source a good used motor or a good deal on a long block. I still have the unanswered question if the engine cradle is a bolt up job.

I am not sure but I believe the engine cradle is a weld in job... If it were mine I would not even bother with the gas engine swap at all. it is just too many parts that you are going to need to change and no guarantee of it ever working. If you stick with the diesel and have a real diesel shop repair it or get a used engine at least if done correctly the Jeep will run again and be of value. no one is going to want a converted vehicle or pay a decent price for it. IF you think swapping an engine is going to be easy there is a member on the boards here that is trying to swap a gas 4.7 V8 in place of the 3.7 V6. His swap has been taking months and its all done but the wiring and from what I took from how he said it was going that part has been the longest most time consuming part of it.

The engine also uses cylinder liners that from what I understand are replaceable. so it the block is not damaged it may be you need a few valves, some rocker arms, a new head and maybe not much more..... you really need to take the stuff Dana @ VM sent your and the jeep to a good diesel mechanic look over it all.

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2006 Liberty CRD Limited Deep Beryl Green Metallic Clear coat, Fumoto valve, MH ProVent (removed), GDE Eco tune,
OME 790/948 springs, OME struts, OME N132L shocks, Jeepin by Al A-arms, Hercules Terra Trac AT2 245/75R16
Weeks Stage 1 EGR delete, 5 volt steel glow plugs

Engine cradle is a bolt in job and try Galeana Chrysler Jeep Kia they do a lot of my major work on the CRD. They did my timing belt for 900 with me buying the parts of course but still only cost me 1300. But they work on a lot of Sprinter vans and cummins trucks and have the full Miller tool sets for these CRDs also know how to use them.

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My CRD Build Thread
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