Looking to Buy Liberty CRD

k5robnp · **Joined:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:10 am **Posts:** 47

Been looking to buy a Liberty CRD for a while now. Have done the research on the vehicles and just read the noob guide on this site. I was reading a thread that was talking about rocker arm wear? Is it the bearings in the rockers or where the rockers contact the valves themselves? Also, longevity of these engines? I also know the torque converter issues and will just expect to put a new one in as well as a tune if I get one without it, either that or unplug the maf. Anyone know of ones for sale?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:34 am

Rocker issues appear to be:
1. pin bearing wear likely related to soot in the oil - frequent oil change intervals (6kmiles)/quality oil and filter combined with a tune like GDE or other steps to minimize EGR flow probably help
2. failure as designed when timing belt job not done in time or correctly - rockers collapse to save valves and pistons.

From time to time ones show on the forum for sale

k5robnp · **Joined:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:10 am **Posts:** 47

Gotcha. So the wear should be preventable to an extent with good oil+filter and change intervals along with less egr etc.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue May 28, 2013 1:01 pm

Yes although that would factor into any purchase based on vehicle history. Lower mileage, there are some out there, with no soot related mods (EGR block, MAF disconnect, GDE tune) is probably ok but high mileage without those mods less ok. In other words the sooner those mods were made the better although a higher mileage vehicle with documented regular oil/filter changes might make a higher mileage vehicle ok.

I'll let others weigh in but IIRC you can partially check lifter health by pulling the intercooler>flow control valve and at idle hold a $1 bill in front of the FCV. If it tends to suck in good, if it tends to flutter out bad.

For what it's worth remember a timing belt job MUST be done every ca. 100,000 miles and if a seller "says" it's been done demand proof, receipts/work order/not just word of mouth unless you know the person. TB job with water pump runs about $550 in parts and takes about 5 hrs. Is a tedious DIY with the right tools or depending on your location perhaps a forum member's assistance. Rockers/lifters run $350 plus shipping and can also be DIY as part of a TB job with how much time added I don't know.

k5robnp · **Joined:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:10 am **Posts:** 47

ok good to know. How about the grand cheerokee crd's? I know they have the mercedes 3.0 diesel in them. How are they in terms of problems. I also know that they have a DPF which is another can of worms I'd rather not deal with.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue May 28, 2013 1:31 pm

Don't personally know anything. What little chat there is says 1) parts extremely expensive; 2) engine not rebuildable; and 3) dealer mechanics even more clueless about that vehicle than the KJ CRD but how reliable all that is I don't know. Post the question and see if you can find a forum on that vehicle.

k5robnp · **Joined:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:10 am **Posts:** 47

Gotcha, Id like to stick with the liberty as its for my wife and it being smaller is a good thing. I was just a little curious. There is a red liberty for sale here that looks good that is local so Im just waiting to hear back from him.

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

The Grand Cherokee CRD is more reliable but also needs a couple of mods but not as many as the Liberty CRD.

Advantages of Grand CRD (2007-2008 model)
(a) no timing chain
(b) No rocker issues
(c) No torque converter issues
(d) No known EGR or AFC valve issues
(e) DPF makes exahaust sparkling clean and diesel very economical
(f) It is VERY quiet and nobody knows its diesel unless I tell them or windows are rolled fully down. The entire package is much more refined. After riding a GC CRD, the KJ CRD sounds/rides like a dump truck.
(g) More interior space and better seats
(h) No glow plug failures to date unlike my Liberty
(i) Parts are cheaper at a MB dealer than a Jeep dealer
(j) Used engine parts more available
(k) Engine is very reliable and who cares about a rebuild, the Jeep components will fail and rust apart first before the engine dies
(l) $0.25 resistor fixes a very expensive swirl motor failure when it occurs

Disdvantages of a Grand CRD
(a) 10 liters of expensive oil per oil change
(b) Special oil change procedure or risk of bearing damage (how many dealerships or individuals follow this???)
(c) DPF: I love it but not sure how long it will last.
(d) Doesn't test your maintenance abilities as frequently.

thermorex · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:51 am

I think lost has a subforum with crd 3.0. Try looking up that and see what you find. Side rant, I'd trust more a mercedes engine than an italian VM...

Beardo76 · **Joined:** Wed May 15, 2013 3:29 pm **Posts:** 19

k5robnp, I'm considering selling my 2006 Liberty CRD. It's green, sport model, 112k miles.

Presently I've got some turbo boost problems on it, once we get resolved I'll have to decide if I want to part with it or not.

k5robnp · **Joined:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:10 am **Posts:** 47

Thanks for the reply but I ended up buying a red one withe very low miles from another member. Love it so far!

Beardo76 · **Joined:** Wed May 15, 2013 3:29 pm **Posts:** 19

Nice find!

Looking to Buy Liberty CRD

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