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Jeep Liberty Diesel

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Comments

  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    I tend to drive my CRD with a light foot 98% of the time. The once or twice a week EGR " nose blowing" is the other 2%. The EGR issue as I see it comes from several problems.

    1. Poor fuel quality. Too much sulfur, cetane too low.
    2. Marginal motor oil. 0W-40 is rather light and I feel that more of the oil is vaporizing past the rings, etc and the by-products of the burn is adding to the problem.
    3. Possible design issue with the EGR valve.
  • faroutfarout Member Posts: 1,609
    I too have spots that seem to come out even after using the Mopar upostery cleaner. I have the Med Kaki int. But it still is not as bad as our 2004 Dodge Neon Black seats, they are really bad!
  • faroutfarout Member Posts: 1,609
    This 2005 Sport CRD is my first Diesel. After reading about the EGR problems and this VM Motori engine made in Italy, which has me concerned. What is really known about the quality of this engine? Has this Italian compant been making Diesel engines for a long time? If we do the schedule B service is it reasonable to think this engine will go more that my 1996 Neon with 175,000 and still runs good?
    I would really like to hear from you that have had diesels with solid experience. Thanks a lot!

    farout
  • faroutfarout Member Posts: 1,609
    Is the 5 speed automatic in the crd tha same as the 5 speed automatic that I had in my 2002 Dakota with the 4.7 V-8 ? I was told this was a special trans just for the Jeep, but I have my doubts.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    DDC Cento (VM Motori) in business since 1947. They have a solid reputation for quality engines in Europe and Detroit Diesel is now the owner. Detroit Diesel is experienced and reliable also. If you can get a Neon to 175,000, you should get a CRD to 500,000 miles.
    The EGR has been a problem for some, I'm confident that Diamler will solve the problem.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    545RFE transmission has been used with the 4.7L V8 since 1999. Some changes have been made since then. It is used with Hemi also. It is considered durable and reliable. Not everyone is happy with it's shift pattern.
  • kyjeeperkyjeeper Member Posts: 31
    :lemon: Just came from dealer trying to get my Jeep Fixed. He said the Jerking was Normal with a Diesel engine. I don't buy it calling a lawyer tomorrow and see if I can get anywhere with Lemon Law. The dealer seems madder than me that was a laugh. wish me luck :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    As has been already mentioned DDC has been making diesels since 1947 and Chrysler, before they merged with Daimler, was using them in Europe as far back as the early 90's and perhaps even earlier than that. DDC is 49% owned by Daimler.

    As to maintaining the engine, I would change oil more frequently than called for in the manual. Since U.S. diesel is still high in sulphur, in most cases, and not the best of quality, a more frequent oil change would be advised.
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    Try another dealer if one is close by. The jerking is definitely not normal. Also, there is a transmission fix related to the trans filters, but have forgotten exactly what that is.

    Also, try this. With the first start of the day, let the Jeep idle for about 30 - 45 seconds before putting it in gear. The reason I suggest this is that the torque converter partially to nearly completely drains into the body of the transmission after 4 - 6 hours. Letting it sit and idle for the 30 - 45 seconds allows the system to refill the torque converter and whatever else drains when sitting overnight. I got this info from a local Dodge dealer. I do this religiously and it makes such a difference in the performance of the trans. It is much smoother and hooks up properly in 5th.
    I am able to get the trans to hook up in 5th at 53mph and sometimes a little less but it will stay in 5th as low as 49 mph with the proviso that you are using the cruise control.

    One last thing. Change your diesel fuel. Get one with a cetane of at least 45. Locally Shell sells a 45 cetane fuel.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    DDC Cento (VM Motori) is 100% owned by Detroit Diesel which is owned by Daimler.

    Oil Change - Based on oil analysis of Rotella Synthetic and Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W40 in other diesel engines with EGR I can not recommend changing oil early. Oil was still good at 10,000 miles per oil analysis in TDI engines. 6250 miles of schedule B is conservative in my judgement. Maybe not if you use the 5W30 Mobil oil though.
  • isis2isis2 Member Posts: 1
    Jeep do put a diesel in the Wrangler. I don't know where it goes,might be military.
    I work where they make the frames. We have special engine mount brackets made
    for the diesel engine. Thats how I know.
  • willysjeepwillysjeep Member Posts: 107
    Jeep do put a diesel in the Wrangler. I don't know where it goes,might be military. I work where they make the frames. We have special engine mount brackets made for the diesel engine. Thats how I know.

    Awesome - I'm going to be looking more closely at the Wranglers. Maybe I'll see one. I know Mahindra made a diesel Jeep in India for years. Maybe they export the frames to another country.

    I'll be looking for other diesel Liberties too. I have yet to see anyone driving another diesel Liberty and I've had mine since February. People, I think we are all rare specimans.
  • anomiousanomious Member Posts: 170
    VM Motori was said to have been owned 49% DDC and 51% bi Roger Penske.
    What happened to Penske? Did he die and will it to Daimler Chrysler? :confuse:
  • boilermaker2boilermaker2 Member Posts: 131
    I'll be looking for other diesel Liberties too. I have yet to see anyone driving another diesel Liberty and I've had mine since February. People, I think we are all rare specimens.

    You bet we're rare. You can see it on the people's faces. SUV's smaller than an armored vehicle just aren't supposed to have diesels. It upsets the natural order. It challenges long-held false logic. Poor some biodiesel in it so it doesn't stink up the place. That really makes them wonder what happened to the world.

    You have a vehicle that will haul four people and there belongings anywhere, pull as much as a mid-sized truck and still get 22-23 MPG. Most people just don't understand. Could it, would it, should be called a "CRD thing"? ;)
  • anomiousanomious Member Posts: 170
    Hi! Kyjeeper....Do listen to Winter and find yourself a "good" Jeep dealer. I have been driving diesel cars (Mercedes) since 1968. They ain't suposed to jerk! I don't have many miles on my Libby yet but based on my experience, I believe that its a good little SUV.. Unfortunately, I trust my dealer's service about as far as I can spit! I will do as much as I can myself and have to fight for the things that I can't. Good luck, keep us posted.
    LK
  • anomiousanomious Member Posts: 170
    Hi! Farout, Please keep us posted on the seat stain problem. I have rain spots too but haven't gone to see satan (the dealer) yet!
    Thanks and good luck! LK :)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It's confusing but Pensky Group still holds 51%. (link).

    "In 2000 VM Motori, together with Detroit Diesel Corporation, became part of the DaimlerChrysler Group. In 2003 the share packet of the Company was defined as follows: 51% Penske Group and 49% DailmerChrysler Group." link

    Part of the confusion probably stems from the fact that Detroit Diesel was partly a Penske Group company at one time, but it's now a subsidiary of DC. (link). Not to mention that Detroit Diesel was originally founded by GM.

    Or so the net says - Moparbad may have better information that what I can dig up.

    Or maybe no one really cares, except Roger. :shades:

    Steve, Host
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    No, I made a big mistake! :blush: I believed incorrectly that Daimler purchased the remaining 51% of VM Motori when the name of VM was changed to DDC Cento.

    You are correct that Penske still owns 51% of DDC Cento.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Penske purchased Detroit Diesel (80%) from General Motors, then Daimler was partner in Detroit Diesel with Penske, then Daimler purchased remaining shares of Detroit Diesel,.....Arrrghhhh....no wonder I made a mistake.

    Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) buys VM Motori in 1995, OEM automotive sales account for 75% of income. Cherokee (#1 in SUV's) and Voyager (#1 in mini-vans) become a major customer for VM in major deal with Chrysler. 2000 saw change again with the purchase of DDC by DaimlerChrysler AG. In 2003 Penske Corporation purchased a 51% stake, and today the company is co-owned by Penske and DaimlerChrysler (49% stake), and produces diesel engines for a variety of auto makers.

    Bottom line, the CRD engine is made in Cento, Italy. I've never been to Cento, although I've been to Trieste where VM Motori used to have a manufacturing plant before they entered the automotive engine business. :)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    51% of DDC Cento

    Now wait a minute - that's your 1100 centos?

    (sorry, a little Roman numeral joke for Tidester there).

    Penske Group companies look to be worth about 11 billion by the way.

    Steve, Host
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    a little Roman numeral joke for Tidester there

    LoL! But ... "cento" is Italian for 100 so I guess "DDC Cento" would have to be 1100X100 = 110,000. :)

    (Unfortunately, "D" is one of those symbols you're not allowed to repeat -- now back to our regularly scheduled program!)

    tidester, host
  • unclebubbaunclebubba Member Posts: 80
    As you've already seen from other replies, the engine is from a reputable builder of diesels. Also comforting to note, is the fact that this engine has been in use in Liberty's in Europe for the past 3 or 4 years (according to Daimler Chrysler product and sales district manager here on east coast). Interesting to note, also, is the fact that the USA/Canada is the only place where Daimler-Chrysler has had EGR problems!!

    The whole thing about the fuel being poor quality is ringing truer every day. Especially when you think about the fact that in Europe, diesel passenger cars are common and here they are not. The demand for quality fuel for diesel passanger cars is much greater there. Hopefully things will come around here in north america. :)
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    I have written to VM Motori concerning oil change intervals and also the use of alternate viscosity oils. The answer I received from them concerning the intervals was to follow the the recommendations of the owner's manual, but the responder also stated that it would do no harm to the engine to change the oil more frequently. As to the use of an alternate viscosity oil such as 5W-30, I asked them about that too. The answer from them is NO! The response was that the oil did not have the properties they required when the engine was fully warmed up.
  • unclebubbaunclebubba Member Posts: 80
    FYI, took unit to dealer, could not duplicate problem (knew that would happen!) and had oil/filter change done. While at the dealer, the district manager for product development and sales was there rubbing elbows with managers and such. He's from Australia, lived in the states for 20+ years, said that thousands of EGR valves world wide and north america is the only place where they are a problem. He believes it relates to the poor quality of the diesel fuel here. Just thought you'd like something else to mull over. Good luck
  • unclebubbaunclebubba Member Posts: 80
    1) Does anyone have any idea about the average cetane on diesel fuels here in USA/CANADA? :confuse:
    2) Also, does anyone know what the ratings are in Europe? :confuse:
    3)Has anyone found any websites offering aftermarket items "specifically" for the CRD? :confuse:
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    To answer your first two questions

    1. The minimum cetane requirement in Canada and the U.S. for on-road diesel is 40. In California, it is 47 or 48 depending on refiner size. Smaller refiner gets to make 47 cetane.
    2. In the European Union, a minimum cetane of 51 is required.

    See the link to the article below

    link title
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    While investigating some of the questions in post # 2537, I came across several articles concerning domestic (U.S.) diesel fuel quality and several of the issues frequently repeated here in this forum.

    1. Stuttering or missing, sagging performance are all related to the cetane number of the fuel. With the majority of refiners selling 40 cetane fuel, there lies some of the performance issues including lower than expected fuel economy. The more I read and learn, the more I realize that the engine in the CRD is designed to run on 50+ cetane fuel, and not the crap they sell here. Yes, you can get away with 40 cetane, but at the loss of performance and fuel economy and increased emissions.

    2. EGR problems are related to the sulfur content of domestic and Canadian diesel fuels. The burning of sulfur yields sulfur dioxide and a little sulfur trioxide. When mixed with water, they produce sulfurous acid and sulfuric acid, both very corrosive substances as we all know. These acids also attack the exhaust system , the cylinder walls , rings, etc. The sulfur burn by products also poison the catalytic converter and increase particulate emissions. These particulates can eventually clog the converter, leading to other issues.

    So what do we do?

    1. Find a higher cetane fuel. Locally in Montgomery County MD, Shell sells a 45 cetane fuel. Add some cetane improver to that so hopefully you end up with a cetane of 50+. If you cannot find Shell, just add the cetane improver or buy a fuel where you know the cetane is greater than or equal to 50. I would even suggest posting places where the cetane of the fuel is known to be 45 or better.

    2. The sulfur issue will not go away until sometime in 2006, so we are stuck. For those of you who live in CA, you should have access to their low sulfur ARCO "EC" diesel fuel. As for the acid problem, change your oil more frequently than recommended in the owners manual, especially if you are using the 0W-40 oil. I recommend a 5W-40 oil like the Mobil 1 Truck and SUV, or Shell Rotella, Valvoline Blue Extreme, Amsoil 5W-40. All have the CI-4 detergency rating and a very high TBN. Once the ULS diesel is being sold nationwide, then the 0W-40 oil should be fine and the EGR issues that some of you are facing should go away.
  • unclebubbaunclebubba Member Posts: 80
    Thanks for your prompt and obviously thorough investigation of the answers to the questions I posted!! I went to the link you thoughtfully provided, thank you very much.

    Your findings give great credence to the DC product development & sales district manager I spoke with here in South Carolina. He is from Australia and his comment that the only place they have had issues with EGR and performance issues is here in North America. His belief was that it was due to the low quality of fuel available here. We do have crap for fuel! I will be using a cetane booster to try and eliminate/minimize the symptoms I have been having.

    Thanks, once again for your investigation and your response. :D
  • indianrefiningindianrefining Member Posts: 102
    Does anyone happen to know the cetane rating for Marathon #2 Diesel Fuel (which, I'm assuming, is what is also sold at Speedway stations)? Based on personal experience, I'm thinking that it must be higher than Sunoco.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    I will be using a cetane booster to try and eliminate/minimize the symptoms I have been having. Good idea, adding quality additives will not hurt anything.

    When I suggest an additive for diesel fuel to improve cetane, improve lubricity, add biocide (in the appropriate situation), anti-gel (when appropriate) the reaction varies from agreement to questions to ridicule.

    I'll continue using an additives to deal with poor quality fuel and protect expensive injection systems.

    My gas vehicles receive no additives. No reason to add them and most additives are as effective as snake oil.
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    Call them. I am sure they have a website and you can either find a number to call or email them a note with your question.
  • tired_old_davetired_old_dave Member Posts: 710
    Yes, I'm back. Been lurking here and at the other places.
    Yes, anomious (I believe it was you who stated) they got our money.
    The sour taste in my mouth is still there and my "marketing misfire" statement months ago seems to have won out. CRD's here but not there, not dealing here, begging customers elsewhere to please take them off the lot. Commander hemi's are held at the factory to replace the trans filters but does DC care about us - no.
    We can pay $110 to get the filter changed.
  • tired_old_davetired_old_dave Member Posts: 710
    "Priming the fuel system
    ...(2) Depress the fuel primer 20 consequetive times then open the bleeder screw on top of the housing to dispel trapped air..."
  • tired_old_davetired_old_dave Member Posts: 710
    "Thank you for your inquiry...
    Most recently GM's issuing of two TSB's...in their Cummins engines." (sic)
    "Right now we are getting calls out of Texas of fuel being contaminated by asphaltines in the Mexican crude it is derived from, and our additive will not reverse or correct that!"

    Stanadyne 2005/04/27
  • tired_old_davetired_old_dave Member Posts: 710
    Shell / Pemex - 50/50 partnership.
  • tired_old_davetired_old_dave Member Posts: 710
    While buying shell, asked owner who supplies his fuel. A fleet manager in the store stated he should have the fuel info at the time of delivery. As soon as I said CRD and power service, he blurted out "..gummed up your common rail injectors"

    Coming back from OK (getting 22mpg with tx shell and power service on cruise at 65 for the trip up), fueled up at a Conoco and sped back to tx and got 28 mpg, a record.

    Now I just bought my second tank of Mobil and got 24.5 of pure grocery getting miles. I went and bought the gallon of CRC Fuel Supplement at napa to mix with my power service to use it up and switched to mobil at the same time. I believe though, that I still have my original egr because of the power service and 4 bottles of the good synthetic Red Line Catalyst that I have used.
  • frostyyfrostyy Member Posts: 52
    Yep, that's definitely what it is...thanks for the info...
  • tired_old_davetired_old_dave Member Posts: 710
    I did my own. Rear differential was not machined smooth on the bottom half. Looks like they only lathed the top half. Crappy brown and milky crap came out.
    (It appeared to be bad old 80-90w even though built with the trailer package) Metal filings were very few and the ring gear was meshing correctly, evidenced by the wear marks.

    From Grubbs parts department learned that the old 80-90w grease has to be eaten by the dealerships - 75-140 seems to be the recommended lube for front and rear differentials. The new limited slip additive may or may not be added on the assembly line and contrary to the manual - 2 bottles are to be used since the new lube is not the old thick stuff that use to be used.

    I used a machinist's brass brush to remove the old orange "gasket material" from the rear differential ( I later found out the mechanic's use brake spray). And I used the Jeep light gray RTC to seal the rear. This is the material I found on the front differential. The front differential lube was clear and clean and appeared to be the good 75-140w syn.

    I was advised that with the syn lube in back, I might notice a slight delay in the Trak-Lok clutches engaging.
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    Found a few bits of information.

    Shell: 45
    Mobil/Exxon: 41 - 43
    Chevron/Texaco: 40 (48 in CA)
    ARCO: ULSD in CA 54
    AMOCO: 45
  • vtdogvtdog Member Posts: 163
    Hess is listed as 45, but can drop to 42
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    Maybe you are just plain lucky. The additives get consumed in the combustion process so they have no direct impact on the EGR valve. But keeping your injectors clean and keeping the combustion process at peak levels does help.

    Redline and Amsoil make some good stuff. I am using the cetane improver from Amsoil presently and it has detergents for injector cleanliness. Higher cetane gives you a better burn.

    As long as the refiners continue to deliver marginal diesel fuel to consumers, EGR and other performance issues will continue to arise.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    The additives get consumed in the combustion process so they have no direct impact on the EGR valve.

    There is a direct impact. By increasing the cetane the combustion process is more complete and this reduces soot and egr fouling.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "Finally, SUVs that don't eat into your retirement savings when it's time to fill them up. We drive them and tell you if it's worth it to go hybrid or diesel."

    Hybrid and Diesel SUV Roundup (Inside Line)

    Steve, Host
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Would have been nice to see the Limited Liberty tested since the Highlander and Lexus were in the feature.
  • trumpet_washertrumpet_washer Member Posts: 48
    I'm going to throw a small simian spanner into the gears now. My friend who owns the fleet fueling place where he sells ONLY B11 is also the local BP distributor. I asked him about who actually supplies the various stations around town. His answer, in brief, was that since retailers pay for delivery, they buy from the closest tank farm. On the west side of town, it would be Shell, on the east side, Marathon, and to the north, Phillips. Spec sheets contain information about fuel that the oil company produces, not necessarily what goes out the hose.
  • bullheadbullhead Member Posts: 125
    Is it just me, or is discussion of towing capacity / towing ability conspicuous in its absence from the article? Towing is the "T" in 'UTILITY' (Okay... both of 'em). If you still need a truck to haul your boat, camper, landscape rock, etc., the economy scale tips even farther.

    In our future hydrogen economy, the CRD will emit relatively little soot, if diesel produced from H+ or even natural gas is made widely available. And we won't need to retrofit hydrogen storage tanks in our rigs. :lemon:
  • silverminersilverminer Member Posts: 15
    I'm confused, but I suspect someone out there will be able to set me straight.

    I'm reading a lot about EGR problems and it sounds like this might be related to fuel sold in the U.S. I also hear that a quick fix is to "blow the engine's nose" by stomping on the gas and running the piss out of it.

    How is it that sailboats and motorboats that travel all over the world can idle along at a purr day after day after day? Set me straight!
  • winter2winter2 Member Posts: 1,801
    Diesel engines in boats do not have EGR valves as far as I know. Emissions standards for boat engines are different from the emissions standards for on-road vehicles.

    The "nose blowing" is not a fix, but a preventive measure. Since the cetane of domestic diesel is in the low 40's, high sulfur and European diesel is 51+ and ULS, in there lies the problem. Lower cetane fuels do not burn as readily or as completely as higher cetane fuels, thus producing more soot/particulate. The level of sulfur in domestic diesel contributes to the particulate issue and creates corrosive acids within the engine and within the exhaust system including the EGR valve. When domestic diesel goes ULS sometime in 2006, the EGR issue and some of the particulate issue should easy to a fair degree. I do not see domestic refiners increasing the cetane, or so I have heard. In CA, ARCO makes a diesel that is ULS and has a cetane of 54. I would love to get my hands on some of that. In the meantime, I will blow the nose of the EGR and add an ashless cetane improver to do what I can to keep my CRD happy and healthy.
  • ttandjjttandjj Member Posts: 21
    Most diesels on boats do not have turbochargers. They simply don't need them.
  • vtdogvtdog Member Posts: 163
    Reading this and other forums in regard to the CRD is like listening to kids argue about who is better super hero. In reading the forums very often one finds very contradictory advice. For example:

    1. Mobil 0-40 sucks, Mobil 0-40 is great
    2. You must change oil early, no is ok for 25k miles
    3. Only a plus oil is ok for the CRD, Plus oil not needed
    4. Break in by taking it easy first 500mi, No stomp on it
    5. Worry about EGR, EGR replaced under warranty-no problem
    6. Intakes will clog at 50k mi, Intakes will be fine
    7. Use additives its the only thing saving your engine-Don't need additives
    8. Get a PROVENT now, don't need it on turbo
    9. Etc (you get the idea)

    So, my point is-other than following DC recommended procedures, what is the "average" driver (me) who has limited knowledge/skills to do-what advice do you follow?
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