JK 2.8L CRD reliability.

[Rhiggins]

I am new to the Jeep market after selling my 100series turbo diesel cruiser... I am looking at a 2008 JK diesel with a 5speed automatic, its got 65,000kms.

From anyone's experiences what is the reliability like?

Is there anything i need to specifically watch out for? Even just model specific?

I have searched through a few jeep forums and haven't really found anything or anyone who has had a big issue with the 2.8L CRD motors?!?!?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,
Ryan

[4wheelinls1]

I've had no issues with ours. The engine isn't from Jeep, it's Italian I think, the same engine used now by Mercruiser?? Not even available in the US as a diesel.

Joel

[Wooders]

My biggest concern with the CRD is the long term avai;lability of parts - since this model was never available in the US there just isn't the vast amount of replacement parts that there is for the petrol engines.

[MightyMouse]

The VM Motori diesel is a good engine - the only issues i've seen are the occaisional intercooler hose blowing off - which IIRC was fixed.
As with all modern DI engines they are far more complex than the old style, but also perform far better.

Give them clean fuel and oil and you shouldn't have issues - there are now quite a few around the 100,000+ kM mark.

A potential down side however is parts cost and availability IF you ever need bits. As a new vehicle IMO not a concern but eventaully
it will become more of an issue when they get VERY second hand.

[OlllllllO Jee-Q]

my crd blew up at 38,000 kms.. :( 6 months later and i still havent got it back yet.....

[Yom]

my crd blew up at 38,000 kms.. :( 6 months later and i still havent got it back yet.....

that is dealership incompetence possibly with a little bit of incompetence from Chrysler being hopeless at parts sourcing.

[OlllllllO Jee-Q]

spot on yom...

[Jimbo]

My mates just bent a rod without going off road or ingesting any water (14,000km) Covered under warranty (initially they said no and would cost $15k) but jeep have had this thing for months now.

[Jimbo]

Just got the jeep back.......cost $21k to rebuild bottom end only!!! Paid for by jeep.

[Wooders]

A potential down side however is parts cost and availability IF[/b] you ever need bits. As a new vehicle IMO not a concern but eventaully
it will become more of an issue when they get VERY second hand.

It's not IF, it's WHEN

[MightyMouse]

.... sure they aren't perfect but there are many many trouble free ones kicking around, including high milage.
If you buy one that's VERY second hand, then like all non mainstream brands parts need to be considered, but this is no different from any other minor manufacturers vehicles.

The up side is that VM Motori is not a Chrysler owned company - they have been making diesel engines for.... yonks, so whilst chrysler based supply may be less than perfect the original manufacturer of the
engine is there as backup. The diesel electronics are made by Bosch so once again your not tied to Chrysler.

Certainly more relaible than the Chrysler produced petrol engine.

[Wooders]

The up side is that VM Motori is not a Chrysler owned company - they have been making diesel engines for.... yonks, so whilst chrysler based supply may be less than perfect the original manufacturer of the
engine is there as backup. The diesel electronics are made by Bosch so once again your not tied to Chrysler.

Certainly more relaible than the Chrysler produced petrol engine.

Just cause someones been doing it for yonks doesn't make them good
As for the comment comparing VM Diesels to Chrysler petrol - I would suggest a little more research using XJ Cherokees as a starting point........

[MightyMouse]

Ok..... i can see the politics here so whatever.

[Wooders]

No politics, just debating and in my opinion I disagree.

[Miraz]

If/when you do need engine parts, then there is a reasonable service network for VM-Motori that are able to supply at sensible prices - Chrysler's parts prices are largely a work of fantasy...

A complete RA-428 long block is under $8k from VM....compared to around $40k through a Jeep dealer

[Yom]

The up side is that VM Motori is not a Chrysler owned company - they have been making diesel engines for.... yonks, so whilst chrysler based supply may be less than perfect the original manufacturer of the
engine is there as backup. The diesel electronics are made by Bosch so once again your not tied to Chrysler.

Certainly more relaible than the Chrysler produced petrol engine.

Just cause someones been doing it for yonks doesn't make them good
As for the comment comparing VM Diesels to Chrysler petrol - I would suggest a little more research using XJ Cherokees as a starting point........

You know its strange...The VM 425/HR492 developed a reputation for being unreliable thanks to the XJ Cherokee.

The other vehicles it was fitted to do not suffer issues quite like the fitment of this motor in the XJ. It is no secret that the XJ has cooling issues. Surprise surprise heat kills things.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the RA428 in the JK is going to suffer head problems with a common frequency between 150k and 200k km and moreso in modified 4 doors.

[cssuk]

thats very strange here in EU and in the US now we have Jeeps fitted with the Mercedes 5 pot 2.7 unit which is well its a merc diesel say no more, the VM units have a reputation for going bang but as mentioned its most often heat related vent the bonnet and upgrade the cooling if towing and no issues, one thing to look out for the oil cooler on some models is in the chassis cross member, it gets cruded and under load the obvious happens (cooling again) just remember yanks dont normally do mud so look for mud traps because they dont!