2005 Jeep Liberty CRD after $3042.46 in repairs...

New Cams, New Rocker & Lifters, New EGR, New Sensor, and this is how that repair sounds. Money well spent? I don't think so.
The 2.8L VM-Motori Diesel CRD has proven to cost more per mile in repairs than the 12.7L 60-Series Detroit Diesel that was in my old 2003 Freightliner Columbia. The 12.7L was also easier to work on.
This engine had thought to have jumped timing due to being overdue for a timing belt change (yes, that would have been my fault). After spending the money on the speciality tools required for this engine I inserted all the timing pins into the engine and confirmed that it had not jumped timing. I did proceed with changing the timing belt and water pump. Then back to trying to diagnose what was wrong with the engine. Checked injectors, EGR, and quite a few other things. Everything still lead me to believe it was in the top end. With winter approaching I decided to take it to the dealer to hopefully get it repaired much faster than with me doing the work. They were hesitant on tearing into the engine and wanted to do their own diagnostics first. They replaced a sensor, the EGR valve, and also checked the injectors and glow plugs. After all of that they ended up tearing into the top end and found an obvious problem. One lifter had a catastrophic failure. There were pieces everywhere. After 3 months at their shop, 2 cams, 16 rockers and lifters later, the engine now sounds like it has a deeper issue. Sounds like bottom end now. Rebuilt engine is $5500 with a $3500 core charge not to mention that the warranty on the replacement engine would be void if I install it myself. Looks like I will end up tearing the motor down myself and hopefully rebuilding it when money allows. In the mean time, for half of what I have put into repairing the 2.8L VM-Motori CRD, I was able to buy a recently wrecked but running/driving 2006 Jeep Liberty with the 3.7L V6 gas engine. I am going to swap that entire drivetrain, radiator, fuel tank, wiring, computer, and whatever else is different over to the 2005 KJ. This will be the cheapest route since my time and labor won't cost me a dime.

[@t4thfavor1212]

OK, so I know this is crazy necro thread, but here we go... The reason that it sounds like that is that either they did not replace the busted off rockers (from the timing slip) or when they did, one or more of them fell off the valve when the intake was placed back on. This is very common, and can be avoided by rotating each cam and listening for the correct "clang" that a proper rocker will make. If any of them sound different, then at least one fell off. I hope this helps someone in the future :)

[@jeepcollector91]

I was a bit late on changing the timing belt but all timing pins lined up perfectly before and after replacing the belt. Due to time constraints I took a chance and let the dealership perform the repairs. I did have to loan them the tools I had purchased for the engine. They discovered a lifter that had come apart as well as a failed rocker which destroyed both camshafts with the pieces. The dealership mechanic claims to have checked inside the cylinders with a borescope. The head was not removed for these repairs. After replacing the camshafts, rockers & lifters, the engine sounded the same. I did remove the cam cover again a while back and the new rocker for the same cylinder had collapsed. No noticeable damage to the cams this time. The piston must be contacting the valves for that cylinder for some reason. Some day I will dig into the engine a little deeper and try to find the cause. Maybe even rebuild it. Until then, the little diesel will just be taking up space in my shed... LOL

[@t4thfavor1212]

Did you end up inspecting through one of the injector holes? There's plenty of room for a scope. maybe one of the valves is busted off, but you'd think that it would be visible with the intake mani off. I just did head gasket, studs, rockers, exhaust valves, timing belt, and water pump. All is well except for the brand new water pump that just started leaking out the weep hole on the bottom :( It's a pain to work on, but I still love the little diesel!

[@mashoodahmad4455]

Did you get your Connecting Rod Bearings replaced cause it sure doesn't sound like it

[@RedneckGarage]

Damn dude who did the repairs ? Did they put oil back in it ? ;)

[@jeepcollector91]

Local Jeep dealer. $1800 in parts and the rest was labor. Should have done all the work myself but was too busy with other projects. I will end up tearing the engine down eventually to find what else had failed. In the mean time, I am swapping in a 3.7L V6 gas engine.

[@RedneckGarage]

JeepCollector91 Ahhh that makes complete sense then - crappy repair for double the regular price = dealer.

[@jmhowell70]

Lets hope they get whatever they messed up fixed, is that the same jeep I remember?

[@jeepcollector91]

Yes, thats the one we have had since early 2005. I loved the diesel but due to the VM-Motori 2.8L being so darn expensive to repair compared to other small diesels, I think its days are numbered. The 3.7L V6 is waiting to have a go in this Jeep. I doubt the dealer will fix it. I didn't even loan them my tools this time around. Waiting for them to call and ask to borrow them again.

[@garyshadle764]

W hat else do you have to change to do the swap?

[@jeepcollector91]

Engine, Trans, Fuel Tank, Radiator/Trans Cooler, Engine Harness, Maybe ABS System (changed on both '06 gas and diesel models). May be swapping the complete dash and body harness but that all depends if I can get buy with just changing out certain components. The '05 CRD is at the dealer again. They kept calling wanting us to bring it back. Dropped it off on Tuesday. Hope that doesn't mean I won't see it for another 3 months. In the mean time I have been driving the wrecked '06 around the yard.

[@jeepcollector91]

Almost forgot, the engine cradle/K-member. The one on the wrecked '06 was damaged so I picked on up from the local U-Pull for $40.