EcoDiesel Ordering
This is a reply I got from Jeep when I asked why I could not "build and Price" a Grand Cherokee with a diesel. Doesn't make sense. It is great to read of your interest in Jeep! Please be advis...
Forum Discussion
Here is the post from the Airstream forums that I referenced in my post above:
I am regretfully parting with my lifetime favorite vehicle. After over 26K towing miles, our 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel has hitched to our FC23FB for the last time. I’ve written many posts herein praising the capabilities and comfort of this vehicle, and now must share the unhappy ending. My intent is not to complain or frighten, but simply to inform other 2014 GC EcoDiesel owners.
Upon return from our annual migration to our sailboat in Florida, I was unhitching the Airstream when I noticed movement in the receiver hitch. I advanced the 60K maintenance and brought the GC to the dealer. The receiver hitch had completely fractured where it attaches to the chassis on the starboard side. Needless to say, this could have been catastrophic on the recent 2350 mile tow. The dealer replaced the hitch (not under warranty) and completed the full 60K service - all fluids, filters etc. Dealer explanation: “You must have overloaded the hitch”. I disagreed. This is a 7200 lb tow capacity vehicle that has beautifully towed this 5680 lb trailer (wet weight loaded for camping) for over 26K miles over all sorts of terrain in all sorts of weather.
Three weeks later, with the GC all serviced, and the Airstream as well (new brakes at 52K miles), we decided to take a short (for us) camping trip to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Taking off on a Sunday, we drove Hwy 550 N from Durango. It’s a gorgeous drive which we’ve done with the Airstream four times previously, and many times without the trailer. Traffic was fairly heavy, and we were climbing at about 45 mph in 74ºF ambient. Just 1 mile short of Coal Bank Pass, coolant temp went max, engine power fell off, and the engine went into ‘limp mode’. Fortunately there was a pullout on the opposite side and a break in traffic. I got the rig well off the highway before the engine shut down with a cloud of white smoke from the exhaust. It felt to me like a blown head gasket.
Now, 2014 EcoDiesel owners will know that this engine runs hot when climbing under load. This was a concern of many owners, and I’ve seen the coolant temp go high when climbing many passes in CO and WA. Dealers have assured me that there was no problem, and I knew what to expect. This time it was abnormal.
A Sunday afternoon during peak tourist season is not a great time to get a tow vehicle in this area. We sat beside 550 for four hours, but fortunately had a comfortable Airstream in which to have lunch and a rest. Telluride Towing finally arrived with a platform truck, loaded the GC, hitched the Airstream and towed us home and dropped the GC at the dealer in Durango.
The diagnosis after two weeks in the shop: “DPF got clogged and overheated and took out SCR cat and sensors and DEF injector”. Replaced several sensors that melted, catalytic converter, turbo exhaust outlet seal, DPF exhaust, exhaust gasket, injector dosage module ……
Fortunately we were 800 miles short of the 60K warranty expiration, and all was covered, including the $730 tow.
I picked up the GC and it is running as sweetly as ever, but it will tow us no more. With the expiring warranty, the hitch failure and this engine failure, prudence dictates a change of tow vehicle. A 2017 RAM Longhorn Limited with the 5.7L HEMI, Crew Cab, 4x4, 8 sp automatic and active air suspension will be delivered next week. Silver, of course. It won’t get the 17.6 overall towing mpg of the GC EcoDiesel, but it should be a fine tow vehicle with greater capacity and reliability. I received Kelly Blue Book trade in for the GC.
So, 2014 GC EcoDiesel owners, enjoy your vehicle as we did, but inspect the hitch (not easy, requires removal of rear bumper and fascia) and good luck with the engine.
I am regretfully parting with my lifetime favorite vehicle. After over 26K towing miles, our 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel has hitched to our FC23FB for the last time. I’ve written many posts herein praising the capabilities and comfort of this vehicle, and now must share the unhappy ending. My intent is not to complain or frighten, but simply to inform other 2014 GC EcoDiesel owners.
Upon return from our annual migration to our sailboat in Florida, I was unhitching the Airstream when I noticed movement in the receiver hitch. I advanced the 60K maintenance and brought the GC to the dealer. The receiver hitch had completely fractured where it attaches to the chassis on the starboard side. Needless to say, this could have been catastrophic on the recent 2350 mile tow. The dealer replaced the hitch (not under warranty) and completed the full 60K service - all fluids, filters etc. Dealer explanation: “You must have overloaded the hitch”. I disagreed. This is a 7200 lb tow capacity vehicle that has beautifully towed this 5680 lb trailer (wet weight loaded for camping) for over 26K miles over all sorts of terrain in all sorts of weather.
Three weeks later, with the GC all serviced, and the Airstream as well (new brakes at 52K miles), we decided to take a short (for us) camping trip to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Taking off on a Sunday, we drove Hwy 550 N from Durango. It’s a gorgeous drive which we’ve done with the Airstream four times previously, and many times without the trailer. Traffic was fairly heavy, and we were climbing at about 45 mph in 74ºF ambient. Just 1 mile short of Coal Bank Pass, coolant temp went max, engine power fell off, and the engine went into ‘limp mode’. Fortunately there was a pullout on the opposite side and a break in traffic. I got the rig well off the highway before the engine shut down with a cloud of white smoke from the exhaust. It felt to me like a blown head gasket.
Now, 2014 EcoDiesel owners will know that this engine runs hot when climbing under load. This was a concern of many owners, and I’ve seen the coolant temp go high when climbing many passes in CO and WA. Dealers have assured me that there was no problem, and I knew what to expect. This time it was abnormal.
A Sunday afternoon during peak tourist season is not a great time to get a tow vehicle in this area. We sat beside 550 for four hours, but fortunately had a comfortable Airstream in which to have lunch and a rest. Telluride Towing finally arrived with a platform truck, loaded the GC, hitched the Airstream and towed us home and dropped the GC at the dealer in Durango.
The diagnosis after two weeks in the shop: “DPF got clogged and overheated and took out SCR cat and sensors and DEF injector”. Replaced several sensors that melted, catalytic converter, turbo exhaust outlet seal, DPF exhaust, exhaust gasket, injector dosage module ……
Fortunately we were 800 miles short of the 60K warranty expiration, and all was covered, including the $730 tow.
I picked up the GC and it is running as sweetly as ever, but it will tow us no more. With the expiring warranty, the hitch failure and this engine failure, prudence dictates a change of tow vehicle. A 2017 RAM Longhorn Limited with the 5.7L HEMI, Crew Cab, 4x4, 8 sp automatic and active air suspension will be delivered next week. Silver, of course. It won’t get the 17.6 overall towing mpg of the GC EcoDiesel, but it should be a fine tow vehicle with greater capacity and reliability. I received Kelly Blue Book trade in for the GC.
So, 2014 GC EcoDiesel owners, enjoy your vehicle as we did, but inspect the hitch (not easy, requires removal of rear bumper and fascia) and good luck with the engine.
