Jeep Liberty Diesel

[studmuffin]

Looking to replace our 2008 CRV, as a toad. I found a 2005 Liberty diesel,4x4, automatic, that looks pretty good.
Looking for anyone who had, or has one, and about any problems with them. I know it is no rocket ship, but can you live with it. The fuel mileage is a bit better than a gas Liberty, but still poor.
Any answers will help.
Thanks, in advance, the returned, and again rving, Muffin Man.

[naturist]

I have put 200,000 miles on my 2005 Libby diesel. On the one hand it is a strong little tractor, and the 26-28 mpg I get from it when not towing is pretty good for a vehicle that weighs 4300 lbs dry weight and has all the aerodynamic advantages of a cinder block. And I know you can tow it 4-down just putting the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park.

On the other hand, it has been less than reliable.

Do as @ChooChooMan says, and check out the Lost forum. Timing belt every 100,000 miles is not optional, and in fact, if the one you are considering has not had the timing belt done, it should be done anyway due simply to age. It is rubber, and is now 10 years old.

As for it being "no rocket ship," I beg to differ. It certainly isn't as quick as my BMW X5 diesel, which will go 0-60 in less than 7 seconds. But it is no slouch, either. One thing I will caution you about is that it suffers from a serious turbo lag. If you have it in "full-time 4 wheel drive," aka AWD, and you stomp on the go pedal to get away from a traffic light, it will roll listlessly for about 30 feet, then smoke all 4 wheels. This becomes an issue if, for example, you have it in 2 wheel drive and pull out into traffic in front of an oncoming truck. Stomp on the go pedal, nothing happens, nothing happens, nothing happens, then BAM, kick in the seat of the pants as the rears scream and the back end tries to slide around to the side and precede you down the road. I've been driving it long enough to have learned how to gauge the throttle lag and rarely get surprised, but there will be a bit of a learning curve there.

I, too, highly recommend the Green Diesel EcoTune. I put Jeep's heftier Euro torque converter in when mine started to slip. Both the factory thermostat and the mechanical fan clutch are junk, but other than loss of mileage, will not afflict you unless you tow with it.

[mowermech]

I had an '06 Liberty CRD. I had no trouble with it at all, but there just wasn't enough room behind the rear seats for us, and the engine has a funny exhaust note.
I sold it.
It had 15 miles on it when we got it (most of them my test drive), and 30K or so when I sold it.
IMO, it was a great little vehicle, but our PT Cruiser Convertible has just as much if not more cargo room!

[ChooChooMan74]

I would suggest that you head over to LostJeeps.com and read the Noob Guide and join the FaceBook page first. I own a CRD. I LOVE IT. But, she is a temperamental B****. If you can get it for a good price, and you are willing for some TLC and Investment into her, I would buy it. I just pushed mine towing my HTT 3500 miles in less than 3 weeks. BUT, I got her used, the previous owner didn't take care of her, and I had a lot of repairs to make soon after I got her.

If you do get her
1) TIMING BELT! 100K Mile service (But, they are 10 years old, and should be done on low mileage vehicles).
2) Green Diesel Tune.
3) USE GOOD OIL!!! A good diesel 5W40 like Amsoil European Full SAPS.
4) Get an aftermarket thermostat housing. Bad thermostats are notorious. This affects 5+MPG in fuel economy when it runs too cold. (That is the only mod I have not done, but doing it soon. I currently use an in hose thermostat, and recommend that as a cheap alternate fix)

Other possible issues.
Original CAC Hoses were junk. Jeep has updated ones and there are aftermarket.
Original Torque Converter was junk. I replaced mine with a quality Billet Diesel one.
Due to people using bad oil and EGR use(Green Diesel Tune Cures This), this caused some to have rocker issues (I had to replace all mine when I got it)

I know this could probably scare you from getting her, but I want to let you know of WORST CASE SCENARIO. I would get a 2nd one in a heartbeat.

[klutchdust]

Nope, I am waiting for the Wrangler diesel to come out, this year end they predict. Mileage? They say 22 to 27 on that liberty, cool vehicle, at the

right price and all service records it may be a nice find.