Problem with Jeep - PH help needed please
Discussion
Hi All,
Wondering if the world of pistonheads can help me with a problem.
My parents have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.7 CRD (The one with the Merc 5 cylinder engine).
It’s had a problem lately of it being down on power and throwing out loads of thick black smoke and surging in-between 30 and 40mph.
A few months ago injector 4 & 5 was leaking, so we had these resealed at a 4x4 specialist and the car was running fine until now.
We took it over to the Jeep/Merc dealer in Wolverhampton, they had it in for a few days and indentified a sticky EGR valve as the problem and fitted a new one at a cost of £320 odd.
However, on the way back home it was clear this had not fixed the problem, as it was just as bad as ever. On phoning the dealer they told us that it was fine when they had taken it out on a few test drives, but to take the car back and they would have another look at it.
So it’s currently been back at the dealer for two days now. My parents have called them each day to see if there is any news. They say the injectors are fine, and they can’t seem to find the problem. It really sounds like they don't have a clue.
I should point out that the engine management light isn't on, and there isn't any fault codes stored by the ECU. It’s just running like a bag of s
t.
So I’m wondering where we go from here? My parents are minus a car they need, have paid £320 odd for the replacement of a sticky EGR valve, and they won’t refund us for that, as they have said they have actually replaced a faulty part as it was sticking, even though this faulty part hasn't actually fixed the original problem, they still have our car, and don't sound like they have a clue what’s wrong with it.
My parents thought about taking it to a few local garages, or getting a Haynes, but surely if a main dealer can't find the problem with all their diagnostic equipment, then a backstreet garage won’t really be able to help either. Truth be told, the main dealer has probably parked the car up in the corner, and not bothered touching it since.
Any advice on what to do next from the PH masses is appreciated, as it’s very frustrating, and we don’t really know where to go from here!
Thanks
Jimbo
Wondering if the world of pistonheads can help me with a problem.
My parents have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.7 CRD (The one with the Merc 5 cylinder engine).
It’s had a problem lately of it being down on power and throwing out loads of thick black smoke and surging in-between 30 and 40mph.
A few months ago injector 4 & 5 was leaking, so we had these resealed at a 4x4 specialist and the car was running fine until now.
We took it over to the Jeep/Merc dealer in Wolverhampton, they had it in for a few days and indentified a sticky EGR valve as the problem and fitted a new one at a cost of £320 odd.
However, on the way back home it was clear this had not fixed the problem, as it was just as bad as ever. On phoning the dealer they told us that it was fine when they had taken it out on a few test drives, but to take the car back and they would have another look at it.
So it’s currently been back at the dealer for two days now. My parents have called them each day to see if there is any news. They say the injectors are fine, and they can’t seem to find the problem. It really sounds like they don't have a clue.
I should point out that the engine management light isn't on, and there isn't any fault codes stored by the ECU. It’s just running like a bag of s
t.So I’m wondering where we go from here? My parents are minus a car they need, have paid £320 odd for the replacement of a sticky EGR valve, and they won’t refund us for that, as they have said they have actually replaced a faulty part as it was sticking, even though this faulty part hasn't actually fixed the original problem, they still have our car, and don't sound like they have a clue what’s wrong with it.
My parents thought about taking it to a few local garages, or getting a Haynes, but surely if a main dealer can't find the problem with all their diagnostic equipment, then a backstreet garage won’t really be able to help either. Truth be told, the main dealer has probably parked the car up in the corner, and not bothered touching it since.
Any advice on what to do next from the PH masses is appreciated, as it’s very frustrating, and we don’t really know where to go from here!
Thanks
Jimbo
Register with www.jeepforum.com , they should point you in the right direction of the fault 
I don't bother with dealers anymore as unless the computer tells them the answer when plugged into the OBD, many 'mechanics' will not know how to diagnose the fault.
I don't bother with dealers anymore as unless the computer tells them the answer when plugged into the OBD, many 'mechanics' will not know how to diagnose the fault.blaineuk said:
Sounds like a boost hose has split.
Thats what I've been thinking with regard to the hoses. Especially since we had the same problem on a Mondeo TCDI last year, that was juddering and smoking, and RAC came out, replaced the intercooler hose or something, and it was fine after that. I even told the service chap the first time we took it in that it might be a boost hose, but surely if it was something that simple, the "mechanics" would of picked it up by now.The lack of fault codes on the ECU point to it being something like that too, because surely if it was injectors or something fuel related, it would throw up some codes?
Will phone them again tomorrow and get them to check all the boost hoses.
Not sure about odd noises when accelerating, because when i took it out for a spin, it wasn't "shuddering" but there was plenty of black smoke, but i think its just down on power. No tuning boxes or mods fitted. its totally standard.
yardman said:
Had a similar fault with a V6 diesel Saab once - turned out to be the air filter. Didn't look particularly old or clogged, but once replaced the engine ran fine and power was restored.
Never thought of that to be honest. Could be another thing to consider, especially as it probably would not hurt to be changed, and it would cost a tenner max!! Thanks all, Keep the suggestions coming. I'll show my parents this thread at the weekend. It might give them some idea's to suggest to the useless dealer!
James_N said:
Thanks registered on there too.
It is true with dealers nowadays, if computer comes up with a blank, the dealers just sit around scratching their heads as they don't know what to do next! Bloody useless
Thats not true. i work for a dealer and it really shows how little custmers know and how hard it can be to diagnose a fault on cars. the computer is there as a guide only registered on there too.It is true with dealers nowadays, if computer comes up with a blank, the dealers just sit around scratching their heads as they don't know what to do next! Bloody useless
fastcars_hardy said:
Thats not true. i work for a dealer and it really shows how little custmers know and how hard it can be to diagnose a fault on cars. the computer is there as a guide only
You must work for a decent one then Honda have been totally useless and know nothing (2 Honda dealers quoted me for a cambelt change on an S2000, amongst lots of other problems encountered on Type R's which the main dealers were useless with) and now Jeep / Merc too.I guess with everything, you get good and bad ones. I've obviously just encountered crap ones!
I now need to call upon Pistonheaders advice again if I may please. This is a bloody nightmare.
To update, my parents left the Jeep at a main dealer for more investigation. They phoned us to say it was the Injectors at fault. My parents bought 4 reconditioned injectors from Jeepspares4u and dropped them off at the dealer for them (the dealer said they didn't do recon injectors and a new set would be £1k+!). Injector 5 has already been sorted, so only 4 were needed.
Jeep have now rang us again to say they have fitted the injectors and it hasn't cured the problem, and it is likely to be a problem with the Cylinder head and the engine is looking pretty knackered!
The garage have had the car for a good 4 weeks now. We have had a new EGR valve on the car for £320, 4 new injectors fitted at a cost of £800 odd and the car is still in the same state as it was when we took it in originally.
So the total bill so far is just over £1,100 and the dealer still has no idea whats wrong! Does anyone know where we stand now? My parents can't afford to shell out any more money on the car, the dealer has not fixed the problem, despite telling us each time it is a different problem to what it actually is, and then charging us a fortune to fix what does not need fixing!
We are in a bit of a fix and I would appriciate some of the PH advice!
Cheers
James
To update, my parents left the Jeep at a main dealer for more investigation. They phoned us to say it was the Injectors at fault. My parents bought 4 reconditioned injectors from Jeepspares4u and dropped them off at the dealer for them (the dealer said they didn't do recon injectors and a new set would be £1k+!). Injector 5 has already been sorted, so only 4 were needed.
Jeep have now rang us again to say they have fitted the injectors and it hasn't cured the problem, and it is likely to be a problem with the Cylinder head and the engine is looking pretty knackered!
The garage have had the car for a good 4 weeks now. We have had a new EGR valve on the car for £320, 4 new injectors fitted at a cost of £800 odd and the car is still in the same state as it was when we took it in originally.
So the total bill so far is just over £1,100 and the dealer still has no idea whats wrong! Does anyone know where we stand now? My parents can't afford to shell out any more money on the car, the dealer has not fixed the problem, despite telling us each time it is a different problem to what it actually is, and then charging us a fortune to fix what does not need fixing!
We are in a bit of a fix and I would appriciate some of the PH advice!
Cheers
James
frosted said:
Just trade it in for something else, possibly petrol
We surely wouldn't get any trade in value for it? as its chugging along, losing power and still throwing black smoke out. Even if we could trade it in, we have no money to put towards anything else!Thanks for the suggestion though
It's not the MAF sensor or something like that? A split boost hose would be another suggestion that's already been mentioned.
Maybe find someone with a OBD reader who could plug it in when you take it out?
I'd also try posting on Mercedes forums as the problem is with the Merc engine. I've done that in the past and they've been more than helpful.
My other half has pretty much the identical car, so let me know if I can be of any more help.
Maybe find someone with a OBD reader who could plug it in when you take it out?
I'd also try posting on Mercedes forums as the problem is with the Merc engine. I've done that in the past and they've been more than helpful.
My other half has pretty much the identical car, so let me know if I can be of any more help.
This is what really bloody ticks me off about main dealers. Bunch of bloody idiots! If it was me I would cause bloody hell telling each customer who came in about how st these people are and wanting a full refund. You pay for them to diagnose and fix a problem including parts n labour. If they don't diagnose it correctly ITS A HIT FOR THEM TO TAKE. why have we adopted a culture in this country that if a mechanic fks up we pay the price for it.
Get the dealer principal and ceo of brand involved and cause hell. If u need ceo email address pm me.
t these people are and wanting a full refund. You pay for them to diagnose and fix a problem including parts n labour. If they don't diagnose it correctly ITS A HIT FOR THEM TO TAKE. why have we adopted a culture in this country that if a mechanic fks up we pay the price for it.Get the dealer principal and ceo of brand involved and cause hell. If u need ceo email address pm me.
Tophatron said:
It's not the MAF sensor or something like that? A split boost hose would be another suggestion that's already been mentioned.
Maybe find someone with a OBD reader who could plug it in when you take it out?
I'd also try posting on Mercedes forums as the problem is with the Merc engine. I've done that in the past and they've been more than helpful.
My other half has pretty much the identical car, so let me know if I can be of any more help.
OBD is pointless as there is no fault codes logged. Dealer is adamant its not a split boost hose as thats the first thing I suggested, but thanks Maybe find someone with a OBD reader who could plug it in when you take it out?
I'd also try posting on Mercedes forums as the problem is with the Merc engine. I've done that in the past and they've been more than helpful.
My other half has pretty much the identical car, so let me know if I can be of any more help.
James_N said:
OBD is pointless as there is no fault codes logged. Dealer is adamant its not a split boost hose as thats the first thing I suggested, but thanks
OBDs are handy not just for fault codes, you can access live information on the vehicle while its running - boost pressure, airflow reading etc etc. It might be possible to see what's happening when the engine starts screwing up.Did the dealership check/change the MAF sensor?
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