Did Jeep fix the 3.0CRD turbo/swirl-motor oil leak?

[boritz]

I posted this in my thread re-WH CRD reliability http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...1&postcount=13 but think that it deserves its own thread.

Question is: Was the [WH Merc] 3.0CRD swirl-motor oil contamination problem resolved by Jeep in a particular model year? Or, is it still a potential threat on all CRD models?

Cheers.

[pmac]

That question is like asking "how long is a piece of string". Basically, the swirl motor issue would have been resolved I'd expect with the WK2, as it has a different motor, with the WK2 moving to a Fiat power plant as opposed to the WH's Merc motor.

But as your question relates to the WH (WK in US), there are several responses.

Firstly, the early WH's had an orange seal at the Turbo inlet, and this was subsequently changed to the Black Seal. The black seal is meant to not leak, but that is not always the case either - just an improvement. What year, I don't know.

But saying that, there are some who say that it's not the oil leaking that causes the swirl motor failure. It's the oil in the gasses that goes through the swirl motor that causes the problem. Some say the only way to be certain is a Provent catch can. Others use an elephant hose.

Personally, I have no idea. It's just what I have read around the traps over the years. I did make sure I got the new black seal though.

Hope this helps, although sadly I know it doesn't.

[boritz]

Thanks pmac, every bit of info helps

You are correct about the recent engine change. I should have been more specific in stating that I am asking about the Oz WH Merc 3.0 CRD.

I was hoping for something like "yes, they changed [something] on the MYyyyy CRD that fixed the problem"

Cheers.

edit: thinking on it, perhaps changing to the Fiat motor was Jeep's solution

[hills46]

The ultimate fix was a new turbo inlet pipe however I have no idea if this became standard from a particular build date. Mine was delivered in Feb 2008 with the orignal seal, changed to the new (black) seal at 10,000km, and changed to the revised inlet pipe at 180,000km and has never had a hint of contamination.

While the swirl motor has been an issue for many, bear in mind that people often come to these forums because they've had problems. There are likely many others who've never had a problem and as a result you don't hear from them. i.e. I don't personally believe that a swirl motor failure is inevitable.

Originally Posted by boritz

Thanks pmac, every bit of info helps

You are correct about the recent engine change. I should have been more specific in stating that I am asking about the Oz WH Merc 3.0 CRD.

I was hoping for something like "yes, they changed [something] on the MYyyyy CRD that fixed the problem"

Cheers.

edit: thinking on it, perhaps changing to the Fiat motor was Jeep's solution

[dblaj]

All I can add is that the revised inlet piping was still needed on the mid 2009 build WH.

[boritz]

hills46 - thank you for your detailed and informative post

Originally Posted by hills46

...There are likely many others who've never had a problem and as a result you don't hear from them. i.e. I don't personally believe that a swirl motor failure is inevitable.

That's very encouraging - I really am trying to convince myself to take the plunge

[boritz]

dblaj - thank you too - good info .

Originally Posted by dblaj

All I can add is that the revised inlet piping was still needed on the mid 2009 build WH.