Jeep Wrangler JL/JT EcoDiesel discussion; 2nd Gen engine with fixes?

[Jay5.9L]

Helps that the gladiator is bigger and heavier than the wrangler

 

[Greg]

Watched this a few weeks back. Seems like a pretty quick Jeep.

That's pretty crazy IMO, the Gladiator is pretty damn quick as is. Pretty obvious that the torque makes a lot of difference. I wonder how far they raced? Not that it matters, the point was made.... but if it were a 1/8 mile that wasn't a HUGE gap.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Have you guys seen the massive EGR cooler recall that is coming out right nowish? The valving inside is sticking which is dumping high temp exhaust gas into the intake manifold causing them to melt and in more and more cases is starting fires. I don't think it's officially a recall yet. Sounds like mid December. I'm not sure if the JL will be included. I do know that right now FCA doesn't have a fix so that either means they can't make the Gen 3 EGRs work on the older stuff or the Gen 3 uses the same EGR and will need to be replaced as well.

My original EGR failed a year ago and I believe the replacement is now leaking as well. These trucks are turning into a nightmare for a lot of owners. I hear resale is either dropping off the charts, or now a lot of places wont even trade them in do to the recall with no fix in sight yet. On top of that, the AEM emission retune that most are getting done is killing drivability. I got my AEM done and then purchased an aftermarket tune to fix what they messed up. That tuner, GDE, just got shut down by the EPA so those tunes are no longer available.

As much as I still love my truck (only thanks to GDE) no way would I buy another Ecodiesel, at least until this new Gen 3 becomes proven. The Gen 2 was said to be the fix for all the Gen 1 issues, but that proved false, for the most part.

Just to update this a bit more. We've now learned the Gen 3 uses TWO separate EGR's instead of one like the Gen 1 & 2 uses. So they cannot be used to fix the older trucks. FCA is still working on the replacement for the recall. Seems just about every day a new report comes out of a truck burning to the ground. There are many, many trucks sitting in dealer lots waiting for the repairs as the dealers ground them. Many owners have started the buyback process and FCA isn't playing nice about it. What's worse is this recall is killing the value of these trucks and when FCA does do a buyback it's at the current market value. Dealers cannot sale a vehicle with an open recall, so no one wants to take them on trade knowing they can't turn right around and sell it. What's worse then that is when a truck does burn to the ground FCA makes it an insurance issue and not their issue at all. So it is in FCA's best interest for them all to burn to the ground. Maybe that's why they are dragging their feet so much.

I had mentioned I thought my replacement EGR was failing. Well I took the truck in back in December to get in line for a seemingly non existent replacement EGR or maybe even a new one. Instead they told me my water pump was leaking so they replaced it. As I expected, I'm still loosing coolant. They're doing whatever they can to keep trucks from piling up on their lots.

 

[gijohn40]

Just to update this a bit more. We've now learned the Gen 3 uses TWO separate EGR's instead of one like the Gen 1 & 2 uses. So they cannot be used to fix the older trucks. FCA is still working on the replacement for the recall. Seems just about every day a new report comes out of a truck burning to the ground. There are many, many trucks sitting in dealer lots waiting for the repairs as the dealers ground them. Many owners have started the buyback process and FCA isn't playing nice about it. What's worse is this recall is killing the value of these trucks and when FCA does do a buyback it's at the current market value. Dealers cannot sale a vehicle with an open recall, so no one wants to take them on trade knowing they can't turn right around and sell it. What's worse then that is when a truck does burn to the ground FCA makes it an insurance issue and not their issue at all. So it is in FCA's best interest for them all to burn to the ground. Maybe that's why they are dragging their feet so much.

I had mentioned I thought my replacement EGR was failing. Well I took the truck in back in December to get in line for a seemingly non existent replacement EGR or maybe even a new one. Instead they told me my water pump was leaking so they replaced it. As I expected, I'm still loosing coolant. They're doing whatever they can to keep trucks from piling up on their lots.

Any further news on this? I just put money down on a diesel JLUR......

 

[Greg]

Any further news on this? I just put money down on a diesel JLUR......

Congratulations, John!

 

[gijohn40]

they must have figured out a work around if they can't sell one with an open recall... I decided on the diesel due to most the wheeling I do I tow my trailer down there to stay in. also my drive to work is from Layton to Evanston (75miles one way) and figured if I got 25-27 mpg that wouldn't be that bad....

 

[Greg]

they must have figured out a work around if they can't sell one with an open recall... I decided on the diesel due to most the wheeling I do I tow my trailer down there to stay in. also my drive to work is from Layton to Evanston (75miles one way) and figured if I got 25-27 mpg that wouldn't be that bad....

I'm closely watching the vehicles that come with the EcoDiesel for reliability, they're fun to drive! The fuel economy is killer, would be nice for offroad adventures and towing. A Gladiator with the latest ED would be killer.

 

[gijohn40]

I will probably keep it simple so as to not void the warranty...

 

[UNSTUCK]

I actually haven’t really been keeping up with the ecodiesel news lately. In the end they are either totally great or a dud. I just rolled 80k on mine and overall am very pleased with it. And for the first time in YEARS diesel prices are lower than gas prices so that is nice. Hope it will stay like that.

 

[RockChucker]

I’ve been toying with the idea of an ecodiesel grand Cherokee for the wife. In the end I think we’ll end up with a pentastar though. Fuel economy isn’t terribly different and the eco diesels are $6-8k more from what I’m seeing. And with all the issues the ecodiesels have, it seems it might be a safer alternative to go with the gasser. I’ll probably still drive one though...

 

[Greg]

I’ve been toying with the idea of an ecodiesel grand Cherokee for the wife. In the end I think we’ll end up with a pentastar though. Fuel economy isn’t terribly different and the eco diesels are $6-8k more from what I’m seeing. And with all the issues the ecodiesels have, it seems it might be a safer alternative to go with the gasser. I’ll probably still drive one though...

The EcoDiesel is kind of strange to drive, its hard to explain but its very different from a gas engine. The ED Ram Rebel I drove a few months ago was fun, but different. The way it puts power to the ground isn't like a gas engine.

 

[RockChucker]

The EcoDiesel is kind of strange to drive, its hard to explain but its very different from a gas engine. The ED Ram Rebel I drove a few months ago was fun, but different. The way it puts power to the ground isn't like a gas engine.

I’ve never driven one, but I imagine it is not much different than driving a normal diesel pickup. Turbo lag to deal with and all that. The 8hp trans probably helps a bunch.

 

[Greg]

I’ve never driven one, but I imagine it is not much different than driving a normal diesel pickup. Turbo lag to deal with and all that. The 8hp trans probably helps a bunch.

IMO, its pretty different that any other turbo diesel. There's a little boost lag off the line, but once it spools up and starts shifting thru the gears, its constantly in its peak torque. And I agree, the 8HP has everything to do with that!

 

[UNSTUCK]

I’m not sure there is a better half ton transmission. In fact, I haven’t heard of a failure. I’m sure there have been....

my truck is tuned with GDE engine and transmission tunes. It runs much better than it did from original. Then the new EPA mandated tube KILLED the original tune. So I’m sitting way better off than what I could have. Sounds like the engine is much better for 2020 though.

 

[DAA]

Love the 8 speeds in my '13 Ram 1500 and my wife's '19 JLU 2.0.

- DAA

 

[gijohn40]

supposedly the 8sp in the 2.0/3.6 and the 8sp in the diesel are two different gear boxes... they have different order numbers and the 2.0/3.6 costs more.

 

[Greg]

supposedly the 8sp in the 2.0/3.6 and the 8sp in the diesel are two different gear boxes... they have different order numbers and the 2.0/3.6 costs more.

Its probably a beefed up version to handle the higher torque numbers. Probably the same 8HP in the Dodge Ram EcoDiesel.

 

[RockChucker]

Its probably a beefed up version to handle the higher torque numbers. Probably the same 8HP in the Dodge Ram EcoDiesel.

Right. I think they’ve made some internal upgrades. 8hp70 to an 8hp75...

 

[N-Smooth]

I’m not sure there is a better half ton transmission. In fact, I haven’t heard of a failure. I’m sure there have been....

My buddy just told me the other day that the trans in his Ram1500 tried to commit suicide. Apparently there's a thermostat of sorts for the ATF and it was malfunctioning so his trans temps were skyrocketing. It all sounded crazy to me but he also happens to be a mechanic so I'd say it's legit. He also said the dealership said it was common

I have the ol' 6 spd in my Ram so I was unaware.

 

[UNSTUCK]

It’s called the three way valve. It’s primarily used to bring the ATF up to temperature, not So much to cool it. The max temp my atf has ever been is 209. Not hot. That’s flogging the truck up the big I15 hills towards St George in 100 degree heat pulling 8600 pounds of boat. Anyways, failure of the three way valve is Definitely heard of, if not common. I would not at all call it part of the transmission though. So his transmission didn’t fail but an outside part may have which could cause the trans to fail.