Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Reports that Diesel power is up in favor from 301,000 in the tear 2000 to 543,000 in 2005 
Tech: Chevy Duramax Engine Update
A year later, the verdict on the Chevy Duramax diesel engine is in.
By Alex Steele
Truck Trend, November 2005
In the September/October 2004 issue, we responded to a reader's question regarding the catastrophic mechanical failure of a 6. 6-liter Duramax diesel engine in a 2002 Chevy truck. He was looking for advice on dealing with General Motors' refusal to replace the irreparable engine after an extensive valvetrain breakdown, which was technically covered under the vehicle's powertrain warranty. GM's zone service representative disputed the claim under the assumption that a recently installed Gale Banks Engineering exhaust brake assembly was the cause. An exhaust brake, used to amplify engine braking on a diesel engine, does have the potential for producing excessive backpressure, which can cause valve float and lead to valve-to-piston contact.
In that issue of Truck Trend, we left off with GM's claim that the exhaust brake did the damage and Gale Banks Engineering representatives stating it was an unrelated internal engine defect. Meanwhile, the owner reluctantly paid $21,885 to replace the entire engine, along with a $3500 core charge to retain the damaged goods as evidence. He then obtained legal representation, refusing a $10,000 offer from GM.
A year later, the verdict is in. All parties finally arrived at the mediation table, where the complainant produced an engineer's report on the failed engine. The report implied that metal fatigue in a valve stem, possibly due to a bad batch of materials, caused the valve stem to break, which initiated a chain reaction of damage in multiple cylinders. While Gale Banks Engineering was satisfied with this, GM's legal representatives, claiming they were unprepared, left the table and later notified the owner they would schedule time for their own engineer to inspect the engine. GM specialists never followed through with the inspection, but did discuss the failure with the engineer who delivered the report on behalf of the owner. Shortly thereafter, and without claiming responsibility, GM offered the owner a check for $67,857. This included buying back the truck at the original price (minus a $12K usage fee for three and a half years owned), parts, and labor for the replacement engine and all legal fees rendered. Gale Banks Engineering also remitted $3750. The former Chevy driver accepted the agreement, which put him back on the road in a Dodge Ram with a Cummins diesel, minus the exhaust brake.
Bigger news still is the new 2007 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Oo.
All New Diesel-Powered 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel SUV
Chrysler Group announces first full-size diesel-powered SUV in U. S.
June 09, 2006
Chrysler Group announced its plans to produce the first diesel-powered, full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee with a 3. 0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007. "DaimlerChrysler is a leader in automotive diesel applications in Europe, and it makes sense to continue to build on that experience by offering a modern, clean diesel for the U. S. market," said Craig Love, Vice President -- Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. "The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer consumers increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and driving range. "
The new 3. 0-liter CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb. -ft. torque (510 N•m) @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 lbs. ), and class-leading driving range of approximately 425 miles. And, clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The 3. 0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Limited and Overland models.
“The 3. 0-liter CRD is an efficient, smooth-running, clean engine that delivers fuel economy and performance,” said Bob Lee, Vice President -- Power Train Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Advanced diesel technology has improved over the last several years; engines are quieter and cleaner due to electronic controls, higher fuel pressures and advanced after-treatment systems. ”
Chrysler Group was the first automotive manufacturer in the United States to offer a mid-size, diesel-powered SUV, the 2005 Jeep Liberty with a 2. 8-liter CRD engine. Based on consumer response, the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty exceeded the company’s expectations. More than 11,000 diesel-powered Jeep Liberty vehicles have been sold since production began. The Jeep Liberty diesel continues to be a strong seller, as consumers realize the benefits of diesel technology.
The Jeep brand also announced earlier in the year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4. 7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group’s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.
More than 60 percent of Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel-powered. Between 2003 and 2007, Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).
The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The 3. 0-liter CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany.
Tech: Chevy Duramax Engine Update
A year later, the verdict on the Chevy Duramax diesel engine is in.
By Alex Steele
Truck Trend, November 2005
In the September/October 2004 issue, we responded to a reader's question regarding the catastrophic mechanical failure of a 6. 6-liter Duramax diesel engine in a 2002 Chevy truck. He was looking for advice on dealing with General Motors' refusal to replace the irreparable engine after an extensive valvetrain breakdown, which was technically covered under the vehicle's powertrain warranty. GM's zone service representative disputed the claim under the assumption that a recently installed Gale Banks Engineering exhaust brake assembly was the cause. An exhaust brake, used to amplify engine braking on a diesel engine, does have the potential for producing excessive backpressure, which can cause valve float and lead to valve-to-piston contact.
In that issue of Truck Trend, we left off with GM's claim that the exhaust brake did the damage and Gale Banks Engineering representatives stating it was an unrelated internal engine defect. Meanwhile, the owner reluctantly paid $21,885 to replace the entire engine, along with a $3500 core charge to retain the damaged goods as evidence. He then obtained legal representation, refusing a $10,000 offer from GM.
A year later, the verdict is in. All parties finally arrived at the mediation table, where the complainant produced an engineer's report on the failed engine. The report implied that metal fatigue in a valve stem, possibly due to a bad batch of materials, caused the valve stem to break, which initiated a chain reaction of damage in multiple cylinders. While Gale Banks Engineering was satisfied with this, GM's legal representatives, claiming they were unprepared, left the table and later notified the owner they would schedule time for their own engineer to inspect the engine. GM specialists never followed through with the inspection, but did discuss the failure with the engineer who delivered the report on behalf of the owner. Shortly thereafter, and without claiming responsibility, GM offered the owner a check for $67,857. This included buying back the truck at the original price (minus a $12K usage fee for three and a half years owned), parts, and labor for the replacement engine and all legal fees rendered. Gale Banks Engineering also remitted $3750. The former Chevy driver accepted the agreement, which put him back on the road in a Dodge Ram with a Cummins diesel, minus the exhaust brake.
Bigger news still is the new 2007 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Oo.
All New Diesel-Powered 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel SUV
Chrysler Group announces first full-size diesel-powered SUV in U. S.
June 09, 2006
Chrysler Group announced its plans to produce the first diesel-powered, full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee with a 3. 0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007. "DaimlerChrysler is a leader in automotive diesel applications in Europe, and it makes sense to continue to build on that experience by offering a modern, clean diesel for the U. S. market," said Craig Love, Vice President -- Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. "The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer consumers increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and driving range. "
The new 3. 0-liter CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb. -ft. torque (510 N•m) @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 lbs. ), and class-leading driving range of approximately 425 miles. And, clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The 3. 0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Limited and Overland models.
“The 3. 0-liter CRD is an efficient, smooth-running, clean engine that delivers fuel economy and performance,” said Bob Lee, Vice President -- Power Train Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Advanced diesel technology has improved over the last several years; engines are quieter and cleaner due to electronic controls, higher fuel pressures and advanced after-treatment systems. ”
Chrysler Group was the first automotive manufacturer in the United States to offer a mid-size, diesel-powered SUV, the 2005 Jeep Liberty with a 2. 8-liter CRD engine. Based on consumer response, the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty exceeded the company’s expectations. More than 11,000 diesel-powered Jeep Liberty vehicles have been sold since production began. The Jeep Liberty diesel continues to be a strong seller, as consumers realize the benefits of diesel technology.
The Jeep brand also announced earlier in the year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4. 7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group’s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.
More than 60 percent of Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel-powered. Between 2003 and 2007, Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).
The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The 3. 0-liter CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany.
