Would you buy the diesel if no local dealers were familiar with them?

[JeepRage]

My question is, if your local dealerships had experience with only one diesel order since introduction, nothing to test drive, unfamiliar on fixing them... Would you order?

Both of my local options to buy, and more importantly service, don't typically order diesels. I worry potential repairs will be a nightmare. I can order from them, but test driving isn't an option.

Little context, I've had a diesel VW and it was perfect as a commuter. We have a boat I tow around town a few times a year and 1.5 hours each way maybe once a year. A lot of around town trips and no current daily commute. Probably not ideal for the diesel.

I say I want to keep the Jeep a while post warranty as a 3rd vehicle, but don't have a great track record on longer term ownership. Will not go over 35s and Mojave, or minimal spacer lift on other model to clear 35s as needed.

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[Mr._Bill]

No.

 

[NachoRuby]

Will not go over 35s and Mojave, or minimal spacer lift on other model to clear 35s as needed.

If you're looking for a Mojave, you can't get a diesel, gas only. The dealership has only sold 1 3.0 ecodiesel, including Rams and Wranglers too?

 

[Mac]

From what I have read here it doesn't seem any dealers are that familiar with the diesel and how to fix them, repairs are generally a nightmare diesel or gas. If you want the diesel get it.

 

[JeepRage]

Yes, if I go gas I'll stick to Mojave, Rubicon probably if diesel, though I don't need or want the extra low 4low. Other plus of gas is full time 4wd option.

I don't agree that dealers can't fix the 3.6. That engine is old as dirt now, very common, and proven to be pretty reliable. We've had 4 of them between JKUs and WK2s, never had an issue. Complexity and rarity of the diesel here give me concern. Of the 20 Gladiators I see daily, haven't seen a diesel yet.

 

[Mac]

Yes, if I go gas I'll stick to Mojave, Rubicon probably if diesel, though I don't need or want the extra low 4low. Other plus of gas is full time 4wd option.

I don't agree that dealers can't fix the 3.6. That engine is old as dirt now, very common, and proven to be pretty reliable. We've had 4 of them between JKUs and WK2s, never had an issue. Complexity and rarity of the diesel here give me concern. Of the 20 Gladiators I see daily, haven't seen a diesel yet.

I wasn't referring to the reliability of the 3.6, I have owned several as well, but read through some of the problems people have had with the JT with the 3.6 around electrical issues related to the dual battery setup that take a lot of time and aggravation to resolve .

 

[Jefe1018]

Just my 2 cents, dealerships are so expensive because they have a lot of overhead, including access to factory training. Mopar warranties diesel motors through these authorized repair centers. At this moment, the biggest hurdle isn’t lack of diagnosis but rather supply chain (parts specifically).

Correct me if I’m wrong, but are there any mystery issues with the diesel? I know the 3.6 gasser has had some electrical and misfiring issues that are hard to hunt down, but have there been any with the diesel? Injection and fuel pump, batteries, derating, etc. I have seen, but nothing that a shop couldn’t diagnose.

Anyways, I guess that’s a long winded “If you have an authorized repair center close, you should be fine outside of maybe getting parts, which is happening everywhere now.”

 

[Tacos]

I did... I have 14,000 on it and have not had a single issue at all!! I love my JTRD. Would never go back to the gasoline powered jeep

 

[JeepRage]

Just my 2 cents, dealerships are so expensive because they have a lot of overhead, including access to factory training. Mopar warranties diesel motors through these authorized repair centers. At this moment, the biggest hurdle isn’t lack of diagnosis but rather supply chain (parts specifically).

Correct me if I’m wrong, but are there any mystery issues with the diesel? I know the 3.6 gasser has had some electrical and misfiring issues that are hard to hunt down, but have there been any with the diesel? Injection and fuel pump, batteries, derating, etc. I have seen, but nothing that a shop couldn’t diagnose.

Anyways, I guess that’s a long winded “If you have an authorized repair center close, you should be fine outside of maybe getting parts, which is happening everywhere now.”

Misc leaks, depowering/running hot issues. I don't love the idea of a dealer that sees no diesels doing service, repairing leaks, or anything else model specific. They are pretty complex engines.

 

[Trickster]

Analogy time……if you needed heart surgery would you go to a doctor that had never done it before??

 

[Dakota Kid]

If your dealer is a Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge dealer, their mechanics are doing plenty of work on diesels via the Dodge vehicles.

My local Jeep dealer didn’t have any diesel powered Gladiators in stock when I was test driving and sells few of them…. But has 3 diesel mechanics on staff it turns out. Due to the Dodge pickups having them from 1/2 ton up now.

You should be fine. And as posted previously, they’ll have access to all their questions and training as needed internally are authorized dealers.

If you’ve driven the 3.0 eco diesel, that smile it put on your face will never be the same if you get into a gasser…. Night and day comparison when using your right foot?.

 

[JeepRage]

If your dealer is a Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge dealer, their mechanics are doing plenty of work on diesels via the Dodge vehicles.

My local Jeep dealer didn’t have any diesel powered Gladiators in stock when I was test driving and sells few of them…. But has 3 diesel mechanics on staff it turns out. Due to the Dodge pickups having them from 1/2 ton up now.

You should be fine. And as posted previously, they’ll have access to all their questions and training as needed internally are authorized dealers.

If you’ve driven the 3.0 eco diesel, that smile it put on your face will never be the same if you get into a gasser…. Night and day comparison when using your right foot?.

Neither dealer is a Dodge shop. One has ordered one diesel, hasn't been asked for another since. Piece of mind, Mojave package, and fact I drive 7k miles mostly around town a year is making me lean towards the 3.6. It is "fine" but nothing more.

Also no diesel gas stations in my town that I'm aware of.

 

[Dakota Kid]

Neither dealer is a Dodge shop. One has ordered one diesel, hasn't been asked for another since. Piece of mind, Mojave package, and fact I drive 7k miles mostly around town a year is making me lean towards the 3.6. It is "fine" but nothing more.

Also no diesel gas stations in my town that I'm aware of.

Biggest issue immediately would be no diesel pumps?.

Has the dealership told you that they have no mechanics on staff familiar with diesels, or is it a salesperson who knows they’re hard to source telling you to stay away? As a former car salesman for a short time, I can tell you that the sales department wants to only sell what’s on the lot or in transit to them first and foremost…anything else will be met with mild to outright pushback.

As for fuel, is there no Cenex or other Ag related station around? The eco diesel comes with factory funnel to be able to use the larger diameter pumps at truck stops/Ag stations if needed (not ideal, but works).

I’d It looks tough on your end if you can’t fuel up, the mech issue is moot at that point.

 

[Jefe1018]

Misc leaks, depowering/running hot issues. I don't love the idea of a dealer that sees no diesels doing service, repairing leaks, or anything else model specific. They are pretty complex engines.

Derating and heat issues are there to protect your from breaking the engine via overheating and over working - this is the limitation of the confined spaced in the JTs engine bay - however, once everything returns to normal operating temperature your truck should run just fine. Also note that most people reporting these issues are only doing so when towing heavy loads up steep grades on the hottest days of the year. The truck doesn't explode, it just won't go past a certain speed. If you want to do 80mph towing a 6,000lb trailer uphill in 110 degree weather, this isn't the truck for you anyways.

Miscellaneous oil leaks are just that, oil leaks. You replace the seal and move on with your life, some axles are leaking, but those aren't just the diesel specific ones. Some have reporting timing cover leaks, which just require you to reseal it, easy repair any mechanic should be able to perform.

I think the diesel is a fine platform thus far - albeit only 5,000ish miles in, but I wouldn't go any other way. I wouldn't say they are more complex than they are complexly different. I've rebuilt both gas an diesel motors in the past and I can tell you that diesel engines are much simpler and require very little to run vs a conventional gas motor.

That being said, it sounds like you answered your own question as peace of mind is more important than anything else that can be said on a forum.

Whichever truck you end up with, I hope you enjoy it.

 

[MoxiesDad]

I think you already answered your question. A lot of around town trips and no daily commute = don't buy diesel.

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