2002 Jeep Liberty KJ review from Australia and New Zealand

The user instructions say replace the timing belt every 100,000 KM. Fair enough. Went to buy a timing belt ($274) and that's just the belt. The book Jeep forum says to change the pulleys in the fan belt and the timing belt every time you replaced the belts. At $254 each, and there is a total of 6 of them, I don't think that's going to happen. I fitted Toyota Hilux pulleys in, which are the same size and fit in the same place. The Toyota pulleys are $42 each.

The timing belt tensioner pulley is spring loaded, and the spring is stopped against a PIN that is pressed into the block. Nothing is holding it there, only the pressure from manufacture. And the PIN fell out and the timing belt jumped a few teeth. I think the PIN should be threaded or at least have lock tight holding it in. New head is $2163 AUD.

This car is NOT a cheap car to keep alive. The timing set up is long and drawn out. The service manuals in Australia are $1400. When these cars are going, they never any trouble. Once the trouble starts, save your pennies. If you take it to a mechanic, a service will cost $2400 to $2500.

The turbo cuts in at 2000 RPM and it takes off like a 3.7 petrol/gasoline car, and it's diesel. It's got all the whistles you would ever want.