3.0 EcoDiesel V-6

Page Contents:

  1. EcoDiesel Applications
  2. EcoDiesel Production Ended
  3. 2020 EcoDiesel Changes
  4. EcoDiesel Engine Specs
  5. Horsepower & Torque by Model Year
  6. Fuel Economy by Model Year/Application
  7. Emission Defeat Device Settlement
  8. Common EcoDiesel Engine Problems

The 3.0L EcoDiesel made its debut as an engine option in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee for the 2014 model year, becoming the first diesel engine option available in a 1/2 ton pickup truck in more than a decade. It has been rumored that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles declined an offer to adapt Cummins' 5.0L V-8 turbodiesel into the Ram 1500, citing that the large displacement engine platform would miss its fuel economy targets.

The 3.0L EcoDiesel is physically manufactured by VM Motori, an Italian manufacturer and subsidiary of FCA, in Cento, Italy. Note that although FCA and PSA group have merged to form a single Company, Stellantis (January of 2021), VM Motori remains a subsidiary of the new conglomerate. The engine earned a spot on Ward's "10 Best Engines" list for 2014, 2015, and 2016. It is quite renowned for its excellent fuel economy, which can exceed 30 mpg in certain applications when conditions are right.

EcoDiesel Applications

The 3.0L EcoDiesel was originally available in Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee models beginning with the 2014 model year. FCA would retire the engine from the Jeep Grand Cherokee following the conclusion of the 2019 model year, likely due to poor sales performance. However, the EcoDiesel was widely popular in Ram 1500 pickups and the engine would remain optional through the beginning of the 2023 model year.

For 2021, Jeep began offering the EcoDiesel in select trims of the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. Like the Ram 1500, production of the EcoDiesel in all Jeep vehicles ceased early into the 2023 model year. All EcoDiesel engines were mated to the ZF 8HP70 eight speed automatic transmission from 2014 to 2019 model years. All 2020 to 2023 model year engines were mated to the ZF 8HP75 eight speed automatic transmission.

EcoDiesel Production Ended

Despite celebrating enormous success, particularly in Ram 1500 models, Stellantis began phasing out the EcoDiesel engine option early into the 2023 model year. The company has cited its interest and focus on electric propulsion technologies, which will ultimately serve as a replacement for the EcoDiesel. Additional information on Ram Truck's transition to electric powertrain configurations is available at Ram Revolution.

2020 Model Year Changes

For 2020, the EcoDiesel returned to the Ram 1500 lineup with a multitude of changes, revisions, and updates, increasing peak horsepower, torque, and improving fuel economy in both two and four wheel drive configurations. Specifically, the engine changes include:

  • New piston design utilizing an optimized bowl geometry, thinner (low friction) piston rings, and coated skirts; compression ratio lowered from 16.5:1 to 16.0:1.
  • New piston wrist pin design with diamond like coating (DLC).
  • Revised water cooled variable geometry turbocharger.
  • Redesigned cylinder heads with optimized intake port geometry.
  • Revised fuel injector nozzle design.
  • New low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system that draws exhaust gases after they've exited the diesel particulate filter (DPF). This results in less carbon buildup in the EGR and intake systems as well as improved turbocharger performance.
  • New "low slung" charge-air-cooler that eliminates interference with the radiator for improved cooling.
  • Improved vacuum pump system relying on both an electric and mechanical vacuum pump.
  • Engine oil capacity reduced to 8.5 U.S. quarts with filter change (Ram 1500).
  • New engine oil specification requiring a full synthetic 5W-40 API SN engine oil (FCA material specification MS-12991).
  • Peak power increased from 240 to 260 horsepower.
  • Peak torque increased from 420 to 480 lb-ft.

EcoDiesel Engine Specs

Engine:

3.0L EcoDiesel

Manufacturer:

VM Motori (subsidiary of FCA, now Stellantis)

Engine Assembly Site:

Cento, Italy

Applications/Production Years:

2014 - 2023 Ram 1500
2014 - 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2021 - 2023 Jeep Wrangler
2021 - 2023 Jeep Gladiator

Advertised Displacement:

182 cubic inches, 3.0 liters

Calculated Displacement:

182.4 cubic inches, 2.99 liters

Configuration:

60 degree V-6

B10 Life:

Not rated

B50 Life:

Not rated

Bore:

3.27 in (83.0 mm)

Stroke:

3.62 in (92.0 mm)

Bore/Stroke Ratio:

0.90 (undersquare)

Compression Ratio:

2014 - 2019

16.5 : 1

2020 - 2023

16.0 : 1

Firing Order:

1-2-3-4-5-6

Cylinder Numbers:

3.0 EcoDiesel cylinder numbers and locations

Cylinders 1, 2, and 3 are located on the passenger side bank
Cylinders 4, 5, and 6 are located on the driver side bank

Engine Block Material:

Compacted graphite iron (CGI)

Cylinder Head Material:

Aluminum alloy

Injection System:

Direct injection (DI)
High pressure common rail, solenoid type fuel injectors
Bosch CP4.2 injection pump
29,000 psi max injection pressure

Aspiration:

Turbocharged and intercooled
Garrett GTB2056VKL water cooled variable geometry turbocharger
Electronically actuated VGT vane position
Air-to-air intercooler

Valvetrain:

24 valve (4 valves per cylinder)
Roller chain driven dual overhead camshafts (DOHC)
Roller finger followers, hydraulic lash adjusters

Valve Lash (Clearance):

Not applicable; engine features hydraulic lash adjusters, no service necessary

Cold Start Aid(s):

Glow plugs, 1 per cylinder

Engine Oil Capacity:

2014 - 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

8.0 U.S. quarts with filter change

2014 - 2019 Ram 1500

10.5 U.S. quarts with filter change

2020 - 2023 Ram 1500

8.5 U.S. quarts with filter change

2021 - 2023 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator

9.0 U.S. quarts with filter change

Engine Oil Spec:

All 2014 - 2019 applications

SAE 5W-40 full synthetic API CJ-4 diesel motor oil

All 2020 - 2023 applications

SAE 5W-40 full synthetic API SN diesel motor oil (FCA material spec MS-12991)

Fuel:

Diesel fuel, up to B20 biodiesel compatible (alternate service conditions apply when using biodiesel blends)

Horsepower:

240 - 260 hp, see full breakdown by application and model year in chart below

Torque:

442 - 480 lb-ft, see full breakdown by application and model year in chart below

Governed Speed:

4,600 - 5,800 rpm, see breakdown by application and model year in chart below

Coupled Transmission(s):

2014 - 2019 model years

ZF 8HP70 eight speed automatic (TorqueFlite 8)

2020 - 2023 model years

ZF 8HP75 eight speed automatic (TorqueFlite 8)
Electronic engine start-stop feature standard on Jeep Wrangler models

Emissions Equipment:

Cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system requiring diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)

Engine Weight:

Approximately 505 lbs

Engine Dimensions:

Length:

27.3 in

Width:

28.7 in

Height:

27.4 in

3.0 EcoDiesel engine

Latest generation EcoDiesel engine

Horsepower & Torque Ratings by Model Year

Application/Model Year

Peak Rated Horsepower

Peak Rated Torque

Max Engine Speed

2014 - 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

240 hp @ 3,600 rpm

420 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm

4,800 rpm

2014 - 2019 Ram 1500

2020 - 2023 Ram 1500

260 hp @ 3,600 rpm

480 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm

5,800 rpm

2021 - 2023 Jeep Wrangler

260 hp @ 3,600 rpm

442 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm

4,600 rpm

2021 - 2023 Jeep Gladiator

Fuel Economy by Application

A recall and subsequent software update (recalibration) affecting 2014 to 2016 model year vehicles as a result of a settlement between the EPA, CARB, and FCA resulted in current fuel economy figures that may be lower than those advertised at the time a vehicle was originally purchased. Current EPA rated fuel economy figures are available at fueleconomy.gov.

Application/Model Year

Fuel Economy (MPG)
4x2 Models

Fuel Economy (MPG)
4x4 Models

2014 - 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

22 city
30 highway
25 combined

21 city
28 highway
24 combined

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Not offered

21 city
28 highway
24 combined

2014 - 2018 Ram 1500

20 city
27 highway
23 combined

19 city
26 highway
22 combined

2019 Ram 1500

20 city
27 highway
23 combined

19 city
27 highway
22 combined

2020 - 2022 Ram 1500

22 city
32 highway
26 combined

21 city
29 highway
24 combined

2023 Ram 1500

Not offered

21 city
29 highway
24 combined

2021 - 2023 Jeep Wrangler [1]

4x4 only

22 city
29 highway
25 combined

2021 - 2023 Jeep Gladiator [1]

4x4 only

22 city
28 highway
24 combined

[1] - Rubicon fuel economy not shown; Rubicon trim levels have lower fuel economy figures due to a numerically higher final drive ratio

Emissions Testing Defeat Device Settlement

In January of 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resource Board (CARB) alleged that Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel wielded software specifically designed to alter engine function during emissions testing, and that said software allowed vehicles to emit pollutants beyond mandated limits. In 2019, FCA settled with the EPA and CARB for more than $300 million.

The settlement required FCA to recall more than 100,000 model year 2014 to 2016 non-compliant vehicles for a software update that reduced emissions to legal limits. Current owners/lessees of affected vehicles may have qualified for a cash payout of up to $3,075 for having their vehicle fixed under the terms of the settlement. Additionally, FCA provided an extended warranty to owners who fixed their vehicle within the time frame outlined by the agreement (10 years/120,000 miles from vehicle purchase date OR 4 years/48,000 miles after the software update, whichever is more advantageous to the vehicle owner).

The software update prompted the EPA to revise fuel economy ratings for affected vehicles, validating the increased fuel consumption many owners reported after receiving the software update.

Engine Oil Viscosity Requirement Change TSB

Technical service bulletin (TSB) 18-078-16 calls for a change to the original oil specification for all EcoDiesel engines built before 6/30/2016. The original engine oil specification for vehicles built prior to this date was 5W-30 full synthetic, while the TSB prompts owners and dealers to begin using 5W-40. The exact events that prompted the oil specification change are not well documented, but it may be related to complaints regarding low oil pressure and/or a loss of oil pressure under certain conditions. A reflash is also provided under the service bulletin.

Common EcoDiesel Problems

Exhaust Fume Smell in Cabin (Recall)

Up to 3,000 model year 2014/2015 EcoDiesel equipped Ram 1500 pickups were recalled due to complaints regarding diesel exhaust fumes present in the cabin. The duration and persistence of the problem has varied – some owners reported intermittently experiencing the unpleasant smell of diesel exhaust, while others claim the frequency of occurrence and strength of the smell has made driving the vehicle nearly unbearable.

After investigating claims made by owners, FCA determined that the cause of the problem was a cracked and/or leaking exhaust coupler unique to two wheel drive pickups with the 3.0L EcoDiesel. Ram’s parent company has since voluntarily issued a recall on affected trucks, which they claim is limited to approximately 3,000 units.

Oil Cooler Failures

A failure of the engine oil cooler is by far the most common and well documented problem with the 3.0L EcoDiesel. Failures are generally blamed on the relatively high temperatures that the engine oil reaches, which is magnified while towing or hauling under high load conditions. The failure results in contamination between the engine oil and engine cooling systems. Engine coolant that is contaminated with oil coats everything it touches and may compromise the efficiency of the cooling system. Engine oil that is contaminated with coolant compromises the lubricating properties of the oil. It is currently much more common to see engine oil contaminating the cooling system, and it is reportedly extremely difficult for dealers to flush and clean the cooling system properly after an oil cooler failure is detected. There are several aftermarket oil coolers on the market that address the shortcomings of the OEM unit.

Bottom End Failures (Connecting Rod/Main Bearing Failure)

Various polls and forum discussions document the occurrence of bottom end failures at relatively low miles, most of which occur before 20,000 miles with many occurring at under 5,000 miles. There's little information to support the root cause, however the consensus is quality control issues in the original manufacturing and assembly processes that may include improperly torqued components and material defects. In the big scheme of things, the occurrence rate is low, but significant enough to express concern. Fortunately, these failures are typically occurring within the warranty period and thus the owners are protected from steep out-of-pocket repair costs.

Engine Shudder

Various reflashes have been released that address driveability concerns, including an engine shudder. Technical service bulletin 09-006-15 (dated 7/18/2015) addresses an engine shudder caused by excessive carbon buildup on the exhaust valve stems. The TSB calls for both cylinder heads to be replaced by an updated design that features an improved valve stem.

Camshaft Gear Slipping

Rumors of a pressed on camshaft gear slipping and causing fatal contact between the valves and pistons first surfaced in a clip on the video-sharing website YouTube. Our own investigation has concluded that this was an isolated instance and that the problem identified in the video has not been a widespread problem or concern for the 3.0L EcoDiesel. Rather, the information provided in the video was regurgitated on various forum platforms and websites without any real evidence of additional cases. This is not to contest the possibility of such events from occurring, however we've yet to see a volume of complaints that suggests there is any subsistence to claims relating to slipping timing gear sprockets.