Chrysler 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Engine (Design, Reliability & Issues)
Updated: Feb 4
✔ This article has been fact checked.
The Chrysler 3.0 EcoDiesel is a 3 litre V6 diesel engine made in Cento, Italy, by VM Motori (an FCA subsidiary) which produces 240-260 hp and 570-650 nm of torque.
When Fiat and Chrysler started using the engine in their European vehicles in 2011, it made its debut codenamed as A630 DOHC.
For the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee in North America, the L630 DOHC variant, dubbed the EcoDiesel by Chrysler, launched in 2014.
The VM Motori L630 engine was featured on Ward's 10 best engines list 2014-2016.
This engine has high power and torque and excellent fuel efficiency. The range of available Jeep and Ram products has increased. The 3.0 EcoDiesel has a smooth, clean, and quiet operation.
Table of Contents:
Chrysler 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Engine Design
A compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block with a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks is used for this engine. Cast iron blocks are less compact, heavier, and thicker than CGI blocks.
A bedplate was mounted on the engine block for added strength; it was fixed in place with eight additional 12 mm bolts and four 14 mm bolts per main.
The crankshaft is made of forged 4140 steel, the connecting rods are cast iron, and the pistons are cast aluminium.
Oil is sprayed onto the piston of each cylinder by an oil squirter to keep it cool. The engine features four valves per cylinder and aluminium DOHC cylinder heads (24 valves total). Each cylinder has two intake valves and two exhaust valves.
Each valve is controlled by a roller-finger follower that is driven by a lobe on the camshaft. The exhaust camshafts in the engine are driven by a roller timing chain. The intake camshaft is then driven by each exhaust camshaft using a gear to gear mesh.
In the heads, low voltage ceramic glow plugs are used for a quick start up and reduced emissions (one per cylinder).
MultiJet II, a high-pressure direct injection fuel system, is a feature of this engine. Since servovalve injectors rather than piezo injectors are used, this fuel injection technology can support up to eight fuel injection events per cycle.
The advantages of this potential include increased power, less emissions, and more efficient and quieter burning.
A Bosch high-pressure fuel pump is a part of the fuel injection system. It keeps both fuel rails' fuel pressure at around 29,000 psi (2,000 bar). On the right of the front engine cover, this pump is operated by the exhaust camshaft through a gear.
The 3.0 V6 EcoDiesel engine is turbocharged, like the majority of modern diesel engines. It uses a Garrett variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) that is water-cooled. The centre is the only area that is cooled by water.
In the engine valley, close to the back of the engine, is where the turbocharger is located. An air-to-air intercooler is used to cool the charged air.
As seen in the list below, modern diesel engines are equipped with pollution-control technology.
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst)
DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)
SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction)
Water cooled EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
For 2014, 2015, and 2016, Ward's "10 Best Engines" list included the 3L EcoDiesel engine.
Two of the major rivals in the half-ton market, the 3.0L V6 Power Stroke engine from Ford and the 3.0L I6 Duramax engine from GM, both introduced their own variations in response to this Chrysler engine.
Upgraded Engine
The 3.0 EcoDiesel engine for the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been out of production since 2019. The engine was upgraded and updated for the fifth-generation 2020 Ram 1500, resulting in more power and torque, better fuel economy, and reduced emissions.
New pistons with improved piston bowl shape, coated skirts, and piston rings with lower friction are included in the updated EcoDiesel. New cylinder heads with improved intake port design were also installed. The nozzles on the fuel injectors have been modified. The compression ratio was reduced from 16.5:1 to 16.0:1.
The engine has a redesigned water-cooled variable geometry turbocharger and a new "low slung" intercooler. The low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system has been upgraded to comply with newer emission regulations and minimize carbon buildup in the EGR and intake systems.
With these improvements, the 3.0L EcoDiesel engine now produces 20 more hp and 60 more lb-ft of torque.
Engine Variants
A630 (EU):
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 238 hp (177 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 406 ft-lb (550 Nm) at 1,800-2,800 rpm.
2012 Chrysler 300: 187/236 hp (140/176 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 325/406 ft-lb (440/550 Nm) at 1,800-2,800 rpm.
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 247 hp (184 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 420 ft-lb (570 Nm) at 2,800 rpm.
A630 HP (EU): 271 hp (202 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 443 ft-lb (600 Nm) at 2,000-2,600 rpm. The Maserati Ghibli III, Maserati Quattroporte VI, and Maserati Levante all make use of this engine.
L630 (US 2014-2019): 240 hp (179 kW) at 3,600 rpm, 420 ft-lb (570 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. This is the engine for the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
L630 (US 2020+): 260 hp (193 kW) at 3,600 rpm, 480 ft-lb (651 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. The Ram 1500 uses this engine.
Engine Specs
Manufacturer: VM Motori
Production years: 2011-present
Cylinder block material: Compacted graphite iron
Cylinder head material: Aluminium
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel system: Direct Injection
Configuration: V
Number of cylinders: 6
Valves per cylinder: 4
Valvetrain layout: DOHC
Bore: 83.0 mm (3.27 in)
Stroke: 92.0 mm (3.62 in)
Displacement: 2,987 cc (182.3 cu in)
Type: Four-stroke, turbocharged
Compression Ratio: 16.5:1 (2014-2019), 16.0:1 (2020+)
Power: 240-260 hp (179-193 kW) at 3,600 rpm
Torque: 420-480 ft-lb (570-651 Nm) at 1,600-2,000 rpm
Engine weight: 220 kg (485 lbs)
Firing order: 1-4-2-5-3-6
Engine oil weight: SAE 5W-40
Engine oil capacity: 10.0 litres (10.5 qt) (2014-2019 Ram 1500), 7.6 litres (8.0 qt) (2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee), 8.0 litres (8.5 qt) (2020+ Ram 1500)
Oil change interval: 10,000 miles (15,000 km) / 12 months
Applications: Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 / Lancia Thema, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Maserati Levante
Reliability & Issues
There has previously been debate over the reliability of VM Motori engines. The 3.0 EcoDiesel engine still has issues and design defects, despite the manufacturer's significant recent improvements.
The most frequent issue that concerns many EcoDiesel drivers is oil cooler failure.
The oil cooler in this engine is cooled by water. To keep the engine oil cool, it requires engine coolant. When engine oil heats up and enters engine cooling systems when towing or hauling big loads, the oil cooler usually malfunctions.
Everything in a radiator, including the cooling tubes, is coated with oil, which could lower the cooling system's effectiveness. Oil in the coolant expansion tank is a sign of a significant problem.
The engine oil cooler and oil filter are joined by an adapter housing that has an oil check valve. The check valve on this device has small, fragile springs, and the check valve itself is constructed of plastic.
These springs might eventually degrade under high oil temperatures, which could lead to the check valve failing. The low oil pressure indication on the dashboard will normally illuminate shortly after that.
The engine operates without oil during these intervals, quickly causing serious harm to every core component.
The following are some of the less common problems.
EGR cooler malfunction
slippage of the camshaft gear
main bearing/connecting rod failure
Recall because unlawful emissions devices were used
Due to production line quality control problems, this might happen on low mileage engines.
Recalls
FCA recalled approximately 100,000 non-compliant cars in 2019 for a software update that decreases emissions to within legal limits as part of a $300 million settlement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB).
Tuning & Performance Upgrades
The best method to increase horsepower and torque is with an intake, exhaust, and remap.
For the greatest power improvements, you could also remove emissions equipment like the DPF, EGR, and catalytic converters. However, this could be against the law and will cause the vehicle to fail emissions testing.
You may modify the car without removing any emissions devices; however, the power increase will be lower but still significant.
Images
Below are images of the Chrysler 3L EcoDiesel engine.
