Hello guys,
New to the site, and after owning a PSD since new,I am just needing some help. I have a 2002 F250 with 206K trouble free miles, But I am in this area
for answers to a possible new toy. What to look for or should know before
purchasing a well used 1988 6.9 2 wd auto. Quick help would be great, I might be buying tomorrow, i am ready to answer any return questions. thanks for the help.

 

welcome to the site.

 

That final year of the 6.9 is one of best idis, it's got all the 7.3l upgrades but still has the thicker cylinder walls so cavitation is less of an issue. Its in good condition I say go for it!

 

welcome to FTE.
the 88 should have a 7.3 in it. the last year for the 6.9 was 87
the important thing you want to do is see how long it takes to start cold.
if the owner fires it up before you get there and warms it up, you will have no idea how it will start with a cold engine. if the glow plugs are bad, it will not start cold.

 

What if the year was later 87? Still 6.9 but classified as an 88?

 

by mid 87, all diesels made were 88 model year with a 7.3

 

Thanks for all the replys, I hope to get more. This is what i know. He did start it cold before I got there. The engine is light grey??? what is viewable, reman???. The 4-6 clicking sounds must have been glow plugs when i started??? i can not see any cobbled up wiring under the hood, seems to be all factory, no splices. now under the dash, i could not tell, only saw the wiring pulled down a little to a brake controller. i floored the throttle from an idle and smoked the e rated tires. i could tell something was holding the truck back....sticking brake not sure, frame looked solid. i need to know what type of trans it is, and what are the big $$$$ parts on this model. what do i need to look for as in numbers to verify engine. THANKS

 

there should be a sticker on the passenger side valve cover with the engine id if it is stock. trans could be either a C-6 or an AOD

 

I am wondering if the engine is stock, truck price is $1875. I need to be as sure as possible about mechanical condition.

 

Welcome To FTE !!!! and when you get the ol girl home post some pics and we can go from there.... there are alot of knowledgable people on here this is a great site!!!

 

I would go see the truck and tell the owner not to start it or have it plugged in. Just start cold. If the wait to start stays on about 10-15 seconds, you have proper function glow plugs and it should fire up. Give it some throttle to set the fast idle while the WTS light is on. Then turn the key. The cold advance and fast idle will make it rattle a lot and loud, don't be scared that is normal. Check for smoke, slight grey that clears up after 10 seconds is OK. Any other color such as white that is not just condesation or black indicating too rich is concern. Where are you located? The truck condition you can check for rust or signs of any damage. The engine is all mechanical injection so there are not any real expensive repair items like the electronic controlled newer ones. No computer, no expensive injectors, no inside the valve cover glow plugs. Overall pretty easy to work on, if you have basic mechanical skills and the board here has a lot of knowledge and helpful advice.

The biggest problem area is probably the trans. It could be the biggest potential repair item. Check the fluid and see how it smells and looks for color. The engine is very reliable, many go for several hundred thousand miles without any major internal repair required. If it has an aftermaket turbo it could have more concern. Engine oil is going to be very black, normal unless you just changed the oil. As long as no bad smell or brown color indicating water in oil you should be good.

 

Hey Guys, Thanks for all the input. I have decided to spend alittle more $$$ and get a 1996 F Superduty, or F450, a straight axel 7.3 5 speed chassis truck. I think the 1989 truck had some hidden issues, and just didn't need the headache.