Need ya'lls opinion
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 156
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From: East Texas
Need ya'lls opinion
I'm looking to buy a 97 F350 crew cab dually with 172,000 mi. on it, its supposedly a one owner trade in. I don't know any maint history and the salesman didn't seem to either. I've heard (read in here) a lot of things about cavitation (how common is this?), crank position sensor replacement, etc. Is this a bad investment with the amount of miles on it or not. They are asking $ 8950.00. Any help or opinions on this would be appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
From the description you've given of the truck, that's a great price, assuming everything is in working order. Maintaining the coolant by putting in the additive is something not everyone does, but it's a pretty good indicator of the overall maintenance of the truck. Take a sample of the coolant, and test it with one of the strips. If the additive has been maintained, I'd guess the rest of the maintenance hasn't been totally ignored.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 135
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From: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Agree with Quadzilla. If you can't get access to maintenance records, I would be kind of worried about 172k miles on it. If, however, the maintenance was done properly, the engine should just about be broken in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
If you will go to Navistar and get their part number OCC2602B it is a single packet with a Fleetguard test strip for the coolant in it. You can also get the test strips at some auto part stores.
Test the coolant in the truck you are looking at. If it is OK it is likely at that mileage that the coolant additives have been taken care of over time. If not, I would take that into consideration when deciding.
If it is two wheel drive very good price.
If it is 4 wheel drive, if you don't want it I'll be there in the morning (just kidding - sort of)
Dave / Believer45
Test the coolant in the truck you are looking at. If it is OK it is likely at that mileage that the coolant additives have been taken care of over time. If not, I would take that into consideration when deciding.
If it is two wheel drive very good price.
If it is 4 wheel drive, if you don't want it I'll be there in the morning (just kidding - sort of)
Dave / Believer45
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 152
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From: Central Texas
Sounds like an awesome truck at a great price. Along with everyone elses suggestions, might not be a bad idea to pull the air filter ect. and check the turbo for dusting, take a look at the tranny fluid and give it sniff for any burnt smell, pull the dipstick and make sure the oil is not a milky color. I forgot/didn't know to do some of these things when I bought my high milage '97. So good so far, but I kick myself daily for not checking it all out first.
