Hope that got your attention

I'm looking for a new work truck and if I can afford it a diesel would seem to be THE way to go. My only hesitaition is I've never owned one. Happily worked on the Bronco and the Ranchero but I couldn't tell you the difference between Glow Plugs and Injectors. Now, I'm ready for a few hard knocks and a steep learning curve. Hopefully the light at the end of the tunnel are diesel truck lights.

What is a standard list of checks for a diesel that I'd never think of being a gas guzzler? Red flags?

I've found a possible truck and will check it out in person this week if I can get some education.

SO...

1985 f250

This truck is being offered for $1700 and I'm in the process of finding out mileage info/extra history. Here's what I've got so far:


"This Truck is a great runnig truck, It'll always start even after sitting for weeks. It just recieved a new master cylender, and new wheel cylenders. It also has 2 new bateries,and a new tie rod(could use an alainment now)it has a 6.9l diesel motor that has recently received a injector pump recently due to the fact that the old one had a bad front seal.(old one comes with the truck too) It also recieved new brake shoes and pads about 6 months ago. Also at that time it recieved a new injector and water seperator(good for 50,000 miles)the truck has electric trailer brake controls, and front and rear trailer hitches. the truck has NO MAJOR OIL LEAKS The truck never failed to start or drive since I owned it, except once and it was because of bad batteries.(they are about $160 and under warrenty now)"


Any advice would be greatly appreciated ladies and gentleman.



P.S> i will of coursecontinue to search this forum for addtional info now that I've figured out the new search function.

 

How many miles on the engine? Sounds like a pretty good truck. The thing to find out is how much oil it burns between oil changes, the less the better. Some of the 6.9s devolped quite a thirst.

 

Thanks for the tip.

Odometer reads 60k. He assumes it has flipped once only. Tranny is shifting hard (auto 3 speed) but the fluid isn't burnt. Dual tanks are stuck on one cause of switch just now. Says one front rotor needs to be turned. Claims no oil being burnt between changes,

It's the HD model and it would beat the pants off my Ranchero for hauling and working.

Thanks again.

 

Here is a link to a thread here where I tried about the same thing you are asking for. I got almost no help.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=276636

 

Thanks 4 the links. Wife is going ballistic over the prospect of getting a diesel.

How did ur purchase go? Success?

 

There are a bunch of posts here on what to look for. Basically its a lot like a gas engine, if its leaking oil (lots of oil) thats bad, burnt ATF etc. Other things to look for are the coolent additive for diesels. Without the motors tend to fall apart. Maintance is also a big deal, did they change the oil? other fluids. ???

 

I'd read about the coolant and when I asked him he said he'd not added anything to it. I can take my ohm meter and poke'er in but if that hasn't been done what else hasn't been done

 

You might want to test the coolent yourself. I've had to take mine into the shop a few times (just moved and no tools) and most of the shops put it in. I know because I checked it before driving home. If he had someone else to the maintance he might not know what was added.
If it hasn't had the SCA I'd think real hard. From what I read you might get lucky, there are trucks that are still running without it. At the very least I'd talk him down on the price.

 

This truck should be a 6.9, so the coolant issues aren't as important. The worst thing this engine should need would be head gaskets. Mine are starting to go at 190 k (miles). I don't know if I'd believe the no oil between changes comment. These things all drink oil to a point. Was the dipstick on the full?

 

don't even believe the use's no oil line. unless he changed oil every 200 miles. get him to go for a 50+ mile drive 100 would be best. check the oil before and after. Get ready to buy oil by the gallon

 

It sounds like a pretty good truck to me but I'm new to diesels. Just got mine in september. It's also a 6.9, leaks a little oil runs pretty good. I'd be happier if the fuel price hadn't gone thru the roof right after I bought it

 

Also no one mentioned the transmission...it is a C6 and they are supposed to shift like that. This truck was from the days before grandmas drove trucks so the C6 is often one harsh transmission but it's OK, it doesn't hurt anything except maybe your neck. If you said it was smooth, that's when I'd wonder.

Birken

 

here's what my c6 does ( i think it has a shift kit) if you start out slow (like around town) it shifts hard (bang) each time. If you shove the peddle down and go. It shifts as smooth as a babys a$$

 

Must me somthing weird with yours, mabey a shif kit, mine is a bone stock rebuilt C6 with a transfer case behind it in an '88 2wd and when I first swapped out the 7.3 5 speed for that one it actually chirped the tires under hard accel from 2nd to 3rd. (and yes it was in high range) somone know had an 84 4x4 that would snap your neck between shifts too. Ahh yes the days when auto trannys were actully built tough. LOL. It sounds like a decent truck as long as it has been maintained properly, so i'd say go for it.

 

Heaps of Thanks to Everyone

Awesome info and pointers. The long drive is well in order. Will let you all know how I get on. Thanx again.