Hello all I sold my 94 IDI ford diesel a few months ago. I just found a truck I want but it has a few issues. Here it is. 2000 F350 ext cab long bed 7.3 powerstroke 6 speed 4x4. looks to be a retired company truck of some sort. 270200 miles on it drives tight everything works body and interior in ok shape I can get it for 7k. Heres the problem it seems to have a miss when first started. no power til 2200 plus rpm. no smoke or unusual diesel clatter is present during missing. Give it 5 minutes or so runs perfect no miss. I drove it today it was missing so i kicked on it and went through the gears then it was fine. It is the truck I want at a price i can afford. I just dont have thousands of dollars for repairs. What do you think?
thanks
chris

 

Chris, I'd suggest that you locate a diesel tech in your area that has a stellar reputation and take the truck to him for a pre-purchase checkup. It will cost you a few hours of his labor, but you will know what you are buying. If you buy something unknown and you have a serious problem, $2000 could be like pocket change to repair it. The other alternative is to buy/borrow/beg someone with AutoEnginuity on a laptop to analyze the engine...

 

I have a 2000 F250. Mine is real sluggish until it reaches a certain temp. By you saying that "everything's fine after about five minutes" makes me think it's just not warm yet. When I leave work, I get directly on the Interstate. My truck will hit that magic temp. at the same place everyday and all of a sudden it takes-off without me mashing on the pedal. I think it's just the temp.

$7k sounds good to me. I got a pretty good deal on my truck, which was also a company truck ($8k). The motor and transmission were fine, but I had to replace all the ball joints, steering dampner, and both hub bearings a few months after my purchase.

 

Neal's idea is a good one. Get a check up on it. I'd also recommend test driving other similarly equipped trucks for a base line comparison. What you consider no power before 2200 rpm's may be normal, or could be a sign of bad things to come.

 

i recently bought an 02 F350 CC LB SRW with 266000 on it. truck is in excellent condition and runs like its new. paid 13,8. i would agree with the other folk's on here. try to find an experienced ford diesel mechanic and see what they have to say. i'm no expert with these engines so i would have it checked out first..

 

Ok I drove it for a hour today and decided to try something easy and change the fuel filter. Man what a difference. The only place around here to work on these trucks is the dealer. It pulls so much better. Im going to go get it here in a few. Ill yell at yuall later. Thanks for the advice.