1997 C3500, 6.5 turbo diesel

Stick

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
7,130
Location
Durham
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
I'm looking at a 1997 C3500 with the 6.5 turbo diesel and a dump bed. The body is in pretty good condition, runs good, brakes are good, transmission is the 5 speed stick. 187,900 miles. It would be used for a farm truck, with some moderate to heavy trailering, moving hay, feed, and everything else that needs to be done around here. There are a few things that need fixing; the windshield is cracked and needs to be replaced, it's ready for new tires all around, the oil pressure gauge is out, fuel gauge works intermittently and the parking brake handle is broken. From what I have been able to learn about the engine there a few mods that need to be done to head off problems down the road, particularly relocating the PMD and replacing the fuel lift pump. If anyone has experience with these engines, what else should I be on the lookout for?
Thanks in advance!
 
head gasket leaks

my experience is more with the 6.2 but leaking head gaskets are common.

a 6.2/6.5 has longevity similar to a gas engine, so that's a high mile vehicle. could run another 100k...

I'd check compression in each cylinder
 
head gasket leaks

my experience is more with the 6.2 but leaking head gaskets are common.

a 6.2/6.5 has longevity similar to a gas engine, so that's a high mile vehicle. could run another 100k...

I'd check compression in each cylinder
Thanks for the advice. I'm taking it to my mechanic Monday for a checkup and we will see what he says.
 
I hope it's cheap, because a set of tires is going to set you back some change.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
It is :) . A few hundred less than blue book value for an owner resale.
 
Don't run red fuel in it. The Injector pump has an optical sensor that will get stained and cause it to over fuel. Relocate the PMD or Injector driver box off the side of the pump if
it has not been done. The injectors are cheap to rebuild.These are good engines, that will run forever.
 
Back
Top Bottom