[jerrybark]

Hi all,

i am shopping for an older diesel to use primarily for towing a small fifth wheel in tandem with a small boat, i do know i will have to meet michigan regs for this kind of towing.

i am a pretty good at-home mechanic, but know little about diesels that would allow me to evaluate one for potential purchase.

so my questions are:

what are the BIG bad signs of a diesel to run away from?

does anyone know of a good diesel shop in the area around ann arbor michigan that i could have evaluate a potential truck that i have locted there? that particular truck is a 1995 f350 crew cab with 115,000 miles, PSD and a plow for 10k.

thanks
jerry

 

[dbennett48]

Probably the biggest thing to worry about on a diesel is cavatation. This is a boiling of the coolant due to the compression shock of the pistons. You can add SCA (supplimental coolant additives) but you must be assured by the previous owner that he has kept up with the SCA's. This can lead to a resleeve job and a rebuild. Good Luck.

Dave