[RX-Kevin]

I need advise from the 6.9 owners that have delt with problems and know what to look for when buying a Ford truck with a 6.9 diesel

I have a 97 PSD that i bought with 160,000 miles and it now has 210,000 I have never had any problem with this truck.

Any advise big or small will help me since I have never even heard this type of engine run.

Thanks for any input
Kevin
Baltimore MD

 

[F350farmboy]

Well, if its from '83-mid '85 check to make sure the block is not cracked by the block heater as a poor block casting caused the block to crack where the block heater is if used on a regular basis.

Look at the return lines (the rubber lines which look like they are connecting the injectors together),if they are gray, they are more than likely to be original and tend to crack and let air into the system causing hard starts. This is about a $35-40 fix.

If it is hard to start, test the Glow Plugs by a test light, put the clamp on the (+) term and touch the connector on the GP. If they light up the tester, they are probably good...if not then more than likely bad.

It wont have that rattle like your PSD prob. does.
Some white smoke at start up is normal:
white=some unburned fuel
Blue= burning oil
Black=excessive fuel consumption

Thats all I can think of without sitting here for 30-45 mins and have 3 people say the exact same things :lol:

 

[RX-Kevin]

LINK TO PIC OF TRUCK

Thanks farm boy all of that info helps out alot. I checked out your truck and what a work rig. I love it when people have clean trucks that they actually use for what they were intended.

 

[WhiteGardens]

Just like with any motor too, if your getting excessive white smoke and it smells sweet, then the potential is there for a blown head gasket.

Also, check the corners of the heads and see if you see any hanging drips there, could mean a head gasket problem. Sometimes it's hard to tell though as the 6.9/7.3 idi valve covers are known to leak, and could obscure a head leak.

One thing I was also thinking is that the 6.9 is going to have way less power than your PSD, so you'll have to keep that in mind.

 

[F350farmboy]

Thanks, Its a work in progress...I have a huge wish list for it :jawdrop:
As said, these IDIs are dogs without any mods. Even if you dont put a turbo on it, any improvements to the intake and exhaust will make the truck perform better.