Truck buying time... need advice
#1
Truck buying time... need advice
Hey everyone, long time no... err.. post. Anywho, I'll get straight to the point. I sold my excursion to a friend who offered 500 bucks more than I paid for it 3 years ago. I'm now looking for a replacement truck. I found a 97 PSD/zf5 fairly cheap and cosmetically challenged, and would like to have a mechanic look at it before I pick it up.
It runs decent, doesn't blow me away as far as power goes - seemed on par with the excursion at best, after it warmed up. It does put out a fairly good amount of blue smoke on startup, which I read that it could be as simple as injector o rings, or as bad as piston rings or bad injectors... Does anyone know of a shop or mechanic, preferably in the shakopee/south west area, that I could take this thing to and have it looked at, just so I know what I'm getting myself into?
Thanks!
It runs decent, doesn't blow me away as far as power goes - seemed on par with the excursion at best, after it warmed up. It does put out a fairly good amount of blue smoke on startup, which I read that it could be as simple as injector o rings, or as bad as piston rings or bad injectors... Does anyone know of a shop or mechanic, preferably in the shakopee/south west area, that I could take this thing to and have it looked at, just so I know what I'm getting myself into?
Thanks!
#4
Blue Smoke would be oil burning. From what I've read, injector o-rings are common. This seems likely, especially since it goes away as the engine warms up. The o-rings expand and seal up when they get warm. I've got a 96. It could be something else as well, but o-rings are cheap and relatively easy to do. Check in the 94.5 - 97 forum. There is alot of good info over there.
White smoke would indicate unburnt Diesel (glow plugs). I know mine smokes when I start it up. The colder it is, the more white smoke I get. Even one glow plug can do this.
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
White smoke would indicate unburnt Diesel (glow plugs). I know mine smokes when I start it up. The colder it is, the more white smoke I get. Even one glow plug can do this.
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
#5
Yeah, I went through that forum a bit.. Found out that the old body styles also never hit 400k miles displayed, and just roll back to 300k... so makes me wonder how many miles are on this thing. As far as the blue smoke is concerned, the second time around it started much easier and with a lot less blue smoke; so it very well could be the o rings. There were a few other things on the truck though that turned me off and I think I will pass on it. The fan blower doesn't seem to work, only got a hint of cold air out of the AC. Also, under the hood i found a cardboard wrapper from a stop leak product in the engine bay... along with a plastic funnel. I don't mind extra accessories, but the stop leak stuff worries me.
It's at Apple Suzuki if anyone wants it; 97 f350 crew 4x4, 337k, surprisingly little rust on it, none on the underbody/suspension, just a bit on the body, and sporting some bling bling 20s with good tires on it. they have it listed at 4500 bucks.
I appreciate the help
It's at Apple Suzuki if anyone wants it; 97 f350 crew 4x4, 337k, surprisingly little rust on it, none on the underbody/suspension, just a bit on the body, and sporting some bling bling 20s with good tires on it. they have it listed at 4500 bucks.
I appreciate the help
#7
Yeah, I went through that forum a bit.. Found out that the old body styles also never hit 400k miles displayed, and just roll back to 300k... so makes me wonder how many miles are on this thing. As far as the blue smoke is concerned, the second time around it started much easier and with a lot less blue smoke; so it very well could be the o rings. There were a few other things on the truck though that turned me off and I think I will pass on it. The fan blower doesn't seem to work, only got a hint of cold air out of the AC. Also, under the hood i found a cardboard wrapper from a stop leak product in the engine bay... along with a plastic funnel. I don't mind extra accessories, but the stop leak stuff worries me.
It's at Apple Suzuki if anyone wants it; 97 f350 crew 4x4, 337k, surprisingly little rust on it, none on the underbody/suspension, just a bit on the body, and sporting some bling bling 20s with good tires on it. they have it listed at 4500 bucks.
I appreciate the help
It's at Apple Suzuki if anyone wants it; 97 f350 crew 4x4, 337k, surprisingly little rust on it, none on the underbody/suspension, just a bit on the body, and sporting some bling bling 20s with good tires on it. they have it listed at 4500 bucks.
I appreciate the help
Trending Topics
#8
Yeah, that's what I thought... If I didn't depend on it this winter, and had time and space to work on it, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. At the very least, it would be an awesome start for a cummins swap - having the manual tranny would mean basically no electronics...
#10
I'm passing up a 7.3 because of possible reliability issues... not gonna touch a 6.0 anytime soon :P Once I'm in az, maybe I'll get a 6.4 or something, for now I just want a winter beater that can tow more than my cherokee
#12
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
brown 4x4
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
02-21-2009 11:00 AM