AllanWms

Guys

I'm scheduled to go pickup the '93 in a couple of hours and wanted to ask a few questions based on earlier observations.

1. Truck did not exhibit any smoke...I thought there should be some black smoke as it's a diesel.

2. I did not drive the truck as he did not have any current tags on it. He drove me around about 2 miles (with no tags in a urban area). The truck seems to have plenty of power. When we returned to his house, I shut it down and restarted the truck. If fired right up and purred, but when I pressed the accelerator there was a noticeable lag. Is that from the turbo? My main concern...after reading the many posts about the lift pump and injector pump is: If the lifter pump is failing and the injection pump is pulling fuel...could that cause the lag? Is there a way to check the condition of the lift pump and/or the injection pump?

3. I felt the engine before he started it and was cold...I know that a cold diesel could be stubborn to start. It was around 40 degrees out. I was wondering if pre-started it but did not run it long enough to warm the engine. Should there be any concern with cold start?

I will driving the truck prior to exchanging funds as I printed a trip permit to allow me to drive it home. After pulling cash from ATMs over the past couple of days (the banks were closed) and now have $2000 cash I want to make sure that I'm making an informed decision. 100 $20 bills is a pretty big stack...it wouldn't be as bad if I just wrote a check...lol.

RumbleFish

It won't put out much if any black smoke if it is stock. 40 degrees is nothing for a cummins. It is definitely not like a powerstroke of a dirtymax. I never plugged mine in unless it was less than 30 dgrees, but I only live 2 miles from work. If I had a further commute, I wouldn't plug it in until much colder. I sure hope you are giving more than $2k. That seems like a steal for sure.....he doesn't have two does he?

AllanWms

It's only $2000.00, he was asking $2300. The only big ticket items that I've read so far...is injection pump. I would imagine if it was having any issues with it...I'd be able to tell or it won't run. I was worried about the lag since reading other posts that if the lift pump goes the injection pump will pull the fuel but starve of lubrication...therefore ruining it. Being a newbie to diesel technology (have been working on gassers for decades), I'm somewhat paranoid...I guess.

dpuckett

If it's stock, it will be laggy, even when under no load in the driveway. Turn a few screws, and that all changes. Check your throttle linkage for any slack- I think there may be something in the sticky about it.

A properly tuned diesel wont smoke, until you get to obscene power levels- smoke is wasted fuel. ALso, the B-series Cummins will start down to 0deg without any trouble, esp if the grid heaters (glow plug-like function, but much more reliabble) are allowed to heat. Mine started in -4deg one morning without being plugged in.

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal- the engine is worth what you gave for the whole truck.

Daniel

apprentice

if it starts runs and drives for 2k pay him fast .... normaly i won't buy any thing with out a highway cruise and a chance to look it over good in day light. if you can pay a mechanic a $100 and get him to look it over and safety it that way you have barganing tools and a clear view of what you r getting into. but hey for 2000 giver you can sell it for double fill out some details 4x4? auto?

AllanWms

It's a '93 D250 2wd auto with o/d 184,000 miles with three toolboxes and a ladder rack.

dieselJon

Like they said, jump on it if it is only $2k.

Heck, speaking of cold start. I bought mine and 2 days later it was -15*. The 95 Ford E350 van wouldn't start, the 94 Dodge mini-van started after 4 attempts, the 87 Chevy Burb TBI started in 2 tries (always with-in 2 tries, even when hot out.) and the rusty ole Dodge with a dirty diesel (so said my family. Dad said it wouldn't start cause it wasn't plugged in) started the first time. I just mashed the go pedal and cranked it for about 1 min. Then you could have counted the cylinders as they kicked in. Not good for it but it proved a point.