Hi guys,

Never owned a Diesel, and I'm looking to buy a 98 Ram 2500, 5.9 Cummins, 24V, Auto, has 117K---Price $13,500.

Compared to my 98 Fi50, the brakes and steering on the Dodge seem stiff. Also there seems to be a little oil around the bottom of the engine.

We wiped down the bottom of the engine took if for a ride, and parked it-- I crawled back under upon returning and it was still dry.

Did a carfax, and it showed no damage reports, but did show a accident in 1999.

The seller states that the truck was in a "minor" accident. Despite the claim of "no rust anywhere" there is a 1" rust bubble on the drivers side door at about center-mass.

Other than the above it seems to start and run good.

Although, I have put a deposit down ($250) I can still back out.

All suggestions appreciated.

Here is a link the to truck as advertised on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEDW%3AIT

 

If the oil is toward the front of the engine, it may be coming from or have come from the crankcase breather bottle or hose to the bottle. Look on the front on the engine towards the drivers side of center. Look for the hose coming out of the valve cover and headed downward.
You should see the bottle at the end of the hose. The vapor also causes that side of the radiator to clog somewhat with oil mixed with dirt. That can be re-routed so as to stop the mess on the front and bottom side of the engine.

As far as the engine goes, you need to bone up on the Electric Fuel Pump known as a LP that has a high rate of failure on some trucks. When it goes out, it sometimes takes the Fuel injection pump with it. The electronic module in the Fuel Injection pump is cooled by the fuel flow from the LP. The Fuel Injection Pump is also known as a "VP-44" There are serveral more sensors on the engine that may wear out around your mileage. I lost the Map Sensor and Crankshaft position sensor between 95-97k. I was lucky with the LP lasting 95K. Truck has 135K on it now with original vp44. I run a fuel additive all the time. Cheap kind.

So you need a fuel pressure gauge. Get up to speed either on this site or Turbo Diesel Register site on what you need to look for with the engine. Otherwise you have a Million Mile Truck. If you've never owned a Diesel, and you buy this one, you'll never drive a gaser again.

I perfer the pre 98 cummins with no electronics. Had one.


Dave

 

I would have the codes pulled, autozone will do it for free. The main 2 that I would look for are P0216 and P1689. The P1689 is a failure to commutate code between the ECM and the injector pump, this could end up being a bad injector pump or ECM. The P0216 is a bad injector pump. Both cost $ to fix, with either code I would have them fix the truck first.

Rodney

 

All in all the price is right but be sure to check out what everyone else mentioned.

 

Did carfax say it was registered in CT. It looks like one I almost bought off a guy, He was going to trade it in. If so I might have something to say about it. But the price is good.
Mike

 

Thanks for the replies.

The small amount of oil is leading me to believe it may be breather drip, but I will check again.

The seller stated that most of the Cummins throw some oil out the rear-main. Is this true?

Unfortunately, I will not be able to do a code check before taking delivery. But if I think he is blowing smoke up my tail-pipe I will just not make final payment, and take delivery.

The truck has always been registered in NY.

Are stiff braking, and steering common on these bigger trucks?

The seller, said that the brakes are boosted by the engine and sometimes it needs time for the pressure to build-up??

Thanks!

 

No engine should blow oil out the rear main seal. It is a seal and nothing should be getting past it. Since our engines produce no vaccum on thier own they use the power sterring pump to provide brake boost, also known as hydro boost.

These are 3/4 and 1 tons trucks so the suspension will be stiffer, the braking will be stiffer because of the hydro boost, and the steering is just fine for me. The steering is usually nice and tight, and not loose and sloppy like some older rigs.