Help Looking to buy a 97 Cummins
02-05-2004, 10:16 AM
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Help Looking to buy a 97 Cummins
First of all I would like to thank everyone for the info that they post, it has been a great help in deciding to buy my first cummins.
I'm looking at a 97 cummins ext. cab. dually flat bed. The truck has not been that well taken care of. It was used on Ranch and I think there is more dirt on the inside than the out side.
Things I know about the truck.
exterior is in good condition.
no dents, ding, rust, craked glass.
Exhaust looks stock from what I can tell
has Banks twin ram intake manifold
Was unable to find out any info about the Auto Tranny
Truck is completely loaded with options except leather
Has Rancho shock system on the front end
It was pugged in when I started it and it started and idled fine.
Was unable to test drive because of no license or insurance on the truck.
just to the right of the overdrive button it has choke style cable handle. Do not know what it would be for.
Also there are four toggle switches on the roof console, none are labeled.
This is a bank repo so I'm not able to talk to the owner.
and of course the bank knows nothing about the truck.
The only thing that worries me is the oil leak on the front of the engine. I don't think the KDP has been taken care of. Will a truck still run if the dowl has fallen out and cause problems, or is this just a gasket issue?
Any comments, suggestions, are welcome.
Please give me some other ideas what to look for. I'm trying to convince them to let me drive it, I'm also having a mechanic take a look at it tonight, but would like everyones input.
Thanks in advance
dctoner
I'm looking at a 97 cummins ext. cab. dually flat bed. The truck has not been that well taken care of. It was used on Ranch and I think there is more dirt on the inside than the out side.
Things I know about the truck.
exterior is in good condition.
no dents, ding, rust, craked glass.
Exhaust looks stock from what I can tell
has Banks twin ram intake manifold
Was unable to find out any info about the Auto Tranny
Truck is completely loaded with options except leather
Has Rancho shock system on the front end
It was pugged in when I started it and it started and idled fine.
Was unable to test drive because of no license or insurance on the truck.
just to the right of the overdrive button it has choke style cable handle. Do not know what it would be for.
Also there are four toggle switches on the roof console, none are labeled.
This is a bank repo so I'm not able to talk to the owner.
and of course the bank knows nothing about the truck.
The only thing that worries me is the oil leak on the front of the engine. I don't think the KDP has been taken care of. Will a truck still run if the dowl has fallen out and cause problems, or is this just a gasket issue?
Any comments, suggestions, are welcome.
Please give me some other ideas what to look for. I'm trying to convince them to let me drive it, I'm also having a mechanic take a look at it tonight, but would like everyones input.
Thanks in advance
dctoner
02-05-2004, 10:35 AM
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Re: Help Looking to buy a 97 Cummins
Originally posted by dctoner
First of all I would like to thank everyone for the info that they post, it has been a great help in deciding to buy my first cummins.
I'm looking at a 97 cummins ext. cab. dually flat bed. The truck has not been that well taken care of. It was used on Ranch and I think there is more dirt on the inside than the out side.
Things I know about the truck.
exterior is in good condition.
no dents, ding, rust, craked glass.
Exhaust looks stock from what I can tell
has Banks twin ram intake manifold
Was unable to find out any info about the Auto Tranny
Truck is completely loaded with options except leather
Has Rancho shock system on the front end
It was pugged in when I started it and it started and idled fine.
Was unable to test drive because of no license or insurance on the truck.
I had that dowel pin problem on my 96
I had just changed the oil and I noticed a signifcant leak right after. I thought maybe I was coming from the filter but after looking closer I could see it was coming from behind the timing cover. I too have the banks twin ram intake with the power pack. I took the truck to the dodge dealer and as soon as they saw that they were ready to back out of my warrenty which was really up anyway due to milage but my salesman went to bat for me and basically told them this was a common problem and the banks kit had nothing to do with the problem. The problem they had was, they have seen a lot of dowel pins back off and they have seen them do damage but they have never seen them do as much damage as mine did. They still took care of me under a, I think they called it a hardship clause, and I was a happy camper again. So the answer to your question will it still run with the dowel pin off, mine did, was leaking like crazy but still running LOL
just to the left of the overdrive button it has choke style cable handle. Do not know what it would be for.
Also there are four toggle switches on the roof console, none are labeled.
This is a bank repo so I'm not able to talk to the owner.
and of course the bank knows nothing about the truck.
The only thing that worries me is the oil leak on the front of the engine. I don't think the KDP has been taken care of. Will a truck still run if the dowl has fallen out and cause problems, or is this just a gasket issue?
Any comments, suggestions, are welcome.
Please give me some other ideas what to look for. I'm trying to convince them to let me drive it, I'm also having a mechanic take a look at it tonight, but would like everyones input.
Thanks in advance
dctoner
First of all I would like to thank everyone for the info that they post, it has been a great help in deciding to buy my first cummins.
I'm looking at a 97 cummins ext. cab. dually flat bed. The truck has not been that well taken care of. It was used on Ranch and I think there is more dirt on the inside than the out side.
Things I know about the truck.
exterior is in good condition.
no dents, ding, rust, craked glass.
Exhaust looks stock from what I can tell
has Banks twin ram intake manifold
Was unable to find out any info about the Auto Tranny
Truck is completely loaded with options except leather
Has Rancho shock system on the front end
It was pugged in when I started it and it started and idled fine.
Was unable to test drive because of no license or insurance on the truck.
I had that dowel pin problem on my 96
I had just changed the oil and I noticed a signifcant leak right after. I thought maybe I was coming from the filter but after looking closer I could see it was coming from behind the timing cover. I too have the banks twin ram intake with the power pack. I took the truck to the dodge dealer and as soon as they saw that they were ready to back out of my warrenty which was really up anyway due to milage but my salesman went to bat for me and basically told them this was a common problem and the banks kit had nothing to do with the problem. The problem they had was, they have seen a lot of dowel pins back off and they have seen them do damage but they have never seen them do as much damage as mine did. They still took care of me under a, I think they called it a hardship clause, and I was a happy camper again. So the answer to your question will it still run with the dowel pin off, mine did, was leaking like crazy but still running LOL
just to the left of the overdrive button it has choke style cable handle. Do not know what it would be for.
Also there are four toggle switches on the roof console, none are labeled.
This is a bank repo so I'm not able to talk to the owner.
and of course the bank knows nothing about the truck.
The only thing that worries me is the oil leak on the front of the engine. I don't think the KDP has been taken care of. Will a truck still run if the dowl has fallen out and cause problems, or is this just a gasket issue?
Any comments, suggestions, are welcome.
Please give me some other ideas what to look for. I'm trying to convince them to let me drive it, I'm also having a mechanic take a look at it tonight, but would like everyones input.
Thanks in advance
dctoner
02-05-2004, 12:49 PM
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I'd say if the price was right, sounds like a deal. I'm taking a wild guess at the choke cable....maybe a front axle disconnect for transfer case low range in 2wd, if the truck is a 4x4. The toggles you can play with to see what stops working.
02-05-2004, 01:26 PM
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George&cheryl
I have seen pictures of a crack on the housing. Did yours have a crack?
Junk Yard Dog
It is a 4x4, I think I have talked them into a test drive tonight. I will test the toggles and the cable.
Thanks for the thoughts
I have seen pictures of a crack on the housing. Did yours have a crack?
Junk Yard Dog
It is a 4x4, I think I have talked them into a test drive tonight. I will test the toggles and the cable.
Thanks for the thoughts
02-05-2004, 01:48 PM
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Originally posted by dctoner
George&cheryl
I have seen pictures of a crack on the housing. Did yours have a crack?
Junk Yard Dog
It is a 4x4, I think I have talked them into a test drive tonight. I will test the toggles and the cable.
Thanks for the thoughts
George&cheryl
I have seen pictures of a crack on the housing. Did yours have a crack?
Junk Yard Dog
It is a 4x4, I think I have talked them into a test drive tonight. I will test the toggles and the cable.
Thanks for the thoughts
no it was a hole as if someone shot a bullet into it
02-05-2004, 02:08 PM
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Originally posted by dctoner
I have not done a detailed inspection but there is no hole or crack, I'm pretty sure it is a gasket issue.
I have not done a detailed inspection but there is no hole or crack, I'm pretty sure it is a gasket issue.
BTW how much oil is leaking?
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02-05-2004, 02:11 PM
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I don't have a real good estimate because where it sits(gravel) it looks like it has been leaking for some time. I'm not sure what bare is directly under the gear cover, but it looks like it is about .25" thick. I looked on the ground and there isn't an oil spot.
I will check again after we run it tonight.
I will check again after we run it tonight.
02-05-2004, 02:23 PM
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dieselcrazy
I was able to start it yesterday temps were in the high 20's, it was plugged in, it started right up with no problems, I let it sit there and idle for 3 min with out touching the peddle.
Where would you attach such a cable to control the idle speed?
I was able to start it yesterday temps were in the high 20's, it was plugged in, it started right up with no problems, I let it sit there and idle for 3 min with out touching the peddle.
Where would you attach such a cable to control the idle speed?
02-05-2004, 11:35 PM
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i would think if some1 has it set up to hold a higher idle speed at start up that it would run up to the throttle linkage. ive never seen it done but some guys have talked about trying it. let us know what you find out. scott
02-06-2004, 08:57 AM
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Found out the four switches were for lights that were on the headache rack(no longer there)
The cable is setup for controling the idle, but it was not adjusted correctly. I'm thinking he put it in and it didn't work like he had hoped or that it worked its self loose.
Got to drive the truck, it ran out fine, plenty of power.
Oil on the front of the engine looked wet but still nothing on the ground. (they moved the truck to a driveway)
Here is a pic
The cable is setup for controling the idle, but it was not adjusted correctly. I'm thinking he put it in and it didn't work like he had hoped or that it worked its self loose.
Got to drive the truck, it ran out fine, plenty of power.
Oil on the front of the engine looked wet but still nothing on the ground. (they moved the truck to a driveway)
Here is a pic
02-06-2004, 09:01 AM
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Originally posted by dctoner
Found out the four switches were for lights that were on the headache rack(no longer there)
The cable is setup for controling the idle, but it was not adjusted correctly. I'm thinking he put it in and it didn't work like he had hoped or that it worked its self loose.
Got to drive the truck, it ran out fine, plenty of power.
Oil on the front of the engine looked wet but still nothing on the ground. (they moved the truck to a driveway)
Here is a pic
Found out the four switches were for lights that were on the headache rack(no longer there)
The cable is setup for controling the idle, but it was not adjusted correctly. I'm thinking he put it in and it didn't work like he had hoped or that it worked its self loose.
Got to drive the truck, it ran out fine, plenty of power.
Oil on the front of the engine looked wet but still nothing on the ground. (they moved the truck to a driveway)
Here is a pic
02-06-2004, 11:49 PM
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I would really check out that oil leak before you buy it the damage that happens from the dowel pin is not cheap and yes it will still run fine but will leak oil like crazy.
02-09-2004, 02:55 PM
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It doesn't look like it is leaking oil that bad. So I feel a little better about it. I made a bid on it so I will know if I'm getting it or not in about 3 week.
Thanks for everyones input.
I will let everyone know how it turns out.
I hate waiting
Thanks for everyones input.
I will let everyone know how it turns out.
I hate waiting
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