im looking at one because i have come to the conclusion that i dont got enough money for a pstroke or a CTD so this is my next option its a real real nice '96 looks babied only got 126k on the clock so i just want some un biast ( i know thats hard) opinions what goes wrong on these trucks what are the common problems (it wont be use for towing and never has) and also what is the life expectancy on these motors thanks guys

 

I don't want to be a wet blanket or a part pooper or whatever. i realise you want a diesel truck but seriously if you can't get a PSD or a CTD, just get a gasser.

It will just be a headache.

There are people who have had o.k luck, but there are a whole lot more that haven't.

Do yourself a favour and just stay away.

 

I would wholeheartedly and back pocket book back in the early 80's agree, stay away from them. Don't give up on the ctd,, Here in central Oklahoma there are tons of first gens for sale, I know that dosen't help your case where you live, but you might have to do some driving to get one. Goodluck,,,Rick

 

i dont know i have heard alot of bad things about them but also alot of good ones too that have gone 250-300k miles with very few problems but then i have also heard of rebulds at 120k so im tourn on the issue and it has never towed and never will tow much

 

We had one and it was a great truck. I beat the ever living tar out of it and it never once failed on us.

 

I saw this comparison:



Those Powerstroke pistons just don't look like they'd last to long. Both Duramax and PS look like they have the cutouts like gassers so the pistons can fit down between the counterweights on the crankshaft. The Cummins OTOH has full skirts which prevent the pistons from rocking as much which makes the rings last.

Cummins is a real diesel engine which was designed to be a diesel not a gasser which was redesigned to be a diesel wannabe. IMHO.

Edwin

 

well how much do you have to spend? You should be able to find a 12v for pretty cheap... even if it does have a lot of miles you know how long these things can go

 

That's a Duramax rod showing there for Chev, the 6.5 rods are even tinier and more brittle looking.

 

this i realize its not the motor im worried about its the rest of the truck with a 12v and ive been looking sence last november and still nothin and how long of a warrentee is on the 6.5 engine

 

I voted, get another kind of diesel. Surely you could find a cheap 1st generation, or cheaper powerstroke. I gave $8800 for my truck. Im not sure how much you are wanting to spend, or if you need 4x4 or anything, but I have seen 2wd 2nd generations for 4 or 5K dollars in the trader. In all honesty, i dont think the 6.5 is really that bad of a motor if you cant find a CTD in your price range. They seem to have some injection pump problems if you arent careful, but it seems like the motors are usually good for 200k miles. A boy at school has one that had the 1st motor blow up at about 200k, and now has 180k or so on the second engine. They own a lot of land and farm, so they get used. What is the price you can get the 6.5 for, and do you need 4x4, or what? Good luck

Eric

 

I have worked with the 6.2 6.5 for years and this is my experiance with them ... for the most part the 6.2 is prone to head gasket failer and higher milage engines develope cracks in the heads between the valves . I have pesonal experiances one 6.2 i owned had 325,000 (325K both heads cracked)miles on it with a head gasket about every 100K +- . I own 2 6.5TD and so far ok
but 1 is a 98 block the L65 this is one of the better engines to get as far as earlyer 6.5s some have block failer at the crank, and the electronic pumps are a sore spot for GM I have a 96 6.5 TD with a cracked block on #3 main its still running but ,for how long? also the glow plug sys. is also not real reliable and needs tending too a lot . would I buy one? not if I did not know its history the 6.2/6.5 is not something you want to tow with on long trips but make good every dav work trucks just a little low on the HP TQ

 

You are dead right about the glow plug system, I've used one as a farm truck and it had about 240,000 miles on it (second engine, not sure when the first rebuild was) and it would barely start in weather below 35-40 degrees. Smoked like a pg and was gutless. The auto tranny is really great behind it either.

 

I have a 92 6.5td, my first diesel (270K). Custom intake, straight pipe & pump turned up. Not as easy to work on as the CTD. My 6.5 has had head gasket with rebuilt heads (cracked @ 170K), and easily runs warm~hot. I used it to pull our TT to Wyoming one year, got there and back ok, just didn't have the power of a stock CTD. I now own a CTD and won't go back. My 6.5 is great for getting me to work and hauling firewood, no more TT towing.

I would buy a 1st gen dodge (12V), you won't regret it!

 

I would either get an older ctd or an older psd before a 6.5..... they will be much better for you.

 

i would get a 6.9 diesel (pre PSD) rather than the 6.5 heck id get a 6.2 rather than the 6.5...not trying to burst ur bubble...just dont wanna have to spent a fortune on pumps and injectors every year

i voted get another kind of diesel