Anybody know the skinny on GM 6.5 Turbo Diesel?

[SteveAZ]

Looking at a used work truck. 97 GMC HD 6. 5 TDiesel, w/18' Box



Okay a few steps below a Cummins I'm sure. But is it a POS! Stay clear of it, or decent motor etc.



Has 55,000 on it now.



Thanks:-:-{}

 

[FD5]

1995 GMC Suburban

Hope this helps, we (fire dept. ) bought a GMC Suburban new in 95, it now has 51k miles. ONLY problem we had was the injector pump. Had to be rebuilt 3 times in the first 2 years and twice since then. Oh yea, the blower motor and fan switch. Injector pump repairs covered under warranty. If you can, get a dealer sheet on repairs by VIN#. Any dealer repairs should show up. Good luck, should make a decent work truck even though it's not a Cummins.

 

[LSMITH]

My unce ran a 97 6. 5TD 2500 4x4 up until last fall when he got a Dmax, about 120K miles I think. He loved it and had few problems, one injection pump and some other minor stuff. The front end was a constant problem though, it never did stop eating front tires no matter what was done. That was the first time I have ever seen a vehicle that drove perfectly that still ate tires. That problem is fairly common. He pulled with it constantly and he pulled heavy. It worked fine but was pretty underpowered for heavy pulling. It would still pull with just about any factory gas motor out there, but nothing like a Cummins or a PSD.



If the price is really good I would buy one, but the price would have to be REALLY good. The engine is probably the most problematic diesel out there right now and the truck will not take much abuse without breaking off shock mounts and alignment problems etc. Personally I would rather have a Ford over the GM, it is a lot tougher and has a much better engine. A CTD would be my first choice but if a nice ford came along I would buy it.

 

[SteveAZ]

Thanks for the info. Personally if its a GM would rather get a big block gas in a 97 (454, 496 or 502). Had good luck with the 454's and the Ford 460 in mid 90's work trucks.



Just pends on the "deal" I guess. But it sounds like it's not a POS either, so I won't let it scare me too much.



I'll check the VIN. Good idea!



I saw a F650 with a Cummins ISB. It was a motor home. I had to start it up. Sure felt weird sitting in a Super Duty cab, with the cummins shaking it. Actually, it felt awesome!

 

[HC]

I'd bet money the 6. 5 won't start up in cold weather with the same reliability as the Cummins. I know my old 6. 2 liter Chevy never did. The 6. 2 liter was also picky about fuel, and would stall with some brands. A dose of Stanadyne or other treatment in each tank was needed to prevent the cold weather stalling.

AZ has some cold weather; I'd be very tempted to consider a gasser Chevy or keep looking for a used Dodge.

 

[Steve Campbell]

There is a 98 12valve for sale on another thread here. Good price!!!

 

[McDowra]

In our shop we work on more 6. 5 Chevys than dodge and ford combined. Not because there are more Chevys because 6. 5 is/was a poorly designed motor. Weak block, heads crack easily, and fuel system thaT is expensive to repair.

 

[SteveAZ]

Thanks for the info. Last thing I need is a another heap to throw money at. We're looking to replace a 96 Izuzu NPR TD. Drive train seems okay, but the truck over all is a heap. Don't need another one. Will likely stay away from this one.

 

[RoadGoesOnForever]

OK, Im not defending the 6. 2/6. 5 even though thats whats in my truck right now, but Ive never had any problems with it other than it being underpowered. Its got over 200000 miles on it and I beat the tar out of it and it still runs and starts great. Oh, and the fuel system is by far the CHEAPEST to repair. A Powerstroke fuel system is I believe in the $3000 range to replace and a Cummins with a VP44 or P7100 with the injectors can easily top 2000. I replaced the injectors for 200 and the injector pump is only about 300 and a newer 6. 5 is about 500 I believe for a mechanical pump. Just my . 02

 

[_MACKIN]

ok

owned the oringinal ( first year )6. 5 td only put 36000 trouble free miles on it. Somebody stole it. Stop laughing. This was the mechanical year didn't have those troublesome pumps. My friend still has his 300,0000 and climbing no series repair just radiator ,alt, batteries minor stuff. Oh 2 wheel drive dually. That has had no repair to frontend. Now my 1998 what can I say LIFT PUMP LIFT PUMP LIFT PUMP- primer pump, primer pump, primer pump this ones the worst . You never now till you change filter will not prime or just lose prime. No mechanical prime that sucks. STUCK $160. 00 for pump dealer . 4x4 yup eats tires got to rotate like clockwork.

Not brand bashing just the truth... ..... MACKIN

 

[danandamy]

I'VE GOT TWO WORDS FOR YA........

ROD CHUNKER!!



dxdan

 

[hammersley]

amcintyre ?????

Thanks for joining - really like your two cents worth along with the rest of us "yahoo's. " And got to give you a lot of credit for coming in with us. I'm sure we can all earn a lot.



This is a basic GM ?? regarding the 4WD system. Does your DMAX have the capability of having it in 4wd all the time? What I mean, can you run her in 4wd when the roads are twisty, and sometimes slippery and then not? Or is she just like ours and a part-time system? I thought GM made an all-wd option on the 1500, suburban and tahoe but not sure if they carried that option over to the HD models.

 

[_MACKIN]

No I can't does not have that option.

I believe it would be (is) limited to the suv models . My 99 zr2 blazer had it. Tahoes have it.

MAC