2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Back into a diesel

[AMatsonIII]

After being out of my Dodge diesel for 2 years i finnaly bought one. Picked up an 01 2500 4x4 auto transmission with 111k on it. Its been a while since I have had one. SO... I am planning on doing the lift pump, but not sure which way to go, just as an insurance policy. Other than that if you all can refresh my memory about the things i should be looking at imediately.

 

[JOdell]

On a 01 I would relocate the oil breather bottle on the front of the engine and check the radiator to see if it is cloged with oil gunk. In doing the lift pump do you mean relocated it to the frame? I just ordered the kit to do that. That is all I can think of. Welcome back to the diesel family. -Jason

 

[litespeed]

The relocation kit will serve you well. You may want to think about getting a fuel pressure gauge or at least a low fuel press. warning light. This way you will know of an impending failure.



Have you checked for any stored codes? Cycle the ignition switch 3 times and leave it in the on position on the 3rd time. Look in the odometer window and write down anything that comes up.



Some other things to check would be the entire front end. Lots of stuff to go wrong on the 4x4.



Be sure the bottoms of your doors are not rusting. If they are... ... Get on it and stop it before it is too late.



You also may want to change the rear axle fluid and have a look around while your in there. Especially if you dont know when the last change was. Same for the transmission. If your unsure of when it was last changed and it looks brown or smells burnt... . Stay away from the power flush and just have it changed.



Check the color of the fluid and look for leaks around the power steering (vacuum pump). The fluid should be clear not black. If it is black..... Siphon it out (or pump it out) and re-fill with new fluid.



As others have said. Re-locate the breather bottle immediately. If the radiator has visible black goo on it... ... . Pull the thing and have it cleaned (externally). This is a good time to change the coolant too. You can run the breather hose straight down and attach it to the sway bar. Takes about 5 minutes and saves you headaches down the road.





Be sure to check the brakes. Especially if you have 4 wheel discs. Cheap pads can sepearate from the backing and cause an expensive rotor failure. Also the parking brake on the disc setup may require an adjustment (shoes in side the rotor drum). Park it on a hill and check it. I thought mine was good until my truck almost rolled into a parked car. If you have rear drums instead of discs you are probably ok. Still worth checking though.



If the truck is "new to you"... ... You will probably want to have an oil anaylis done to "see" what is in your crankcase and see how things are holding up.



Be sure to use only Cummins/Fleetguard or equivalent filters. For reasons that are too many to list here. Just do it. Cheap insuranace.



You were sure NOT to get the "53" block right?



There is more... I'll post more if I remember.



AJ

 

[AMatsonIII]

Thanks for the info. I didn't bother to look at the block. I have a spare one at my parents house. My father had a 53 block with 115000 on it and cummins gave him a long block still even after the warranty went out. Then he went and totaled it. so i have all kinds of spare parts if i need them. Its just gonna be a fight between him me and my brother who gets to use them. The fuel pump relocation kit i am a little unsure of how its done so i will do a search. The breather tube too is new to me so i will also do a search. The rest i will get taken care of. I only paid 9000 for the truck so i don't mind sinking a a few bucks into it. THe gentlemen that had it took care of it mechanically just used it as a work truck so the body is a little used.

Alex, Glad to be back