chevy 6.5-good or bad?

[jkh]

My boss is looking at getting a newer truck and has been finding alot of the type he wants that have the 6. 5 turbo diesel in them.
He asked me how they were and I told him as far as I know they are "boat anchors",but I don't know enough details to tell himm exactly why he should avoid them.
I know they are low on power for towing and I'vew heard they eat injector pumps but can anyone who'se dealt with them give me a little more input so I know why to tell this guy to stay away from them?

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1997 2500 4x4,Auto,Cal. motor 48 state intake,3. 54's,Amsoil throughout,DiPricol egt/trans temp/boost gauges,Amsoil air filter, stock plate slid all the way fwd. ,star wheel turned 20 clicks

 

[BCFAST]

well... for starters, it's a V8! that's the first problem and a good enough reason to look no further! When I encounter someone who 'just doesnt get it', I go with the big rig explanation. . they are all I-6's for a reason!

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54, 5spd, Green, #12 plate, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[maint.man]

My experience with em' is if they make it past 100k then they'll usually go 200 but most of them don't see 100k. They make decent milage and have about the same power of a stock 350 gas. I've owned one and know several people who still have em' but after one ride in a Cummins powered truck they all seem to say "man I wish my truck ran like this". Just my . 02.

 

[Wirenut]

You may as well look at it as a gas motor that sounds a little better. You have to have things fixed, like you do on gas motors, the fuel mileage is only slightly better than a gas motor, and the overall engine life is about the same... . as a gas motor. I choose those over a gas although, just cause it's a diesel!

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• '93 250 LE 4x4 5spd 4:10 Loaded,dual 5" chrome stacks,12cm² turbo(37psi),PW injectors,K&N,pyro/boost,US Gear E-Brake,tool box,CB,10" AR rims, 285/75/16 Bf goodrich. "wirenut_21529" on Yahoo Messenger
• '97 Ford B-Series school bus (5. 9 Cummins!)I'm gonna Bomb it!
• '94 GMC 2500 6. 5L Turbo

PICTURES.

 

[RobG]

If he HAS to get a truck with the 6. 5, be sure he gets a really good extended warranty (one that goes well over 100k), or make sure he gets a '97 model or newer. It took them until the 97 model year to fix the injection pump problems. Up until then, they'd die about every 20k. And I know at least two people who have experienced this problem, and ultimately got rid of their trucks because of it.

Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate, 4. 10, USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, DD EZ, DD3 Injectors, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc. On order: Southbend Clutch, HX-40

 

[DJP]

A former co worker had a crew cab dually with the 6. 5 diesel. The injection pump would go out every 30K miles, he would only get 12 -14 mpg, and the turbo is powered from the right bank only. Go figure, the exhaust from four cylinders spools a turbo that powers all eight.

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, Banks Intercooler, 'Ol Blue Specials, K&N, Full Boar Muffler, 3" exhaust, Diesel Dynamics Stage 1 kit, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K miles.

 

[Sled Puller]

HAHAHA! Good post! We all needed a laugh!
Where is Mr. B on this one?
Gene

 

[Timinator]

A very reputable diesel technician that I know loves the Chevy diesels. I asked why. He said because they are so unreliable as to make it possible to put his kids through college!

 

[Sled Puller]

Brian,
You are right! The Cummins 4 banger would be perfect in a half ton! And STILL have more power and life than the 6. 5!
Gene

 

[NVR FNSH]

touche, MGM.

That would make a great set-up. However, I thought we were dealing in the world of reality and not custom built trucks #ad


Can you share that stuff you're taking?

Brian

 

[danandamy]

6. 5 good or bad? They are actually on the cutting edge of modern technology. They have a self expanding oil pan (it expands when one of the connecting rods goes banging around in there). They are one of the few diesel motors than can match a gasoline motor for overheating when pulling a load. It has those wonderful side terminal batteries and best of all, it's made by GM! LOL!
Have a nice day! #ad


Daniel

 

[Sled Puller]

Who was it that said in another thread, Chevy diesels are just time bombs with wheels, or something close to that effect!

 

[NVR FNSH]

I've always thought that GM was actually pretty smart - they are the only mfg to put a diesel in a 1/2 ton.

For a guy that just needs a the volume of a pickup bed to haul stuff - think duck decoys or simalar - that doesn't weigh much but takes up a lot of space a 1/2 ton with the 6. 2 or 6. 5 is probably a pretty good truck. Will it haul or tow as much as a CTD? No, but not everybody needs or wants that capability.

Just a thought... .

Brian

 

[DJP]

danandme,
Reminds me of a comment a co worker recently told me (he happens to own a Chevy truck).
He said, "You can borrow anything of mine except for my truck and my wife. That's because they're both old and easy to throw a rod in".

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, Banks Intercooler, 'Ol Blue Specials, K&N, Full Boar Muffler, 3" exhaust, Diesel Dynamics Stage 1 kit, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K miles.

 

[SRT-6]

I just rode in a 96 Suburban with a 6. 5 turbo,with 257,000 miles on it the owner bought it new and has had to replace the injection pump once and the turbo at 230K. It still runs great (for a 6. 5)Other than that he has had no problems other than alternators. And he claims 25 mpg empty. I'm not a fan of GM diesels just relaying information.

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88 GMC CREW CAB 4X4 89 6BT,NO INTERCOOLER YET,AUTO METER LIQUID FILLED GAUGES,NV4500,NP205,4. 10's,35 BFGA/TKO,6" LIFT,DETROIT LOCKER,16CM,K&N,3. 5 EXHAUST,BD "PRINCE OF DARKNESS"INJECTORS 96 215 hp on the way. J. Mason

 

[Dr.Evil]

Every Company that I know that makes diesels has made a V-8, as well as other "Opposed" styles of cylinder configurations. That INCLUDES Cummins, Detroit Diesel, CAT, DEERE, MACK, International Harvester, Perkins, and Mercedes. Over-the-road trucks use in-line engines for serviceability and packaging. I guess if that Kenworth You just passed had an opposed 2 cyl. engine You'd buy a pickup with a 2 cyl. engine then?
DENNY..... Just tryin' to understand Your Logic -vs- My 40 yrs. of Experience... ... ... .