Is It Serious?

[Deezul1]

I just looked at a 96 3500 5spd today with 209,000 on it. It is so clean it looks repainted but I see no sign that it has been. It drives good but on return to the dealer I opened the hood and see oil smoke (blowby) coming from around the injection pump and the side of the block around there is wet from oil and the road draft tube underneath is puffing smoke also. This doesnt look good to me. The price is good and the truck is in great shape with with full Ranchhand front and back. Waddya think.
Thanks
John

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[illflem]

With that many miles and possibly poor maintenance it could be rebuild time. See if they will knock at least half of the rebuild cost off the price,that way you will have some $ towards the work if it needs it. Check harder to find if it has been repainted,a rig with that amount of use is bound to have some scratches on it. My experience with used rigs that have been recently repainted is that they are trying to cover something up like an accident. If that has happened test drive to make sure it tracks/stops straight,feel the tires after the drive and see if one side of any of the tires feel hotter. Hate to see you get a bucket full of problems,although the price is right,you may end up paying in the end.

 

[Ramrod]

Well here goes.

I just recently sold my 96 2500 w/138,000. I purchased a 98 3500 12v from another TDR member. The 98 had 249,000 miles. It too had oil below the injection pump. The guy told me it was a 700. 00 part. With him having a 98, 98 and 2001 all red 3500's it was low on his priority list. I spoke with Michael Primamore @ Autowurks Diesel about what I had found per my personal inspection. His opinion at the purchase time a few months back concured with the sellers statement. It turns out to be a seal that is not a seperate part you can order. You have to replace this whole thing. I don't recall what its called but is it located below the pump right behind the timing case. The truck was oily all over the wheel well and suspension and everything. With the high miles needless to say I got a deal on the truck. It too was in very good cosmetic condition. With diamond plate running boards the paint was in great shape without any dent and only a few small scratches.

With having the truck now for 3 months I have had no problems with it at all. It tows awesome. Better than my 96.

Its going into Autowurks in early January for installation of all the goodies written about here on our site.

My opinion to you would be to have a educated 3rd party(maybe a fellow experienced TDR member in your area give you a hand) with an honest unbiased opinion. Maybe even do a CARFAX report.

I still shake my head and smile when I think I actually down graded and upgraded at the same time. I miss my 96 but really like the 98 12V.

If you would like I would discuss pricing privatly with you. Just drop me an e-mail.

Godd Luck with whatever you do and Happy Holidays to all.

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98 3500 12v 4x4 Quad Cab SLT Larimie, All the bombing parts accumulating on my workbench. A few more on order, and a few coming from Santa.

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Porsche Club Racing Trackcar, Totally Bombed
Cannondale Killer V 900 SL

 

[Turbo Thom]

Folks:
If it is the same thing. I had a dodge mech. tell me the oil we see on the side of our engines is from the power steering/ vacuum pump. He said the best way to cure the leak was to remove the unit, seperate the two, take the gasket between the two, clean very well, and put a very thin coat of black silicone gasket material on each side, let cure, put back together never to leak again. When the weather gets warm again , thats what I will do.
Hopes this helps.
Preston

PS. If the 98 pulls that much better than the 96, it is really bad.

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96 3500 Black 5 speed turbo diesel, SLT, with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , with other goodys on the way.

 

[Deezul1]

Oil leaks dont bother me much, its the smoke that looks like its coming from the area of the front of the pump or timing gear cover, smoke lightly from the oil filler tube and also the road draft tube underneath all of this at idle after a good warm up run on a cool day with no load

 

[DavidGardner]

You should have a compression test done. Smoke comming out the draft tube (which is the crankcase ventilation) might mean you are getting some blow by from worn rings. If the compression checks o. k. then probably a bad seal or gasket some place. Just a thought.

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95 slt auto,bd exhaustbrake, TST 230/605 plate K&N airfilter, primelok fuelfilter relocator. Who say"s six in row don"t go?