Used Ford Diesel - What to Check?

We're looking at a 1992 F250 with a diesel engine. Is there anything in particular we should be aware of with this engine? Any particular tests that are not ordinarily done on gas engines? Any other advice?

Thanks in advance, Tony Marylyn DeGregorio snipped-for-privacy@smokeyjoe.net Marylyn DeGregorio snipped-for-privacy@smokeyjoe.net

Reply to
M. DeGregorio
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The 6.9 was also a fuel hog. Suggest you look at vehicles of at least

1994 model vintage. There, you at least can choose from naturally aspirated, IDI turboed or DI PowerStroke.
Reply to
Tyrone

This is 7.3 NA with 104K miles. Looks goood in and out but heard about problems with the engine block of some diesels, pin holes that develop that in turn cause major engine problems. Any comments on this and what to look for(oil discolor, antifreeze?)

Thanks for any help.

Tony

Marylyn DeGregorio snipped-for-privacy@smokeyjoe.net

Reply to
M. DeGregorio

Get a fleetguard coolant test strip and test the coolant. A good reading on sca (dca4 or fw16 as Ford calls it) doesn't guarantee the level was always kept up, but at least you know somebody put some in it at some time. If you can't find the strips, you can get the here:

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Reply to
Chris Hill

The pin holes are caused by cavitation. The cylinder walls flex as the engine is running. As cylinder pressure reduces, the wall moves quickly inward. So fast in fact that, small bubbles are created in the cooling jacket on the wet side of the cylinder wall. The same as a marine propeller, the exploding bubbles cause the metal to deteriorate, eventually causing very small pinholes between the combustion chamber and the water jacket. The additive that Chris Hill mentions, prevents the cavitation from occurring in the first place. You can test for the presence of the additive with the test strips but as mentioned, this only confirms the presence at that particular time. If the seller is clueless about the use of SCA's, you will know that he has not maintained the engine and you should run from the deal.

Reply to
Tyrone

Thanks for all the advice!

Reply to
degregorio

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