new 6.2 diesel owner in the ranks

[Mountain_man]

I recently purchased an 85 GMC 1500 suburban 4x4 with 6.2L diesel. Had a turbo conversion by ATS done to it. 179k miles and well maintained by all records. The vehicle sat for 5 years when I purchased so I purged the fuel system and found no algae. Ran great driving it home 200 miles but the turbo seems to be rusted up a bit as it overheats on hills which causes the vehicle to warm up a bit. I stayed out of the turbo after the one incident and had no more trouble there.

The transmission filter was changed by previous owner which caused it to stop shifting correctly about 50-75 miles later he stated. Fluid level is good and clean, I got it to shift out of first by dropping into neutral and up into 2nd then 3rd shifted fine. Had no overdrive on the way home but being all hills I wasn't to concerned for that right then. TV cable has been adjusted properly however didn't fix the problem so I fear a new trans is in my future.

I love the way this thing runs. Stopped smoking shortly after tuneup was done (Before transport home).
Any suggestions on either fixing problems or places to begin? I am glad to be coming to the diesel end of things as I've always wanted one of these things.

Ohh I only paid 800 for this thing and the 4wd functions perfectly! Interior is great shape and most things work perfect. New AC system too.
Very happy with my find.
Josh

 

[tRustyK5]

Congrats, sounds like you got a 'smokin' deal...lol

Not much on the important side of the turbo to rust, as far as I know the biggest issue to worry about is shaft/impeller play. I have an ATS set-up here in my storage room. Everything is good, excpet the turbo needs a rebuild. The impeller hits the inside of the housing.

I'll second the opinion you're probably looking at a tranny soon.

Some things you should know about 6.2's. They love really regular oil changes. I'd go out on a limb and say with a turbo it's even more important. They do soot up the oil very quickly.

Get a boost guage and an EGT guage if it doesn't have one already. EGT's sustained above 1100 F are bad juju for a 6.2. A shortish pull above that is OK though.

Have a good look see at the harmonic balancer. Any rubber degradation Cracking, chunks missing) is your first warning to do something. Balancer probs lead to busted cranks.

Now you have to put up some pics!

Rene

 

[Mountain_man]

Any idea which rebuild kit to go with for the turbo? I'm feeling it's time for mine. It's a T04b35. rotomaster. I'm thinking it's the t04b series of rebuild kits that are needed but want to make sure it's not a specific one.

I have an EGT but for some reason it doesn't register so I'll be looking into that. boost goes up to 5psi (when I was in it) and shortly after would overheat in otherwords begin smoking which is why I didn't engage it on the trip after that point.

Harmonic balancer is the next thing on my list tomorrow to check.

Pics will be coming soon.

 

[diesel4me]

Welcome to the club!..I bought a '85 K10 Suburban with a 6.2 (no turbo) last November--still sitting where I parked it though,haven't found the cash to put it on the road yet--or fix the 700R4,which I'm told loses reverse after a 10-15 mile ride,it wont shift into or stay in OD either..

I bought a real decent tailgate for 40 bucks to replace the rotted one on it(wish it was a barn door truck,but no such luck)..--the underside is in real solid shape,it came from washington state,then VT,and I got it from the 3rd owner..runs OK,needs glow plugs and someone swiped the AC compressor,but I'm not too concerned about having AC here ..I got a complete plow setup to put on it too recently!..cant wait till I get it assembled..

 

[DieselWarrior]

Opinions may vary, but I feel most would agree with me, esp. with the ULSD diesel at the pumps now days, but I *always* add some Stadadyne Performance Additive to every pump full!

I was having bad run, rich exhaust and smoke on accel/load until I started running it, now it "runs like a new old truck". :-)

http://www.stanadyne.com/view.php?id=74