Thoughts on 1998 Silverado

[K5dreamer]

Hey all, it is with a heavy heart I concede failure in keeping the Griz alive. Its just been one thing after another and long story short, its become far more of a project than I can handle right now. I recently got accepted as a volunteer firefighter and I need something reliable that I can drive daily and passes inspection. I may have found a buyer for the Griz and all its parts, and figured Id put that money towards a pickup.

One that has caught my eye is a 1998 Silverado 2500, 4x4, manual trans (have yet to figure out if its a 4 speed, NV3500, or NV4500), 6.5TD, locally for sale, 125k on the odometer, 2 new batteries, brakes, rims, 10 ply tires, tailgate, wiper reservoir and motor, passed VA safety/emissions in 2011.

Other features - Regular cab, 8' bed, Toolbox, Towing pkg, CD, power windows/locks, cruise, rear slider.

The rub, the IP is apparently bad. Haven't talked to the seller, so I dont know if it dosnt run at all, or just runs badly. I do have a spare military spec mechanical IP in the garage ready to go, recently rebuilt, but am not sure whats involved in converting the engine to mechanical injection, or if i want to, I might just take the IP off and have it rebuilt on its own.

Seller is asking $2500 negotiable. I figure I could sell the griz and all its parts for that, or at least close to it, and break even on the purchase. then just pay for the IP.

Thoughts?

 

[K5dreamer]

Ok, heard back from the guy. Its apparently at the mechanics shop now. He's gonna send me some pictures tomorrow. And told me I can come take a look at it if I want. He did verify its a 5 speed, so i can crawl under and see if its a 3500 or 4500, the difference is a cast in, and bolt on bell housing respectively I think.

He did say something weird, that at the shop the mechanic unhooked the temperature sensor to move it in and out of the shop, which sounds like its running, without a temp sensor. Does that sound like a fried PMD instead of a bad IP? From what I hear those PMD's are nothing but trouble, and notorious for failing. Guess I better look around the diesel forum for directions on putting my good old mechanical pump on that engine.

 

[Russell]

Ok, heard back from the guy. Its apparently at the mechanics shop now. He's gonna send me some pictures tomorrow. And told me I can come take a look at it if I want. He did verify its a 5 speed, so i can crawl under and see if its a 3500 or 4500, the difference is a cast in, and bolt on bell housing respectively I think.

He did say something weird, that at the shop the mechanic unhooked the temperature sensor to move it in and out of the shop, which sounds like its running, without a temp sensor. Does that sound like a fried PMD instead of a bad IP? From what I hear those PMD's are nothing but trouble, and notorious for failing. Guess I better look around the diesel forum for directions on putting my good old mechanical pump on that engine.

Switching to mechanical will be easy, pretty much bolt it on and run a wire for the fuel cutoff solenoid. You can re use your existing glow plug, gauge and starter wiring. Pull the ses bulb out of the cluster and leave the ECM in place to operate your speedometer.

The truck will have an NV4500 btw

 

[K5dreamer]

Ok, went by the shop where its parked to look at it. And had the good fortune of bumping into the tech that was working on it. Good guy, names Aaron, is apparently a GM Diesel master tech. Drives a 1993 silverado with the 6.5TD, and there were 5 other 6.2/6.5 diesel trucks on the lot. Talked to the guy for a while, and he absolutely knows his ****. Used to drive a 6.2L single turbo mud truck. Tried to get him on here, he said he didn't have any time for forums anymore.

Basically, according to Aaron, the IP has an internal fault, its ariating the fuel, tripping the optical sensor, and shutting off the engine. Unplugging the temp sensor keeps it out of closed loop, which means the engine never checks the optical sensor, so it stays running in limp home mode.

Apparently the Crossover pipe is rusted through, and the engine isnt building any boost. and there are pinhole leaks the length of the exhaust system.

The selling price of the truck is $2500, but the repair bill for everything the truck needs is also $2500, making it a solid $5000.

But the truck is GORGEOUS. far and away the cleanest reg cab, 8 foot bed, diesel truck ive seen, with a goosneck ball receiver in the bed. The interior looks like its in mint condition, but its price is twice what I can throw at it right now.

If theres anyone in the NOVA area thats interested, its an amazing deal, I'd buy it if I could afford it.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3054783232.html

Apologies to the mods for the link, but its not my rig, and wanted to share.