What to look for in high mileage 92 Ford Diesel?

[ramble_on]

The thread title pretty much sums what I'm getting at. I found this truck...
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/1691049566.html and I'm pretty interested in it. Kelly Blue Book puts his price about $1,200 over a private party deal for a truck of that year and specks.

If I get serious about picking the truck up I would take it to a diesel shop and get them to test the oil and give it an inspection.

I have heard of people getting over 500,000+ from some of these trucks and then others die early deaths.

If the steering components haven't been replaced by now I would imagine that would need to be done.

What are some red flags to look out for?

I have started a few of these threads over the past week and I hope I'm not rubbing anybody the wrong way. Just trying to pick some knowledgeable brains

 

[cocco78]

Read up on cavitation! If coolant is not properly treated it eats away at the block and into the cyliders. There are test strips available from Ford or IH dealers to test for the coolant. Also take the radiator cap off and see if there is gas or oil floating in it, also check the oil for milky white sludge. I'm not sure but if you start the truck and let it run for a few minutes, not enough to warm it up, shut it off and take of the radiator cap is should not be under pressure. If it is there might be a crack in the cylinder wall. Also check for white smoke at the exhaust which would be coolant. Cavitation was only a problem on the 7.3's until the mid 90's when Ford realized this was a problem and began using special coolant in the trucks.

 

[redthies]

The coolant issue is bang on, also the E4OD auto trans is great if rebuilt, but if not, could be costly. They are a weak link. In general, they are solid trucks. Get it checked out, and offer accordingly. Good luck!

 

[pCox]

www.oilburners.net/articles/cavitationartic.html for the cavitation article

Oodles of info on this forum.

Google is your friend.

 

[psychohawk]

Well, I bought my 91, 210k miles, for about the same price, ad read nice and sweet like your CL ad, mine: rebuilt tranny, new interior, brakes over hauled. So I get her home and in the four months of ownership I've also had to do the following: rebuild transfer case, new alternator, voltage regulator, new radiator, chase down electrical shirt, new tires, rear brake problems, rpm sensor went out, dash lights went out, ac stopped cooling (yep, PO just charged it before selling) so, sealed / charged ac and converted to 134. There's prolly more, that's the big stuff.

My advice? Careful of those old trucks unless you have a pile o cash laying around. if not, get receipts for maintenance history ... oh, cativation + e4od ... look out, no history like others said.