6.5 TD Advice requested: blown HG; what to do?

[ausgeflippt951]

This love affair with my '94 6.5 TD has definitely had its ups-and-downs. Last few months, pretty much all downs.

So, it looks like I have a HG failure and am trying to determine what to do. All of these options will result in me selling the truck as soon as I am done. Pretty fed up.

The truck's not worth anything; in running condition it will fetch $5k, considering the low miles and the new things I have replaced.

1) Bite the bullet and replace the HG, then sell. It's really not that bad (actually that's a lie...the passenger side bank is a bitch).

2) Do not pass Go or collect $200. Stop working on the truck immediately; it's not worth doing anything more and you'll help the next schmuck who decides to replace the HG. Sell for $2k (or something really low since it isn't running).

3) Finish the work I had planned (injectors and exhaust) but do not touch the head. At least the truck will be in running condition. Sell for $3k (or something).



The key here is that unless the HG is much easier than I am thinking, I just don't have time for option #1. I could do option 3; at least it'd be in running condition (even if it does still smoke on startup).


For some context, here's how I found the issue:
I currently have the passenger side of the motor apart. I am in the process of replacing injectors and exhaust.

For the first 10-20 seconds on startup, the truck blows white smoke (unburnt fuel, not coolant) and does not run on all cylinders. Based on copious research, this is most likely an issue with injectors or glow plugs.

I had already replaced glow plugs and controller, and given that the truck has 107k miles, it was due for new injectors anyway.



So when removing the crossover pipe, I found considerable amount of coolant/water in the pipe. Didn't appear to be condensation. Upon removing a glow plug, coolant literally started draining out.

[cmartin]

I saw one with a sbc in place of the diesel. If it was me I would sell off anything you can easily and move on.

You might already need a new injection pump as is, time is up.

Sorry to hear this.

[Cliff Claven]

as nice as the 6.5 TD seems, as fun as it might be, recognizing it is an old school big block motor, as cool as it is to modify--and i say this as a former 6.5 owner who loved his vehicle--you need to kick the habit. there are better motors out there that are just as fun but far easier to live with. find a ford 7.3. or better still, a dodge cummins. if you like your truck, you can do a cummins conversion.

the 6.5 TD is a tank and a beast and a blast to mod. but the cranks fail from the torque and the harmonics. the PMD needs to be relocated or it cooks and fails. the waste gate is a massively inefficient design. the rubber damper on the crank pulley dries out and fails resulting in crank fatigue. there is no intercooler so you always have to watch your temps, particularly when towing; in fact the majority of these motors have been killed as the result of running hot. the lift pumps fail regularly. the injection pump can fail (big $$$$$ item). the list goes on....

100k on that motor means it's barely broken in. but your head gasket failed? that means it likely ran too hot at some point. you have coolant where it does not belong. your engine internals are being trashed. at best it needs a complete tear down.

i'd say the motor is not worth fixing.

i moved from a 6.5 TD to the ford 7.3. went from regular tinkering and monitoring and fixes and parts replacements, and watching the temps, to doing nothing but changing the oil and filter and driving. never even think about the motor, and never ever run out of power (whereas the 6.5 used to struggle on hot days pulling a load up a hill).

[good hands]

Absolutely, positively, without question, stay away from 6.0 Fords if you decide to go in another direction.

[ausgeflippt951]

To be honest, I hadn't expected that response from the likes of you two. Very insightful. Thanks for the thoughtful replies.

I've been lately debating just slapping a new HG on there and selling it immediately.


I can fortunately say that I am not terribly attached to this truck, nor even to a diesel in particular. Had a number of trucks over the years, of various makes and models. I bought it on a whim for pennies just because it was available.


Agree with your comments about being just broken in. I have personally never overheated it (I make sure to stay below the 190 mark), have relocated the PMD, have installed tranny, boost, and EGT gauges, etc. Have been religious about fluid changes. And with 107k mi, this shouldn't be happening. :roll:




So then, is it better to sell it in running condition (i.e., finish install of the exhaust) or just stop where I am? I have sold non-running cars before, and I'd rather not do it again. Pretty major PITA to finally get rid of it.






For the record, one friend of mine suggested just running without coolant -- no more leaks! Another suggested using diesel as the coolant. :lol:



We've been seriously considering a Cayenne diesel. Hadn't planned to pull that plug for another year...maybe it's time. :twisted:

[Vicegrip]

Get it running with as little $ and effort as you can and sell it "As is where is" add the C-list standard tag line "I think all it needs is...." Running opens up the pool of buyers. Non running is the world of the bone pickers.

[Roo]

I was listening to your gut and it sounds like you should get it running, sell it (for more than a non-running vehicle), and put the money towards your next tow vehicle.

[cmartin]

Non running is the world of the bone pickers.

Sad to say but that's just about where running 6.5's fall these days.

If you have the energy, get it going. But understand it's value isnt much different either way. I had one and it worked ok for what it was but....

Good luck

[Der ABT]

if your not attached to diesel. start looking for an ecoboost...those things do rediculously well for what they are....ask scott, hunt, antonio, im sure a few other towing enclosed trailers with no issues.

we have a 6.0 but it has been a workhorse for us...120k on the stock motor and then did the preventative egr,headstuds,blah blah blah.....i think we are 200+ with no major issues whatsoever....i know scott went sorta down this path and had plenty of problems but i think that had to do with the "fix" work done on his.

i actually stayed away from diesel when i bought my Ex....the 9k+ premium for diesels did not make sense with the cost of gas etc...i just go ALOT slower up hills...off the line, etc.

[ausgeflippt951]

See, there's the funny part. The 6.5 TD is not a fast motor...modern gas engines have more HP and torque, and by a fair bit. As a point of reference, when fully loaded and pulling my steel open trailer, I can't get faster than 45 mph up the steepest hill heading back home on Rt 7.

I've driven Greg's ecoboost -- terrific motor. Definitely things to consider. This is why this is frustrating: I hadn't planned on purchasing a real tow vehicle (i.e., newer) until next year. And with the wedding in two weeks...

[Vicegrip]

See, there's the funny part. The 6.5 TD is not a fast motor...modern gas engines have more HP and torque, and by a fair bit. As a point of reference, when fully loaded and pulling my steel open trailer, I can't get faster than 45 mph up the steepest hill heading back home on Rt 7.

I've driven Greg's ecoboost -- terrific motor. Definitely things to consider. This is why this is frustrating: I hadn't planned on purchasing a real tow vehicle (i.e., newer) until next year. And with the wedding in two weeks...Just changed my vote to sell it as is where is right now unless you can get it done in a single day and you have the day open. Otherwise drop the tools and focus on the future wife/life. If it does not sell before the wedding perhaps bolt it back together after things settle down.

[HoodPin]

Happy wife = Happy life.

But did you know.......

Mess up the wedding.........solo be bedding. :cool:

[cmartin]

I can't get faster than 45 mph up the steepest hill heading back home on Rt 7.

I had that issue and found my lift/fuel pump was bad, very common issue. Should not the be the case. I 'upgraded' to a 5.3 gas motor and it's much easier to live with. I think the torque curve of the 6.5 was better for hauling/towing but overall I'm happy with the gas motor.

[N0tt0N]

Carefully orchestrated this could be worth a longer honeymoon for sure.

"Honey, I love you so much I sold my favorite ever truck to buy your wedding present. Some day..... some day if you ever don't need something and my priorities begin to percolate up through the grinds.... maybe I'll get a tow vehicle and get to do again what I am called to be... some day... No! No! I couldn't go out and buy it now! Our plans.... my love for you... Are you sure? OK, BRB, its on hold over at Porsche of Tysons" <hero exit stage left>

[ausgeflippt951]

Hahaha. I can't say Anisa's too happy with this purchase. I've made some great choices on old cars over the years...but I've also made some pretty terrible ones.

And unfortunately, few of the good choices were when Anisa and I were dating...so she's almost only seen the bad.


I'm going to throw it up on CL right now. I'll ask a hefty sum ("RARE C1500 with 6.5 TD!!!"), see if I get any bites. If it doesn't sell until after the wedding, then I'll deal with it then.

[Potomac-Greg]

You mentioned the Cayenne diesel as an option. The Euro diesels are great provided that you don't expect them to tow like a big 'Murican diesel. Great mileage and from what I have seen, far fewer problems than even the "good" American diesels. You fill them up and you go. And they're totally suitable as daily drivers. But once you get around 6-7,000 lbs behind them, the unibody and wheelbase limits will kick in.

[ausgeflippt951]

Yeah, that's pretty much why we want it. Before these shenanigans with the truck, the plan had been to replace both the truck and BMW with tow-capable SUV. And the fact that a Porsche gets 30 mpg makes it pretty awesome.

Unfortunately due to cost, we hadn't planned on purchasing one this year -- we were going to give it a year for the 2013 MY to depreciate before buying.

But who knows, maybe after forking over a small fortune for this wedding (and the house, before that), we'll feel disinclined to start saving and just bite the bullet on a Cayenne. :roll:



Seriously though, I'm not yet sure what we'll do. Good news is that we don't need to replace the truck immediately.

[Cliff Claven]

even running, the 6.5 is worth almost nothing. you'll never get any useful power out of it without changing the waste gate controller, doubling the boost, chipping it, and adding water injection, in addition to cooling mods and open exhaust. if you're into spending money and time on mods and you don't mind 11 mpg, it's a fun platform, but if you want something that you can drive endlessly and kick the sh!t out of without ramifications, then the 6.5 sucks. just dump it and don't look back. not even worth the bad karma of selling to someone unawares.

x2 the ford 6.0 is sub-par, but you CANNOT beat the super duty for ruggedness and ability to withstand a "real work" beating. GMs and Dodges (apart from the Cummins motor) are kids' toys in comparison. best solution and greatest bang for the buck is to perform a cummins conversion on a 6.0 super duty. and then you have the best of both worlds and a truck to drive until you are too old to drive.

just my humble opinion

[jerome951]

And with the wedding in two weeks...

Invite the right people to your reception, provide beer and parts, and you'd probably have a running truck as your wedding present. ;-)

[Vicegrip]

Invite the right people to your reception, provide beer and parts, and you'd probably have a drunken loud crude joke telling mob of greasy car nuts hitting on everyone from the MIL to the wait staff as your wedding present. ;-)fixed!

[Dr K]

Invite the right people to your reception, provide beer and parts, and you'd probably have a drunken loud crude joke telling mob of greasy car nuts hitting on everyone from the MIL to the wait staff as your wedding present. ;-)

fixed!

:D :D :p

[roundel]

:D :D :p

With crap covered fingers.

[Dr K]

With crap covered fingers.

Hey, ask Bill Miller why he ran to the other side of the garage during my suspension refresh (hint: I was installing the torsion bars and my hands were covered with fresh grease!).