Question: 97 K2500 6.5TD questions

[TRoberts]

I've been looking for a truck for quite a while now. I've talked myself out of several trucks in the past, but think I'm going to try to get this one. It's a very nice Cheyenne that's lived in South Carolina most of it's life. Vinyl floor mats and seats, manual windows and locks, but has cruise control and a/c. 197k on the truck. Injection pump replaced at 150k. Price is $4900.

My questions though, is how do turbos do on short trip vehicles. My commute to work is 7 miles round trip at 35mph. That's probably not going to even get the engine warm on this truck. Will the turbo live in these conditions for 90% of it's use? It will make trips on the interestate occasionally, usually about an hour one way plus any running around in town we do. I don't want to spend the money on the truck to just start trashing turbos because of lack of use.

Thoughts?

[TRoberts]

Lots of views guys, any thoughts?

Also, search feature is giving me an error message.

[JMJNet]

I don't think turbo is trashed just because you are driving it short distance.
At least I have not heard any problem with your concern.

Where did you hear this facts?

[TRoberts]

Well, I know that oil is designed to be at a certain temperature to protect the best. Also, that turbos are very sensitive to their oil and operating conditions. Kinda put 2 and 2 together, came up with (2(4/2)) and wanted to check my thought process.

[JMJNet]

It is true but I have had my burb for 5 years, in most cases it is driven short distance and never have any turbo problem or engine problem other than PMD giving up or brakes or coolant leak. Which is normal for this aging truck.

What is my experience has been if the vehicle has NOT been driven AT ALL, then the oil started leaking because the seals started to harden and brittle. However, that happens to old vehicle too.

So, the vehicle will be worn out whether or not it is driven. LOL!!!

[Tommygunner]

Turbos on these trucks are fine for town use and short trips. They dont even make hardly any boost at low speeds. Definatly wont get hot enough to do any harm. LOL the GM8 turbo is the least of my worries on my 6.5 I drive it around town as a grocery getter and short trips all the time.

[TRoberts]

Thanks guys! All good news! Makes me feel a little better about getting this truck.

[dreese_us]

I've had my 96 for 11 years now, bought it with 52,000 miles and turned 134,000 today, never replaced the turbo! I keep the oil changed and will check the turbo for free play from time to time. PMD's were my only real headache until I moved it to the front bumper. Also starting to have issues with brake lines rusting out, but a truck from down south may not have that problem. Just make sure it has been well maintained.

[TRoberts]

I plan to keep on top of cleaning it. Hoping to devote about $20 a month to washing it and a couple times a year, cleaning out from under it and painting it with rustoleum.

[sctrailrider]

Originally Posted by TRoberts

I plan to keep on top of cleaning it. Hoping to devote about $20 a month to washing it and a couple times a year, cleaning out from under it and painting it with rustoleum.

For the paint for the frame and under side look at "POR15", (paint over rust 15). It's the best I think, where is SC is the truck, I think I saw one on CL here that sounds a lot like this one...