hello, I'm thinking about buying a 98 SLT 2500 4x4 turbo diesel, 67000km [approx 40,000 mi.] wondering about reliability, maintenance, fuel economy, etc. if anyone reads this, any info would be great. thanks

The biggest issue with the 6.5 is the pump mounted driver (PMD) which there have been alot of failures. GM has extended the warranty on the 1994-1999 injection systems from 10 yrs or 120k miles. They also had problems overheating, I believe that in 1997 they switched over to a dual thermostat housing to help keep the engine cooler. If your going to towing anything you would be better off stepping up to a dmax or powerstroke or cummins. For me, fuel economy was the best part about owning a 6.5. I averaged 22+ mpg. Your gear ratio will make a difference on your fuel mileage. As for maintenace I changed my oil every 2500 miles and fuel filter every 15k. The only problem I had was with the PMD. The 6.5 has a really bad reputation for injector problems because of the PMD.

One thing to watch out for on the 97-99.5 is block cracking due to oil pistion spray chanels. If the vehicle is in good shape which it should be with only 40k miles on it, financially prepare yourself to replace the motor, even use this fact as a bargaining tool when negotiating purchase price. You could get a worth while deal, even facing a motor replacement. You might not ever experience motor failure due to cracks, but it can't hurt to be in the KNOW!

Don't let everything you read in these forums scare you. Yes, there are IP and Block problems. But for every guy on this board who had problems, there is probably 10 guys out there who own these engines without ever knowing there ARE problems. I mean, nobody ever logs on to say "No problems here, everything is just peachy!"

Also, remember, if you are thinking about being able to make power comperable to a PSD or Cummins', its gonna take a WHOLE lot of money, and your reliablilty will suffer as a result.

If you understand the 6.5, there is nothing to fear...

Tim

... The 6.5 has a really bad reputation for injector problems because of the PMD."injector pump" problems, not "injector" problems.

The injectors in these trucks run a heck of a lot better than the new dmax and 6.0 injectors, and they're a heck of a lot cheaper.

My 6.5 has been very reliable. Previous owner put a new motor and tranny in then sold it because the front end was worn out. I installed new balljoints, good to go. I see you are on the island. I paid $9200.00 for mine with a $1500 canopy. Truck had 280,000km on it. I have put 45,000 on it since last July. No major difficulty. I get consistent 22MPG no matter if my foot is in it or not. I occasionally tow with it. All in all decent vehicle. Don't let what you read here change your mind.. just educate yourself as I am doing from the experts here.

Gearing makes a major difference in mileage. I see you're from Canada, eh? You'll be running winter blended fuels for several months of the year. Combine that with 4.10 gearing and you could see mileage around 11~12mpg.

I'm not running the 6.5 down, just stating the facts. That's what I get with my burb, but burbs tend to have slightly poorer mpg than the pickups do, from what I understand.

I'm getting ready to go past 190K miles on my 97 K3500 6.5TD SRW CC and it has been great. I think all the work I have had done is basic maintance except for the one injection pump and warrenty took care of it.


The engine has not been opened up at all.

Alternators my big issue (on my 4th)
Replaced Injection pump at about 94K miles
Block heater replaced at 130K due to a seep I would have done it anyway I was swapping out my coolant.
Temp sending unit (deal error thermostat was stuck open)
Belts
Idler pully bearing getting ready to install my 2nd one
Battery cables (I think these cause lots of the 6.5's pump issues)
Head lights I went +180K miles on the stock ones
Oil cooler lines mines has had two sets of factory ones and now has Greg's lines.
I need to replace the pinion seal on the rear axle
Lift pump and OPS went out last year (Napa's new pump has died once since that).
Replaced all the coolant hoses once
Headlight switchs (I finally got smart anfd put my park lights on a relay rather than running them off the headlight switch.)
I had the wires going from the engine compartmant to the ECM rub thru and that caused a stumble / miss covered them with heat shrink and it fixed that (I foolishly replaced the PMD trying to fix that).
Glowplugs and then need to be done again now

I took that engine cover and tosed it right away. ;)

Added a Kenndy fan clutch
Jardine downpipe
K&N was added at about 45K mile and has run all the miles unless it was drying after being cleaned.
I run a bypass oil filter and change oil every 2500 to 3000 miles.


Based on that I don't think its a bad record at all. I do get nervous at all the block craking talk, but mine is fine so far.

I still have the factory injectors too. I want to replace them and the timing chain(may get the gears) and the damper / crank pulley as preventive mantinance.

Oh the PMD has been on the pump for every mile!!!! ;)