Author Topic: 1st diesel (Read 6177 times)

caddy-esel · « **on:** February 28, 2008, 07:10:41 pm »

im checking out a 81 caddy diesel...its got 100k and 1 original grandma owner.. now i was wondering if anyone can give me some help on what to look out for motorwise

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2008, 09:54:31 pm »

didn't like my answer on vortex eh? :lol:

Check to see how well it starts up, if the engine has been pre-warmed before you got there that is a bad sign, probably trying to hide a starting problem. If the truck smokes excessively (any color) that could also mean something. When you remove the oil filler cap with the truck running at operating temp (just crack it open or it will spray oil everywhere) there should be no smoke puffing out, if there is it has bad rings.

The majority of problems on an IDI diesel are easy to fix, most likely tuning the pump and fixing the glow plug system.

Plan to put a new timing belt on immediately unless the seller can prove when it was last done (and it's within spec)

Quantum TD · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2008, 10:26:12 pm »

Ditto. A truck that old is sure to have suspension problems, but that's not your real concern right now.

Blowby is the real concern, as is overheating. Look for dried coolant around the overflow chamber, or rust stains around it, or oil in the coolant. Check the valve cover cap too. Look for grey sludge on the bottom of the cap (this usually doesn't happen on a diesel, but it's a good idea to look). All of these are signs of a blown headgasket. Other non-standard signs of a blown HG are custom-wired fan switches, etc.

At this point, the pump will either be leaking, or will start leaking once you start running the new ULSD fuel. It's not a matter of if, but when. So, be prepared to deal with that down the road.

Darkness_is_spreading · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2008, 10:28:21 pm »

LOL you remind of that broad who was buying a Lexus from an old grandmother but it was actually an old dude....... Then a Carfax dude runs up and is like hey this guys a Deuche and is BS you.....

Make sure you know alot of the trouble signs or your gonna end up getting screwed.....

Just because it's old doesn't mean it's rare and is worth more it just will have more rust and bastard issues if the previous owner was stupid

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2008, 11:21:47 pm »

i'd like to know what kind of grandma would have a caddy...

caddy-esel · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2008, 09:14:23 am »

thanks guys. thats a lot more help then i got from the tex.. i guess it was here husbands and she dosnt want it around anymore... and one more question its kinda off topic... i work with jets and we have a 50 gallon drum of jet fuel that we sump from our jet trucks daily.. it fills up about every month and a half.. some guys i work with say that diesels can run on it with some hydraulic fluid in it... is this true??

burn_your_money · « **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2008, 12:35:44 pm »

yes it is true. I know a guy that runs jet fuel in his passat 1.6D. He said it gets pretty crappy mileage because it is designed for a higher compression engine. Sounds like a 1.9 block with 1.6 head might be a good idea.
Definitely add lubricant. I forget how many miles he has on it, over 100k I think

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #7 on:** February 29, 2008, 06:48:02 pm »

And check that sucker seriously for rust.... :roll:

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 29, 2008, 07:18:15 pm »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

yes it is true. I know a guy that runs jet fuel in his passat 1.6D. He said it gets pretty crappy mileage because it is designed for a higher compression engine. Sounds like a 1.9 block with 1.6 head might be a good idea.
Definitely add lubricant. I forget how many miles he has on it, over 100k I think

he he Tyler
I know who your talking about!
I'll run that in mine just add 1quart of oil in the fuel tank to lube the pump!
jet fuel works great in torpedo heaters!
another thing to keep in mind about jet fuel? algee grows in diesel tanks when used reigiously and if you run the jet fuel it will kill it and allow it to block up fuel filters or lines or etc.
Duane