bilbo
Full Access Member
I recently acquired a 1994 F250. Normally when I get something it sits until I've had a chance to really look everything over. It doesn't take me long with a gasoline engine as I kind of know what to look for and where to adjust it. However, this is my first diesel and while I know the basic concept and locations of major components, my expertise ends there. From the sips I've taken from the fire hose so far I've gathered the fuel system and timing is the most important (and for me least understood) aspect. I'm working on a pinging problem on my other truck (an 83 Ranger) and have been using this until I get that sorted. I'm worried about something being damaged due to ignorance. The truck has 277k miles and was owned by a company that used it for transporting stuff to trade shows. It's 2wd with a 5 speed manual transmission. It looks well taken care of and seems to sound and drive ok. Is there anything I should be checking that's extremely important right away? A big worry was coolant additive. The person I bought it from drove it but the shop's maintenance guy maintained it and thus couldn't say whether coolant additive was used or what type. Is there a way to check without knowing what type was used?
I read about the life span of fuel pumps, and if mine's original it's definitely in its winter years. Is there a way to estimate its age/wear?
Once I get to really dig into it I'd like to check timing more thoroughly. I've read about as things wear timing retards; is this a huge concern for engine damage? There seem to be other settings on the pump for things like varied advance throughout engine load range. I'm its goals are similar to the vacuum advance on a distributor but where is it?
Sorry if these are basic questions already covered somewhere. I tried searching but don't really know what I'm looking for, which is probably why I'm not finding much. I appreciate any advice and expertise offered up!
--Edit to add--The title doesn't really reflect the post; I typed that before I figured the rest out and never went back to change it. It should probably just read 'Questions.' sorry about that.
I read about the life span of fuel pumps, and if mine's original it's definitely in its winter years. Is there a way to estimate its age/wear?
Once I get to really dig into it I'd like to check timing more thoroughly. I've read about as things wear timing retards; is this a huge concern for engine damage? There seem to be other settings on the pump for things like varied advance throughout engine load range. I'm its goals are similar to the vacuum advance on a distributor but where is it?
Sorry if these are basic questions already covered somewhere. I tried searching but don't really know what I'm looking for, which is probably why I'm not finding much. I appreciate any advice and expertise offered up!
--Edit to add--The title doesn't really reflect the post; I typed that before I figured the rest out and never went back to change it. It should probably just read 'Questions.' sorry about that.