Possibly Looking At A New IDI

[wils2527]

Hey Guys,
I was thinking of looking at this truck this coming weekend. I don't know any more than the posting on craigslist yields, but I can always call and ask for more information. I was wondering if I were to get the truck what I should expect to do get it fixed. I haven't had to replace an injection pump yet on one of these, but is there a way to create a problem based on that installation? Anything would be helpful.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/3408168845.html

Thank you Guys.

 

[kc0stp]

My first thought is that it still has air in the lines from the IP/Injector replacment but obviously thats just a WAG

 

[Wyreth]

if you get crap in the injectors when you install them.
if you get crap in the fuel lines after the filter, before the pump.
if you don't time it.
bad pump out of box.
bad injectors out of box.

the first two will KO either the injector or the IP

the third one happens alot because people think they can just line up the lines and it's timed again. The lines only matter when the truck FIRST rolled off the factory floor. A new IP has a different timing calibration, so the lines will likely get you close enough to run, but not anywhere near where you need to be.

The smoking part says either a bad injector, or bad timing, or both. Nither is that hard to fix. Or you could be opening a huge can of worms and have to replace the whole fuel system again. If it's a zf, even at worst case I'd say it's a good deal for a 4x4sc. The e40d scares me tho, so if it's an auto, you may end up changing that soon in addition to anything else that's wrong.

just my 2cents.

 

[dgr]

Wouldn't it be a hoot if it was the CDR causing the smoking.

"new" and new are not the same thing. Could be poorly rebuilt pump or injectors.

It is a crap shoot on any engine as to what kind of problems you could be buying. But you could probably part that thing out for the price he is asking. Just making the rust belt cringe ;p

 

[towcat]

at first glance I thought that was "spark-n-fire"s truck.
$2500 is a good price for the truck. betcha the issues are with the pump. if it is a borg/warner or cardone rebuild, it still has issues.

 

[RLDSL]

Any time you get a used vehicle , its a crap shoot. Could be a bum pump, most likely it wasnt timed, around here ALL of the *expert* shops will just line things up on old marks, regardless of what a manual says.
You can probably bet a paycheck the CDR is original if the owner has been paying someone to do all the repairs., IF it has any appreciable amount of miles on it, theres a very good chance the rings are a bit sticky causing smoking and a few other things , which is extremely common on diesels and a good cleaning with Auto Rx may be all it needs.

Or the engine could be completely shot and some joker filled the crankcase with motor honey just to get it to run and no be a complete mosquito fogger long enough for some sucker to buy the thing

First rule of diesel shopping, arrange to see it first thing in the morning and make sure to tell the seller to not start it before you get there. Put your hands ON the engine before you try to fire it and if it's been warmed up , even partially, before you get there, Walk away. You never know what they had to do to get it to cough if you dont see the first cold start of the day., they might have had to drag it on a chain behind a dozer for 10 minutes in gear after a half can of ether to get it started.
If you have a compression gauge, pop a couple glow plugs and check the compression. If unfamiliar with these procedures and you really are interested in the thing , see if there is a qualified mechanic in the area who can do a pre purchase inspection , I used to do these all the time for folks when I had my shop, we never had an owner balk at an inspection, I would always make extra copies of the findings for teh owner in case the person decided against purchasing the thing.

 

[wils2527]

Thank you for all of the responses. To my knowledge it is an E40D and to be honest that doesn't scare me anymore. I've accepted their terrible lifespan and have rebuilt two with one of my more transmission savy friends.

At any rate thank you for the insight on the possibilities. I knew everyone here would weight in their opinion. Honestly I was thinking the timing was off from the start, but I wasn't sure if there were additional problems to be examined.

I was looking for a good mechanic in the Gardnerville area but haven't been to excited about any of them, but I will take a chance and call one this week and see if they can take a look at it. Cheap investment to see what is wrong.

Is there any way I can check the timing first before I take it to a shop to verify that it is off?

Thank you again guys!

 

[icanfixall]

Only way to know if the timing is wrong is to time it with a meter. Driving it will tell you if the power is low too. What type of turbo means plenty too. that could be a reason for the smoke too. Moving the injection pump towards the passenger side fender advances the timing. Another reason for poor hp and smoke is the injection pump has been installed 180 degrees out od time. thats done when the poor excuse for a mechanic pulls the pump with the injection gear and cover as one piece. Then mixs up the timing gear points. I can post a pic of the crank, cam and injection pump gear timing marks if needed. These engines will run that far out of time but they smoke and run horribly. Having a less than trusting mechanic do all the work is dangerous. The thremostat could be any type and not the special only thermostat these engine require... The glow plugs can be almost any type too and thats no good either... We all know that only the motorcraft beru ZD9 plugs work and they work very wel. Trust me, many have tried others but they soon come back to the ZD9 plugs. Sory I can't be more supportive about whats right or wrong with this truck but from the sellers words... Its nearly perfect with all the parts added in the last year.... If they are top quality Ford oem parts then I say buy it... But remember... This guy is selling and your buying... I can't sell something without telling the buyer what they are getting... Honesty is how I roll..

 

[wils2527]

Thank you Icanfixall. A picture or link to set the timing would be excellent. I remember from my last IDI that correct Glow Plugs more than pay for themselves especially if you get the crap autolites stuck in the head (luckily when I got mine out that didn't happen).

 

[dgr]

Drive it to Sacramento and use my ferret

 

[wils2527]

Oh yeah? What would that do for me?

Drive it to Sacramento and use my ferret

 

[Iowa 73]

It's funny how many people sell these because they are tired of working on them... I like these old engines, but they do require alot of work.
I went and looked at a diesel front clip - the guy had parted out the truck because he was sick of fooling with the engine.

 

[dgr]

It would tell you where the timing is set to. And if you can read up on adjusting the timing, it would tell you where you set it to if you made any changes. Beats the heck out of paying a shop and not knowing what you are getting.

 

[wils2527]

That would be awesome. I am trying to jet up the hill this weekend to take a look at the truck. If I do decide that it is worth my time I'll give you a holler.

Thank you again dgr.

 

[oregon96psd]

It's funny how many people sell these because they are tired of working on them... I like these old engines, but they do require alot of work.
I went and looked at a diesel front clip - the guy had parted out the truck because he was sick of fooling with the engine.

they are very VERY maintenance hungry engines that's for sure!