Going to test drive a 12v cummins

steelheadguy

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A friend of mine needs cash and has a 2500 single cab 4x4 auto that he doesnt use. I dont know much about these trucks but Im interested because $4000 seems like an alright deal.

So far I know that it leaks oil and possibly fuel. It is wet and dirty all around the driver side injectors or valve cover. The glow plugs wont start it, but the block heater will. Also last month the interior started to grow mold from a possible leaky windshield.

My questions are...
Is this a good deal?
What all can I check for when I go to test drive/pop the hood?
I am going to take it for about an 80 mile drive.
 

snicklas

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Cummins do not have glow plugs, they have a grid heater. What is your ambient temperatures. When Travis had the nanny Goat, the grid heated was disconnected, and the only time it wouldn't start was near 0F. That fact a Cummins has to be plugged in to start concerns me........
 

u2slow

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The fact it *needs* to be plugged in to start is a little worrisome. It could be as simple as weak batteries or cabling though. At the other end of the spectrum, could be low compression. A warm engine is always easier to start.

The best part of that truck is the engine and p-pump. The rest.... well... isn't built to last. I find 2ndgens especially frustrating to work on.

Price sounds fair. My buddy paid $3500 CDN for the same truck with a broken auto trans.
 

79jasper

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Yeah, if it needs plugged in, I would walk away.
They should start no problem down into single digits.

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steelheadguy

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See I'm glad I asked here.

So if the batteries and connections seem good and it still doesn't start. I should walk away? Anything easy to test to troubleshoot the starting issue? The owner knows way less about trucks than me, which isnt much.
Our temperature is 35-40 F at night.
 

79jasper

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Anything easy to test to troubleshoot the starting issue?

No. Lol could be many many things. None easy to check. Low compression, fuel draining back to tank (fuel heater, banjo bolt return fitting, any number of hoses), bad pump/injectors, etc.
I've seen many start without waiting for the grid heaters, below freezing. If that tells you anything.
Had a buddy with a 12 valve. Thing would not start warm. You had to spray it from cold, but once warm you could easily empty a can into it. Other times, it would start right up. (Well, with the spray of course) I never had time to look at it too much. Too busy fixing wiring problems. And a very long story of it being stolen, parts stripped, found and returned, more parts replacement, etc. Lol
Only thing I could ever figure out is maybe the timing was way off.

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pelky350

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I drove my buddies 24 valve and was disappointed with the power and how it drove. Totally stock besides exhaust. My turbo idi gets up and goes better than it. If you can mess this this one some before buying I would try, they go for good money when they are in good shape and drivable. They hold value quite well in any condition.
 

steelheadguy

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Yea Im free to tinker with it. If I dont buy it he's hoping I can help him tell whats wrong with it.
Cummins sound complicated, I'm going back to the idi forum.
 
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no mufflers

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I drove my buddies 24 valve and was disappointed with the power and how it drove. Totally stock besides exhaust. My turbo idi gets up and goes better than it. If you can mess this this one some before buying I would try, they go for good money when they are in good shape and drivable. They hold value quite well in any condition.


But you can put a $600 programmer in it and an IDI wouldn't stand a chance.
 

Jason1377

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For me would have to consider mpg as well as cost of parts/upgrades and if you can do it all yourself with the help of this great forum
 

towcat

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i own all three makes. Ford, GM and Dodge. my underpowered Sulaco is my favorite truck to drive when water, dirt and oil is tracked into the truck often. It certainly doesn't have any balls to mention about, fuel economy is ok unloaded, and awful when loaded heavy. It gets minimal maintenance but will go anywhere I ask it to go, and the best part yet, the voltmeter and tach are the only working gauges. Speedo, oil press, fuel level are DOA and water temp works at half scale. the FSV is moody and works when the sun, moon and stars are in alignment. Still, it's the truck I take into the backcountry with for some "me" time.

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