What To Look For When Buying A Used Diesel Truck

[@evanmelvin3386]

Genuinely thank you so much for this video. Planned on going and look at one this week and I didn’t really know what to look for until I saw this video.

[@brucehall5267]

My truck has been great and still is great. No blow by on 407,000 mile truck. Bought brand new in 2001 but does have oil leaks. Also my abs module is shot. But other than those few things truck is sound. Replaced all universals with spicer. Moog is junk. Front end replaced, along with upper and lowers and universal joint in front end. Truck drives and runs like the day I bought it brand new. Original owner.

[@darkirondiesel]

Original owner trucks like that are so hard to find haha if you ever sell it let me know 😆

[@waynefeigenbutz4309]

I’ve personally had issues with frame and chassis rust. Particularly, those from states where salt is used for de-acing. Spend sufficient time under it to evaluate the level of deterioration due to rust! You won’t be sorry you did!

[@darkirondiesel]

Yes great point! We have that same problem up here, every winter they dump tons of salt on the roads

[@ryeann2567]

Is there a good way to determine whats "surface rust" vs problematic rust? Every dealer selling a used car just says "Oh, thats just surface rust! No big deal!"

[@waynefeigenbutz4309]

@@ryeann2567 I'd recommend looking at the rocker panels below the doors and areas that you can see. If the frame is excessively rusty large flakes etc. beware. Also, look at areas like the cross over supports such as the transmission mounts. Also, ask where the truck originated from. If a truck is from a Northern region then look more intently at the areas I mentioned. Hope this helps.

[@CPSteveMiller]

I'm using this video for customers of mine who are looking into buying a diesel for work. 3rd gens are where my knowledge is at and this video's perfect because it's based around a 3rd gen. Good stuff!

[@darkirondiesel]

Thanks buddy!!

[@oldowl4290]

There's a great video on YT about the rubber steering column bushing that creates excessive wheel play. That should be inspected and replaced first before you go and waste a lot of money on tie rods, ball joints, steering box, etc. It's really an issue that has to be worked from top down... not bottom up! People have refreshed all those other parts and still had the issue because of a single rubber bushing in the steering column.

[@sawdustadikt979]

I see you got the nv5600 in your truck, sweeeeeeeet. I’ve asked a lot of mechanics and deed a deep dive on forums and KZbin and when it comes to the blow by, a lot of folks said that you have to run the truck for a half hour to an hour before the blow by can present its self. This is the first I’ve seen about the rad hose indicating a head gasket was in the process of giving up the ghost. Nice !

[@Ryanharrison69]

Going to check out an 09 6.7 tomorrow. Thanks for the info man! I’ll be sure to check all of this out

[@pstolinski71]

If u wanted to check blow by, the truck should sit overnight and check when you first start it. If the engine is warm it won't do it as much.

[@rnedlo9909]

Brand new tires are another warning sign that the front end might have problems. Thanks for a great video.

[@devilsadvocate1441]

also of the guy says yaaaa shes tuned but shes never been beat on bud.

[@bdtcrypto1542]

Don't forget excessive oil level can be a sign of failing injectors

[@truthkeeperfilms]

Those rubber hoses get hard with time and on any vehicle. That’s a big statement saying it needs a head gasket because of rubber getting dry.

[@beavisroadhog9629]

No, it's really not

[@B_S_Media]

I'll keep these in mind, as well as take it to my Tuner if it's turboed. Overall if I'm unsure about something take it to my mechanic as well.

[@charles17508]

yep thats why i try and buy new so that i can begin maintenance from day one .

[@willsprojects2601]

I hope you fixed everything lol. Great tips. Keep pushing out these videos!

[@kenuber4766]

Yeah he better, he finds stuff that is messed up that way!! LOL

[@matt98eclipse]

Thanks for the awesome videos you post man! I’ve watched a couple of them already. Im gonna be following your last 2 videos you pasted of the head gasket overhaul . Im pissing coolant out of my over flow when boost comes in and upper radiator hose is hard like yours aswell. 😢.

[@la5150hi-lophoto]

Thanks for doing this video in miserable weather…esp when some of the issues were with your own truck.

[@LuisSanchez2]

Thanks for all the tips and pointers.

[@foxxx5.941]

I got 04 cummins n it dont have no blow by at idle it has steam but I made a manometer n once revved to 2200rpm it raises water 9inches. I got everything off to pull the head just gotta put together the engine lift n lift head off witch will b done tomorrow.

[@darkirondiesel]

Let me know what you find buddy

[@foxxx5.941]

@@darkirondiesel got the head off today n pistons look good but cylinder 1 has broken ring can see vertical line in wall but not at all deep a hone will do I gotta get a mirror to see all around the walls on 5 and 6 cause I'm leaving it in frame. This truck had a full engine rebuild 60k ago by firepunk. Once I seen the head gasket I was like wtf cause around the cylinders they ain't circle but I did some research n it's a cosmic gasket. I never seen that b4

[@adamantee1]

@@foxxx5.941 hey, how did the in frame rebuild go? I'm about to attempt the same

[@MarkBeezBlogs]

Excellent tips, useful for any vehicle purchase!

[@CounTreeGuy]

Thank you for making this!

[@michaelbenoit248]

On the head gasket, throw a bottle of the BlueDevil S&!T in it & follow the instructions. My 7.3 had a bad head gasket w water in the oil & after we fixed it w the sh!t the oil line went down, gotta change my oil this weekend. Gonna look @ a 94 7.3 idi & bought my 7.3 cheap sitting in a field, & didn’t check much.

[@Sunluvr69]

Very informative video! Thanks for doing this... sorry you found all those things wrong with your truck !

[@jacobhollerbach2303]

I had a 2003 7.3 I had diesel mixing with the antifreeze

[@epaequalsgay5777]

Leaking injector cup?

[@gunnartikka9287]

Also check how long it takes for the glow plugs to heat.

[@inthefaceofdeath]

nice video and helpful

[@kebby8251]

Nice tips. Thanks

[@johnnylamm7375]

Thanks for the info 👍👍

[@gregy3660]

I just bought an 04.5 about 2 moths ago love the truck. And then the other day I get a check engine light with a p2609 code and I can’t get it to go away. I noticed one of the 2 relays the cable was lose and it shorted the relay out I replaced both of the relays and replaced the grid heater. I have checked my grounds and my cables but the check engine light will not go away

[@1g4u]

I am getting a oil burn smell inside cab when running the heater in both recirculating modes in my 06 5.9 Cummins?

[@beptex2858]

What did you find that was causing that and how did you solved it?

[@FabulosoSpray]

Sounds like an exhaust leak.

[@silversurfer9588]

Great job.

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

I’m surprised, $3~$8K to replace a head gasket?? Did I hear correctly?! I guess I’m way out of touch on service costs. I would have expected to be able to rebuild the whole engine for that price... lol! How much does an engine rebuild cost these days for a 2.8L Diesel engine?

[@Dead-Goldstar]

What’s your thoughts on Dodge trucks 3500 with a 5.9 with 330.000 km on it something to be concerned about engine runs great no blow by. Great video by the way very helpful using all your suggestions since I’m still looking for a truck. Love your channel always watching your videos very informative and detailed.

[@darkirondiesel]

All depends how it’s taken care if. My truck has 320km and it’s still in awesome shape just burns a little bit of oil

[@atokamurray3263]

Great info

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

Hi Kyle, I have a 3L Toyota Hilux Diesel pick up in Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦. I’ll be moving up to northern BC later this year. Winters often get down to -35C. Would you recommend getting a Webasto diesel coolant heater? I’ve never lived up north before, but am starting to think how I should prepare for the severe cold. Thinking a coolant heater will help protect the engine from all the cold starts in winter. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@CaptainAries98]

questions for all my diesel heads out there: if a diesel has 300k miles or more is it worth it or would you find a different truck with 270 or 280? also if said owner has a truck with a bad injector (#3 for example) is it worth it or would you guys find a more reliable truck? genuinely curious comin from a sedan owner looking to learn more about diesels

[@johannobee4976]

Fantastic video!!

[@luisarechiga8504]

What if the truck doesn’t turn because of a bad flywheel?

[@donovandeponte8187]

4:12 valid

[@TheOneshot78]

Whats consider a high miles for a diesel truck.. is a three year 135,000 mile a high miles truck.

[@darkirondiesel]

Well 135,000 miles is high for a truck that’s only 3 years old. But 135,000 miles isn’t overly high in general for a diesel truck. The main thing is how it was treated over the years and if the owner did regular maintenance. I have a video on my channel called what to look for when buying a used diesel truck if you want to give it a view.

[@TheOneshot78]

@@darkirondiesel yes thank you very much and keep up the videos

[@kyleandersen6492]

No

[@ltokes66]

Great video.

[@jamesmarlar696]

So did you fire ring it when head was off

[@sandramathers6731]

I'm looking at a 2018 cummins 3/4 ton 4x4 diesel dodge with 118,000 klm in Canada do you know anything about if this is any cons about this year

[@isaiahsalmoiraghi7080]

Hey for blow by if someone has nodded there truck and rolls coal will it blow more air when idling in neutral?

[@darkirondiesel]

No it shouldn’t

[@norbertorivera5106]

I test drive a Cummins and before a start the truck I check the radiator cap and there was a lot of pressure and fluid coming when it was just sitting there and after I got it up to temperature the upper radiator hose was a little hard but not rock hard like you explain. Is that a sign of blown head gasket

[@alexanderpettit2106]

06 and below 👍

[@Bman01234]

Some 07’s have the 5.9 with no emissions

[@ramos_amayo3076]

Who makes the most reliable diesels? Ford or ram? Im kinda torn between the 2 lol

[@darkirondiesel]

Well overall probably Cummins, but honestly it just depends on how the truck is maintained and driven. I wouldn’t recommend a 6.0 or 6.4 powerstroke though. So if you are going Ford I would suggest 2011+

[@ramos_amayo3076]

@@darkirondiesel thank you 🙏

[@DubstepMagiic]

@@ramos_amayo3076 the 99 to 2001 7.3 powerstrokes are also good, that year bracket specifically because they have forged internals so it can handle about 400 horse before those things give out

[@ar3nasz]

What do you think about the 02 2500 gmc duramax 6.6L v8 engine?

[@DruncleStiffy]

Good motor that’s an lb7 check for signs of injector failure tho

[@Bman01234]

Go Cummins

[@jaketoby465]

What if they just put new tires on the truck? Looking at an LML 2013. Great video!

[@leepilkington9987]

New tires can be deceptive. But alignments are not terribly expensive and are worth it.

[@Fishinguy962]

The blowby test should be done on an engine that is up to operating temp, not a truck just idling. Good video otherwise though, nice truck. Is your engine an early 03 or the late 03 (305/555 engine)

[@psd28]

I bought a 287k mile f350 unseen and thank god i didnt get screwed too hard LOL

[@nickhenry8845]

Where did you get your mud flaps?

[@darkirondiesel]

Just through my parts supplier. They are called husky liners

[@kyleandersen6492]

Just buy a Tacoma. Unless you’re getting a prior 2010 model.

[@darkirondiesel]

But a Tacoma doesn’t roll coal 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@christianleveron1997]

A truck with no turbo is like a man with no balls.

[@jax3032]

I could buy a Tacoma, but let me know when you can tow 10,000 pounds with the yota

[@shawnclark4541]

Great video !