I'm looking at a '97 1/2 ton with a 6.5 turbo diesel. The owner says it's blowing blue smoke (not just on startup) so i assume the engine may need a rebuild, unless it could just be the valve seals...

So, is it no harder to rebuild a diesel than a gas engine? Any other ideas what might cause it to blow blue smoke? Thinking either rings or valves...

Diesels usually have easier parts to put back together since they're built heavier. Pretty easy to rebuild, just get a manual for torque specs and other specific info.

whar color smoke? could just need a fuel pump or injector pump, also could be cracked heads

Smoke is blue.

The injectors were replaced, but i don't think the injector pump. I'll be going to look at it this coming week (looking at buying it real cheap cuz of this blue smoke issue, but the body is rock solid, no visible rust at all in the pictures, was an older mans truck who was anal about taking care of it, score!).

Looks like i'll see if i can get a good enough deal. It's a 94 with 136k miles on a 6.5 turbo diesel, loaded, a/t/c, real good body etc, and they're asking $4000, i've seen older gas trucks with that many miles sell for that much or more. Thinkin i can get it for at least 3500 as lots of people will be scared away by the blue smoke it's apparently spewing.

Those are famous for needing Injection pumps.They are not cheap either.to be honest they are Junk!. Trust me I work on these it would be the last thing in my garage.Stanadyne should be tared and feathered for those pumps.The source of smoke could also be the Turbo ! They are also famous for blown head gaskets

My 6.5 broke a rod, wrist pin and con rod bearing were fine listen to the above warnings my pump was changed 3 times also.

Starting in 94 the 6.5's in trucks went to electronic injection. The injector pump will need to be replaced every two years if you are lucky. They also had an electric controler called a PMD (pump mounted driver) on the side of the injection pump. The heat will fry it in time. I make an extention cable to remote locate them outside the engine compartment to a cooler place. Have sold over 200 of them.
The truck itself is a nice truck, but because of the injection pump the 6.5 got a bad name. The 6.5 is a good engine for light duty use only, some towing. I own three of them, but one is a 1993 with mechanical injection, one is a 1996, but got rid of the 6.5 and put a Dodge Cummins diesel in it, and the last is a 1996 w/ 6.5. If and when it takes a dump a Cummins will go in that also.
Look at thedieselpage.com for lots of info also dieselpage.com
IMO $4000 is to much unless its 4x4 crew cab. $2500-3000 is more like it.

diesels are easier to rebuild but the parts are more exspensive i know this from replacing parts on my 7.3L Diesel. I don't know much about other diesels but I have heard meany bad things about the 6.5 as in heads cracking, short life ect.... know I know the 6.6 is a good engine

The truck is a crew cab 4x4 which is why i'm interested in it. The PMD has already been replaced, and it's mounted to a plate sitting overtop of the engine.

How would I go about isolating the turbo as the source of blue smoke in the exhaust? I assume seeing as it's oil cooled it's possible it's leaking oil in to the exhaust?

I can't believe there's no decent aftermarket injector pumps that are reliable to fix the problems with the factory ones.

The truck is a crew cab 4x4 which is why i'm interested in it. The PMD has already been replaced, and it's mounted to a plate sitting overtop of the engine.

How would I go about isolating the turbo as the source of blue smoke in the exhaust? I assume seeing as it's oil cooled it's possible it's leaking oil in to the exhaust?

I can't believe there's no decent aftermarket injector pumps that are reliable to fix the problems with the factory ones.

No aftermarket pumps, only rebuilt cores.
You can convert it to a mechanical IP but its alot of work.

The PMD located ontop of the intake is going to run even hotter than when you leave it mounted to the IP because the cooler diesel fuel going through the IP will draw off some heat. I have done alot of testing on these engine with regaurds to the PMD issues and found the best place to mount a PMD is in the front bumper in the hole on pass side or anywere OUTSIDE the engine compartment were air flow can get to it. You need to mount it to a heat sink also.
If you buy the truck and want to remote locate your PMD let me know.
Good luck.

The best way to reman a 6.2 or 6.5 is to weld a chain to it, and anchor a boat. Seriously, if you are really going to take on this project, I would start with a compression check. Blue smoke, if not motor oil, is usually leaking injectors, or IP discharging at the wrong time. Also, you want to make sure you have propper boost. For the record, the 6.5 has the longest list of service bulletins I have ever seen. I think it's 188 items, if I remember correctly. Unless you are getting this truck for free, I would think twice. I promise you, once you figure out the blue smoke, you will have another issue to figure out.

Well guys, after all the issues you brought up, i also phoned a local performance diesel shop in town and they told me that 90% of 6.5 blocks they get in are cracked anyway and shouldn't be used in a rebuild.

After all this, i decided to just pass on the truck. Cut a sweet deal on a 2002 silverado instead. More than 2x the asking price of the 94 with the 6.5, but at least i know the engine is good :p

Smart Move

Whew. Another member saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!