I have never owned a diesel anything. Please weigh in...
I am thinking of buying a 2011 F550 4x4 6.7 turbo diesel shuttle bus with 220,000 miles on it. The seller is wishy washy and not very transparent at all. From my constant research the last few weeks I believe this was an oilfield rig to transport employees around from site to site. It is a factory lifted manufactured 4x4. I have no service records of any kind. So I am getting an oil sample and sending it in for analysis.
Is there a company that does a better oil analysis than the other? i was thinking of going with blackstone labs as its only $28, but are they worth it? Do they provide a good analysis?Is there a better test i should buy from them then the $28 one?
Also being a gas engine owner my whole life I am a bit nervous about spending this kind of money on something that has 220,000 miles. looking at that large number everyday will take a bit of getting used to, but I am under the impression diesels tend to run for around 400,000 miles. As long as i take car of them as well as prevantive maintenance. is that true? Can others chime in on how many miles they have or have seen on other 2011 F550?
I found one post on here about someone swapping an engine out for $17,000????!!!!
Just a simple craigslist search i have found 3 of these f550 engines for under $6,000 which i still do not want to spend that much, but for what I want to do with this rig $6,000 for half million miles of peace of mind has some appeal. Can anyone suggest a better place to search for used or new F550 engines? Can you buy a brand new f550 diesel crate engine? If this is a 2011 what year f550 diesel engines can realistically or theoretically be put in this rig?
I really do not want to do an engine swap especially when there are more than enough of these for sale on the internet with lower miles just no 4x4. Which why is it cheaper to buy an engine than it is to do a 4x4 conversion on any vehicle? Seriously some vehicles you can buy an engine for under $1000, but no matter what vehicle it is a 4x4 conversion costs $12,000-$25,000????????????
Anyways, back on topic, I really want to buy this thing to make into an RV, but are diesels a constant maintenance equation? and if so what are the costs of these maintenance requirements? I have no problem opening the hood, grabbing some tools or laying on my back in the dirt to do what needs to be done on my current vehicle. My brother seems to think only dealerships can work on diesels? And todays diesels require the entire cab to be removed to do any work on a diesel engine. thats not true is it? I don't have to remove the entire cab to replace an alternator do I? I can swap out an alternator right? its only 3 bolts and wire harness plug right?
As far as maintenance goes its just engine related stuff right? Your not cleaning turbos every week or rotating head gaskets every other weekend, correct? There is no special, unique, monthly $3,000 engine wash thing right? If warning lights come on the dash then you need to do something right, but other than that its just oil changes and fluid checks right?
Which another post I found on here triggered an alarm. They said diesel engines do not like water so you need to use a fuel additive? CM or CSM fuel additive I think they said. They also said you need to install a fuel water seperator? I'm having a hard time trying to drill down on this bit of information. What exactly is this, and why wouldn't this already be in the engine or fuel lines if it was truly required?
This rig also has a tuner (or I think thats what its called from my research) I don't know who did the tune whether it was professional or backyard mechanic bob, but the DEF or Emissions thing is deleted. I don't live in a state where they emission check and allow for lifetime registration if its an RV, and I have a 50 year drivers license so any violations while visiting another state well .....sometime in 2069 if they are still in your computer when I go to renew we can talk about paying these silly fines.
I've also come across a few posts that reference bullet proofing an engine. Is f550 have the ability to be bulletproofed? And if so what does that mean/entail?
I really want to buy this rig, but I am nervous because of the price point and the mileage number. They are offering a 2 year warranty, but warranties come with loopholes & deductibles for a false sense of security because what company wants to pay $17,000 for engine replacement from a $200 upcharge transaction at the time of sale.
I am trying to do my due diligence and not get burned here, but I just don't know why everyone thinks diesels are expensive. Is it because they don't do their own maintenance?
Because if thats the case on my tacoma i do all my own oil changes every 3,000 miles on the do with full synthetic, motor flush and filter. I know 3,000 mile oil changes are from the 70s and 80s, but thats what dad taught me when I was growing up so thats what i do. I have no issues about doing brakes, alternators and tires. I've replaced windshields, headlight casing's, installed remote start, replaced fan/heat regulator, oil sending unit blah blah. Point is when something breaks I take first shot before calling the mechanic. So unless its something to do with engine or transmission I'm sure Ill figure it out by way of forums and youtube mechanics. With that said than what would be the "expensive maintenance" stereotypes that everyone is scared of with diesels?
During the test drive there was plenty of power and response. In all the gears. he switched to all 3 or 4 different transmission programs or whatever its called. I've found numerous posts on here that say that tuning can range anywhere from $950-$3000 depending on the shop.
He shifted into 4x4 to show me it worked. Everything seems powerful, responsive, but there is oil residue on the backside of the engine or possible lower part of the engine. I don't have a lift to investigate, and the day I went to go look at this for the 3rd time it was rainning and snowing outside. There is no puddles or signs of leaking underneath it.
one post on here refers to this as spray back from the engine blower???????????? still not sure what he was saying? IS this common for diesels? For this engine? for this year? worst case scenario is what?
Last thing that makes me gunshy about buying this. 2 weeks after the test drive when I went to go look at in the raining snowing conditions they needed to get a jumpbox to get it to start. To me this says either the battery is shot, alternator is shot or the entire electrical system is shot? Pretty sure its just a worthless battery cuz it started right up and stayed running. Lights and whatever came on. Had a gas engine mechanic with me (hes the one that found the oil) and he hooked up his machine to look for codes. Found nothing major. He said the ones he did find he thinks are related to the deleted DEF if I remember right, but he didn't give them much attention at all. He had no concerns about the codes that were on his screen.
I know there are people out there that follow every manufacturer spec there is. From rotating tires every time you squash a bug to transmission flushes every time a commercial comes over the radio.
I am not that guy. I currently haul a 7,000 pound 30 foot travel trailer with a toyota tacoma deep into the mountains during the winter for ski season with absolutely no issues. Over mountain passes up snow covered roads blah blah. Never checked specs, forums or asked anyone. Hooked it up in large parking lot and my vehicle moved it. Didn't realize until after 300,000 comments from random strangers at the gas station when filing up this was such an impressive feat for my toyota tough tacoma. Thats my approach to life, "Lets see what happens."
Sometimes that has burnt me, and other times that has rewarded me. I have sacraficed quite a bit to put myself into a position to buy this rig, and if I buy this its going to take a ton more work to get to where it needs to be to live out of it full time. So really can't take a burn on this one right out the gate.
Thanks for reading my lengthy ramblings and really do appreciate any help you could provide.
I am thinking of buying a 2011 F550 4x4 6.7 turbo diesel shuttle bus with 220,000 miles on it. The seller is wishy washy and not very transparent at all. From my constant research the last few weeks I believe this was an oilfield rig to transport employees around from site to site. It is a factory lifted manufactured 4x4. I have no service records of any kind. So I am getting an oil sample and sending it in for analysis.
Is there a company that does a better oil analysis than the other? i was thinking of going with blackstone labs as its only $28, but are they worth it? Do they provide a good analysis?Is there a better test i should buy from them then the $28 one?
Also being a gas engine owner my whole life I am a bit nervous about spending this kind of money on something that has 220,000 miles. looking at that large number everyday will take a bit of getting used to, but I am under the impression diesels tend to run for around 400,000 miles. As long as i take car of them as well as prevantive maintenance. is that true? Can others chime in on how many miles they have or have seen on other 2011 F550?
I found one post on here about someone swapping an engine out for $17,000????!!!!
Just a simple craigslist search i have found 3 of these f550 engines for under $6,000 which i still do not want to spend that much, but for what I want to do with this rig $6,000 for half million miles of peace of mind has some appeal. Can anyone suggest a better place to search for used or new F550 engines? Can you buy a brand new f550 diesel crate engine? If this is a 2011 what year f550 diesel engines can realistically or theoretically be put in this rig?
I really do not want to do an engine swap especially when there are more than enough of these for sale on the internet with lower miles just no 4x4. Which why is it cheaper to buy an engine than it is to do a 4x4 conversion on any vehicle? Seriously some vehicles you can buy an engine for under $1000, but no matter what vehicle it is a 4x4 conversion costs $12,000-$25,000????????????
Anyways, back on topic, I really want to buy this thing to make into an RV, but are diesels a constant maintenance equation? and if so what are the costs of these maintenance requirements? I have no problem opening the hood, grabbing some tools or laying on my back in the dirt to do what needs to be done on my current vehicle. My brother seems to think only dealerships can work on diesels? And todays diesels require the entire cab to be removed to do any work on a diesel engine. thats not true is it? I don't have to remove the entire cab to replace an alternator do I? I can swap out an alternator right? its only 3 bolts and wire harness plug right?
As far as maintenance goes its just engine related stuff right? Your not cleaning turbos every week or rotating head gaskets every other weekend, correct? There is no special, unique, monthly $3,000 engine wash thing right? If warning lights come on the dash then you need to do something right, but other than that its just oil changes and fluid checks right?
Which another post I found on here triggered an alarm. They said diesel engines do not like water so you need to use a fuel additive? CM or CSM fuel additive I think they said. They also said you need to install a fuel water seperator? I'm having a hard time trying to drill down on this bit of information. What exactly is this, and why wouldn't this already be in the engine or fuel lines if it was truly required?
This rig also has a tuner (or I think thats what its called from my research) I don't know who did the tune whether it was professional or backyard mechanic bob, but the DEF or Emissions thing is deleted. I don't live in a state where they emission check and allow for lifetime registration if its an RV, and I have a 50 year drivers license so any violations while visiting another state well .....sometime in 2069 if they are still in your computer when I go to renew we can talk about paying these silly fines.
I've also come across a few posts that reference bullet proofing an engine. Is f550 have the ability to be bulletproofed? And if so what does that mean/entail?
I really want to buy this rig, but I am nervous because of the price point and the mileage number. They are offering a 2 year warranty, but warranties come with loopholes & deductibles for a false sense of security because what company wants to pay $17,000 for engine replacement from a $200 upcharge transaction at the time of sale.
I am trying to do my due diligence and not get burned here, but I just don't know why everyone thinks diesels are expensive. Is it because they don't do their own maintenance?
Because if thats the case on my tacoma i do all my own oil changes every 3,000 miles on the do with full synthetic, motor flush and filter. I know 3,000 mile oil changes are from the 70s and 80s, but thats what dad taught me when I was growing up so thats what i do. I have no issues about doing brakes, alternators and tires. I've replaced windshields, headlight casing's, installed remote start, replaced fan/heat regulator, oil sending unit blah blah. Point is when something breaks I take first shot before calling the mechanic. So unless its something to do with engine or transmission I'm sure Ill figure it out by way of forums and youtube mechanics. With that said than what would be the "expensive maintenance" stereotypes that everyone is scared of with diesels?
During the test drive there was plenty of power and response. In all the gears. he switched to all 3 or 4 different transmission programs or whatever its called. I've found numerous posts on here that say that tuning can range anywhere from $950-$3000 depending on the shop.
He shifted into 4x4 to show me it worked. Everything seems powerful, responsive, but there is oil residue on the backside of the engine or possible lower part of the engine. I don't have a lift to investigate, and the day I went to go look at this for the 3rd time it was rainning and snowing outside. There is no puddles or signs of leaking underneath it.
one post on here refers to this as spray back from the engine blower???????????? still not sure what he was saying? IS this common for diesels? For this engine? for this year? worst case scenario is what?
Last thing that makes me gunshy about buying this. 2 weeks after the test drive when I went to go look at in the raining snowing conditions they needed to get a jumpbox to get it to start. To me this says either the battery is shot, alternator is shot or the entire electrical system is shot? Pretty sure its just a worthless battery cuz it started right up and stayed running. Lights and whatever came on. Had a gas engine mechanic with me (hes the one that found the oil) and he hooked up his machine to look for codes. Found nothing major. He said the ones he did find he thinks are related to the deleted DEF if I remember right, but he didn't give them much attention at all. He had no concerns about the codes that were on his screen.
I know there are people out there that follow every manufacturer spec there is. From rotating tires every time you squash a bug to transmission flushes every time a commercial comes over the radio.
I am not that guy. I currently haul a 7,000 pound 30 foot travel trailer with a toyota tacoma deep into the mountains during the winter for ski season with absolutely no issues. Over mountain passes up snow covered roads blah blah. Never checked specs, forums or asked anyone. Hooked it up in large parking lot and my vehicle moved it. Didn't realize until after 300,000 comments from random strangers at the gas station when filing up this was such an impressive feat for my toyota tough tacoma. Thats my approach to life, "Lets see what happens."
Sometimes that has burnt me, and other times that has rewarded me. I have sacraficed quite a bit to put myself into a position to buy this rig, and if I buy this its going to take a ton more work to get to where it needs to be to live out of it full time. So really can't take a burn on this one right out the gate.
Thanks for reading my lengthy ramblings and really do appreciate any help you could provide.
