My bus adventures.

ros · December 05, 2014, 08:13:45 PM

Well, folks, I am sorry to have to report that today, the engine in my 1998 Chevy, diesel, 3/4 ton pickup, blew up. I will spare the details except for a few. I was going into town to pick up some needed parts and all of a sudden, I heard a very ominous clatter and thumping and it died. I managed to get it onto the freeway feeder and into a parking lot. I looked under the hood and I saw the harmonic balancer wildly flopping around after I started it again. No, it is not the rubber, not a bolt or two snapped (unless miracles occur).

I suspect that the front main bearing went and perhaps some others. I figure that the wonderful diesel engine is toast.

I do have a 1985 300SD diesel Mercedes that has been a jewel until a water hose broke and I thought that I had let the engine cool enough to continue home. Wrong. The head gasket is blown and although I could change it myself, I am going to get someone else on it.

And, so it goes.

Ros

luvrbus · December 06, 2014, 02:47:49 AM

Man,they could make a reality show from all your trails and tribulations anyway there are always new 6.5 for sale on the Government Liquidator site I bought a couple, the 6.2 are a little harder to find but they pop up from time to time usually without the heads

Jon · December 06, 2014, 03:25:10 AM

Ros,

Mother Nature is trying to tell you something. If a 16 year old pickup engine pukes what are the chances the engine in the bus you seek is going to beat the odds?

oldmansax · December 06, 2014, 05:33:10 AM

Sorry to hear it! You are just not having a good week (month? year?) !

Those later GM diesels have been good to us. We have 4 of them now & I lost track of how many we have had. I got 498K out of a 6.2 (1982) and a friend of mine got a little over 600K on a '94 6.5 before it was murdered by a mechanic. He drop a bolt down the intake while fixing a fuel leak. What a shame.

TOM

luvrbus · December 06, 2014, 05:46:58 AM

I think his is the 1st year for the Isuzu I could be wrong but if has the 6,5 those are used in the Humvee I bought a crate 6.5 engine for 900 bucks on the auction and pick it up in OK at the base in OKC

Purplewillie · December 06, 2014, 08:46:50 AM

98 would still have the 6.5 in it
Should be able to find one for a fair price.
Mark

opus · December 06, 2014, 09:00:33 AM

Quote from: oldmansax on December 06, 2014, 05:33:10 AM
Sorry to hear it! You are just not having a good week (month? year?) !

Those later GM diesels have been good to us. We have 4 of them now & I lost track of how many we have had. I got 498K out of a 6.2 (1982) and a friend of mine got a little over 600K on a '94 6.5 before it was murdered by a mechanic. He drop a bolt down the intake while fixing a fuel leak. What a shame.

TOM

Wow, thats pretty good for either of those engines. The 6.2 was a good engine....if you had a good one.

muldoonman · December 06, 2014, 09:18:34 AM

Had 2 engines (6.5 Turbo) fixed for harmonic balancer problems at chevy house under warranty. One done just what yours did. Electronic Injector pumps went out about every other oil change. LOL. Still have one (97) 1 ton out front rat now with 190,000 miles on it. Probably didn't hurt it. Just put another on. Comparing parts Heck of a lot cheaper to fix than that old bus your looking to buy.

bobofthenorth · December 06, 2014, 10:29:02 AM

Quote from: opus on December 06, 2014, 09:00:33 AM
Wow, thats pretty good for either of those engines. The 6.2 was a good engine....if you had a good one.

Your bar for defining something as "good" must be pretty low. I took the Chevy cure with a new 1986 2500 pickup with a 6.2 I got 120,000 km out of the first engine before it grenaded and about 60k out of the rebuild before it did the same. Then we stuffed a 350 gasser in it and sent it down the road. That was 2 Chevvies in one for me - the first and the last. I always thought the 6.5 was more or less reliable but I don't know anyone who would say that about the 6.2

opus · December 06, 2014, 10:34:26 AM

Quote from: bobofthenorth on December 06, 2014, 10:29:02 AM
Your bar for defining something as "good" must be pretty low. I took the Chevy cure with a new 1986 2500 pickup with a 6.2 I got 120,000 km out of the first engine before it grenaded and about 60k out of the rebuild before it did the same. Then we stuffed a 350 gasser in it and sent it down the road. That was 2 Chevvies in one for me - the first and the last. I always thought the 6.5 was more or less reliable but I don't know anyone who would say that about the 6.2

Well, "good" in the context of choices. "If" you got a 6.2 that didnt grenade, and there actually were a few of them, they were good to putt around with. I wouldnt pull anything with it or work it hard. I know guys that turbo'd them and they actually did "well" for a lot of miles.

Given the choice back then of a 6.2 or the IH 6.9, I'd still be trying to decide.

Now, out of context, the engine was a piece of junk and the 6.5 wasnt far behind.

oldmansax · December 06, 2014, 10:58:48 AM

I guess I'm just blessed with good engines........

I use 'em but try not to abuse 'em. I pull trailers, plow snow, and do just about anything you would do with a truck and not had too many problems. I have a '95 3/4 ton 4x4 I drive mostly with 190K on it. Runs good, drives good, will leak a quart between changes. I have a '98 3/4 ton 4x4 with a long utility body & a lift gate with 310K. It runs and drives fine. Burns some oil. Got an '86 Blazer with the 6.2 I play with. Can't beat that 22 MPG...

But, as one of my friends says, "That's why they make chocolate & vanilla!"

TOM

luvrbus · December 06, 2014, 11:01:11 AM

They turn the 6.5 up to 400 hp in the marine world and they hang there I am running 300 hp with the Humvee turbo that feeds from both sides of the engine not just from 1 manifold with marine injectors and injection pump it hums pretty good and is better on fuel now it pushes the wife 16,000 lb motor home down the road lol stock at 155 hp it was a dog

opus · December 06, 2014, 11:15:02 AM

If you talk mileage, I was pretty fond of my worthless Rabbit diesel pickup thingy, 52mpg. Get you from point A to Point B.

As with anything, maintaining goes a long ways. Wish I had it anyone of the Rabbit diesels I had, now.

oldmansax · December 06, 2014, 01:58:52 PM

Quote from: opus on December 06, 2014, 11:15:02 AM
If you talk mileage, I was pretty fond of my worthless Rabbit diesel pickup thingy, 52mpg. Get you from point A to Point B.

As with anything, maintaining goes a long ways. Wish I had it anyone of the Rabbit diesels I had, now.

We had one of them too and you are right about the mileage! But no A/C and I hate to sweat. LOL Ours was wore right slap out when I bought it but it never left me anywhere. Had to be careful slamming the drivers door 'cause the other side would pop open.

TOM

Beesme · December 08, 2014, 04:41:23 PM

My toad is a 81 rabbit pickup diesel ... I drive it everyday it is freakin awesome....