6.5 Turbo Deisel

[pmax]

I am looking at a '97 GMC Sierra 3500, 4wd, stake body dump with 67,000 miles. All my trucks are currently gas. I would like to know the reputation of the 6.5 TD.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Avoid it like you would the plague.

[04JJHD]

it's just better to buy a duramax. The 6.5 was a dog and it had many reliability problems. Any money you will save by buying that 97 will be spent on the motor. You will have much more power and be so much more reliable with a duramax

[KMGZ400]

from my expirences and what i know about the 6.5, you will go through injectors like diapers.

[pmax]

Thanks guys. Glad I asked.

[Prokopchuk_9]

STAY AWAY!

[04JJHD]

just remember the first generation d-max had injector problems. They were replaced under warrenty with the same injectors so I'm told.

[jro909]

never ever buy a gm diesel unless its a form of the duramax

[plowking]

What is the asking price for the 6.5.? I run one and son in law has one. We have done all the updates on ours and you have to pay attention to sensors ,glow plugs,etc. I had to do glow plugs early because I may have hurt them running a battery charger while trying to crank it over. AM General still makes an updated and improved version of the 6.5 for the military humvees. I wouldn't count on my 6.5 as a daily driver,but plow snow and do errands with it. plowking

[K20and2500HD]

The 6.5L is like a shot in the barrel. You either get a lemon or you get a good one. I have a friend that built a 6.5L with different turbo, fuel pump and computer and it runs as good as any stock duramax or some with a tune. In all respects I had a CAT diesel builder tell me that if your motor was built Monday -Wednesday it was better than Thursday-Friday. Main reason is that they cared more earlier in the week or they were dynoing higher than the standard. The other thing is that I have learned that a dog diesel will do better with a tune than a good running diesel from the factory. That aside, the 6.5L was not built to compete with the powerstroke or the cummins at that time it was built for mileage and longevity. I know some that lasted 30,000 miles and some that have over 300,000 miles. So if you want a diesel get it and expect the usual diesel problems, I wouldn't be afraid of a 6.5L, but i would tune it and change the turbo though. Just my two cents.

[jro909]

The 6.5L is like a shot in the barrel. You either get a lemon or you get a good one. I have a friend that built a 6.5L with different turbo, fuel pump and computer and it runs as good as any stock duramax or some with a tune. In all respects I had a CAT diesel builder tell me that if your motor was built Monday -Wednesday it was better than Thursday-Friday. Main reason is that they cared more earlier in the week or they were dynoing higher than the standard. The other thing is that I have learned that a dog diesel will do better with a tune than a good running diesel from the factory. That aside, the 6.5L was not built to compete with the powerstroke or the cummins at that time it was built for mileage and longevity. I know some that lasted 30,000 miles and some that have over 300,000 miles. So if you want a diesel get it and expect the usual diesel problems, I wouldn't be afraid of a 6.5L, but i would tune it and change the turbo though. Just my two cents.

 

 

Its only voted by the majority the worst light duty diesel every made along with the 6.2 but i don't hate it because it forced GM to make the best diesel on the market

[KMGZ400]

The 6.5L is like a shot in the barrel. You either get a lemon or you get a good one. I have a friend that built a 6.5L with different turbo, fuel pump and computer and it runs as good as any stock duramax or some with a tune. In all respects I had a CAT diesel builder tell me that if your motor was built Monday -Wednesday it was better than Thursday-Friday. Main reason is that they cared more earlier in the week or they were dynoing higher than the standard. The other thing is that I have learned that a dog diesel will do better with a tune than a good running diesel from the factory. That aside, the 6.5L was not built to compete with the powerstroke or the cummins at that time it was built for mileage and longevity. I know some that lasted 30,000 miles and some that have over 300,000 miles. So if you want a diesel get it and expect the usual diesel problems, I wouldn't be afraid of a 6.5L, but i would tune it and change the turbo though. Just my two cents.

 

 

Its only voted by the majority the worst light duty diesel every made along with the 6.2 but i don't hate it because it forced GM to make the best diesel on the market

 

 

 

i agree. i know of someone who had a 6.5 and went through 9 injectors after only 110k miles.

[K20and2500HD]

I wasn't saying it was the best diesel in the world, I was just saying that some can be decent motors. I guess I'm so partial because its a GM

[KMGZ400]

the engine is a real workhorse though... i dont think its a bad engine...

[gmtech4]

my 6.2 has 400k KM on it ,in its second veh,2 pumps ,go to work truck.love it