93 Chevy 2500 flatbed with 3116 Cat Diesel. Issues?

**Lynn** · #1 11-09-2022, 06:55 AM

May have a chance to buy a 93 2500 with the Cat 6.6 engine.

EDIT: UPON FURTHER REVIEW, IT MAY BE A 6.2 DURAMAX V8 DIESEL, NATURALLY ASPRIATED AND A BIT UNDERPOWERED. IF SO, I AM NOT INTERESTED.

Body is pristine, but paint is faded.

Not a dually.

Flat bed (was sold as an "incomplete" truck).

Auto trans (would rather it had a 5 speed).

67k miles, but been sitting for a while.

A buddy of mine let his old Dodge truck sit for 6 years (Cummins Diesel). All he did was change the oil, put in fresh fuel and start it up. Apparently diesel fuel doesn't turn to varnish like regular fuel.

I may take a HD battery with me to go look at it, to make sure it cranks.

Any reason to shy away from this engine? Seems most diesels are good for at least 200k miles.

I have never owned a diesel.

Any advice?

**njsteve** · #2 11-09-2022, 10:05 AM

Diesel doesnt turn to varnish but it does absorb moisture and get algae in it which can destroy injectors, pumps etc. That's why they have water traps/drains in the fuel system.

And older diesel engines were designed to run on higher sulfer content diesel (no longer available) which requires an additive added to evey fuel tank. The sulpher in the diesel acted as a lubricant for the moving parts in the pump and injectors.

That 1993 naturally aspirated 6.2 was only 150 hp and 280 lbs of torque. Not very dependable. Very underpowered and no one is around to work on them any more (other than me) :-)

I would pass on it.

I've been running my 6.5 turbo-diesel Suburban for 27 years now.

**Too Many Projects** · #3 11-09-2022, 01:34 PM

Steve is right on. IF it has a Cat engine, it is a transplant. A 3116 should be electronic injectors with a turbo. Electronic injectors are not as susceptible to the ultra low sulfur fuel. Again, IF it has the correct Allison behind it, it could be a strong combination.

Might be worth a trip to check it out. IF it is a Cat, get the info off the assembly tag on the block to research the build, especially date of manufacture. Some of the early 31 series Cats had a history of head gasket issues. The 3176 did, but I'm not familiar with the smaller 3116.
Steve mentions algae in the fuel. This can be picked up at a station with contaminated fuel too. My '92 Pete got a dose of it once and it can be remedied with treatment, but it is a PITA to clear up.