what to check when looking for a new 6.5
 

looking at a 1995 c/k ext cab 2500 6.5 turbo with 180k miles. Check engine light is on. I dont have OBD1 so i dont know what could be the reason for check engine light he says its the EGR needs to be replaced. but i test drove and i only drove it cold for about 4 min. it blew a decent amount of smoke. Im new to the diesel world especially these 6.5 turbos. I just dont want to buy the truck and be stuck putting 1000's into it right away truck is in perfect shape was garage kept never towed or plowed with it is bone stock as well. looking to purchase it this weekend i just dont know if turbo is bad? or how to check if i will be dumping $$$ into this motor since he said he has never done injectors or glowplugs and injector pump. otherwise truck is perfect. Let me know what too look for. thanks guys!

also tell me what i should do to it right away when i purchase oil change, filters, injectors etc...

sounds like maybe boost solenoid is bad in it. remove oil fill cap while engine is running if it has lots of smoke puffin out then it has lots of blow by and engines no good.if u start truck up when its cold and feel radiator hose and if it has pressure they bad headgasket. right away you should change the oil and use shell rotella 15w40 8quarts and dont use a fram filter.and change fuel filter as well and the harmonic balancer as these are required to be changed every 100,000 or theyll snap a crankshaft. but i wouldnt pay over $5000

If it's a 2500 series I dont know that they had EGR's look a the 8th digit of the vin# and if it is a S then it has a EGR system if it is a F it has no EGR and watch the following video and check the codes for yourself never take someone else's word for that kind of thing

Thanks for the help guys! it is an S Vin it does have an egr it is a 2500 non heave duty. the guy is letting me take it for $3500, picking it up in a few days. How can i tell if turbo is bad Though? Or anything else big repair wise will go bad?

remove intake boot and feel the slop on turbine wheel some side to side play is ok but in and out play is not...no big deal if it is turbo rebuild kits are only $50 for these and a good used turbo usually run around 100-150

Side to side play in a turbo is whats bad-it can allow the turbine to hit the housing-endplay is not good but less troublesome.