Total newbie here, I am a little intimidated by the whole forum, but I have gained so much information from reading about other peoples experiences I will risk ridicule to post my new diesel purchase. I will be picking it up out of state in about a week and driving home about 550 miles. I will be needing a lot of help as it is a fixer upper and has several current issues including no fuel gauge, Air conditioning, Cruise control and probably some others I don't know about yet. By the way it is a 1997 Dodge 2500 extended cab with automatic transmission. The wife insisted on this feature. I live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago and in the 5 years living here so far, I have not met a single person that works on his own vehicles and parts seem to be Internet only except for very basic stuff you can get at Autozone or such.
Wish me luck.

 

how many miles are on it ? Bye the way good luck

 

Thanks, I will need all the luck possible. The truck has just north of 200 k on the clock.

 

Congrats on the new truck and good luck. 200k ain't anything on the truck you just bought.
I would worry about anyone ridiculing you on the truck for one thing I haven't found a lot of that going on hear we may drive different trucks but we are all diesel guys and girls and you bought a 97 Cummins which is a very good diesel with about endless potential. If you have any questions there are a lot of people on here with a lot of knowledge on them and I am sure they would be more than happy to help you.

 

Thanks for the encouragement.
I meant making mistakes with forum use more than anything.
I know just enough about computers to be dangerous, but I absolutely draw the line with text messages.

 

Don't to worried I can't be much better than you with the computer.

 

Ask the current owner these questions:

How old is the fuel filter? What mods if any has he done or knows about? When and at what mileage was the last routine maintenance performed? He or she should be able to tell you. 550 miles isn't much of a haul but, if you start out with a filthy fuel filter it my sour you on the whole purchase.

Just my opinion, yours may vary.

 

Thanks for the tips. Can you change a fuel filter in a parking lot? Without re priming the system? How sensitive is it to getting an air bubble? I know he had the in tank fuel pump replaced in the last year.

 

well im really happy for you. dont be afraid to poast every once in a while. the only stupid question is the one you didnt ask. the fuel filter on our 12V's is a real bugger. its way in the back. but after your filter back on fill it with diesel and prime it for a few minuted then just crank till she starts.

 

Luke