Should I buy? Chevy 6.5L TD
 

I'm looking at buying a 1997 Chevy TurboDiesel 6.5L. It has about 280k miles on it. Anyway, when the owner went to start it, he had to crank it for about 15-20 seconds before he got it going. While he was cranking it, it was puffing whitesh-gray smoke, so I assume it was getting fuel. Once he got it running, he shut it off and started it again, and this time it fired right up no problems. Any ideas on how to fix the problem? How would I go about checking the glow plugs and injectors? I know absolutely nothing about diesels lol.

We let it idle for about 5-10 mins, and I didnt hear any abnormal noises and it ran very smoothly. I have yet to test drive it, but other than that it seems like a decent truck...

I know it seems high-millage, but the body and frame are extremely clean and corrosion free, so if worse comes to worse, I would have a clean truck to put a new engine in. Also, the top-end of the engine was rebuilt, due to the very common cracked-head issue these trucks had. Anyway, what are your thoughts about the starting problem? And he is only asking $3200, is that a good deal? KBB says 3.7k-4.2k...

Offer him $3000 for it, sounds like it needs new glow plugs. Also ask him if he kept the service up on it, ie. changing any or all the fluids and filters on it.

needs new glowplugs and injectors bad. thats what my truck does but only cranks for 5 seconds.

He started at 3500, and I got him down to 3200. He said took good care of it since he's had it, regular maintenance and whatnot. He said he's put new oil and tranny coolers on it, and replaced all the oil lines I guess. He said it blew a oil line right after he bought it from a buddy so he went ahead and fixed all of them while he was in there.

I really want/need a good 4x4 for the winter time, as my mustang isnt gonna cut it. But i've only got around 3500 to spend. this truck just happens to be for sale, but I don't want to buy it if I'm gonna have to sink a ton of money into it. Is it a truck worth messing with? Or should I hold off and save up money this winter and get something else next year?

Glow plugs are about $100 right? What about injectors?

Injectors will run about $300 to have them fully remand. Then here's another issue. If the injector pump hasn't been touched, and you do the injectors, your risking injection pump failure. The pump got use to wore out injectors, then as soon as you have them remand, they call for a higher pop off pressure. I'd go with the glow plugs first.

Went back today to test drive it, and the guy sold it already. guess i didnt jump on it fast enough.... just as well, i want a lower millage truck anyway. thanks for the help guys