New to this

[85boostbox]

Ok well i got a killer deal on a 96 Dodge Ram 3500 dually 4x4 regular cab. I just wanted to know what to look out for on these motors and is there any necesssary protective measures i should do. Truck has a 140,000 miles on it alos. Figured that would help.

[BadAssPerformance]

'96... 12V... replace ro get a spare lift pump?

[85boostbox]

well that ios actually how i got it cheap. Havent really looked at it yet but it smokes a lot and has no power. So i am thinking either lift pump, dirty fuel filter, or water in the lines. Got the truck for 2000 couldnt pass it up

[85boostbox]

especially with only 140000

[BadAssPerformance]

$2k ... if the body is solid.. smokin deal! Pun intended :D

Check injection pump too.. if the lift goes bad it kills the injection pump

[85boostbox]

oh yea TN truck its whole life. Couple dings here and there but no rust and no other known issues. will get pics up thursday

[Evilancer]

What color is the smoke? If it is black, that usually means lack of air, check air filter, turbocharger, and all of the intercooler piping and connections. If it is blue/grey smoke, this can sometimes be an injector problem.
The lift pumps on the 12valve engines is usually pretty reliable since it is mechanical. It's the lift pumps on the 24valves that are weak.

Jon

[Evilancer]

Forgot to mention, after you get the truck running right you will want to do (if it hasn't already been done yet) the KDP (killer dowel pin) mod. It has to do with a dowel pin that can fall into the timing case while the engine running, if it gets caught between the cam and crank gears it will do ALOT of damage. It's a bit of work to do the mod, but the peace of mind is worth it knowing that it is secure.


Jon

[85boostbox]

it is grey smoke. I think it might be water in the fuel.

[drunk on diesel]

gray smoke could also be low timing... if the timing has slipped, the truck will be gutless and white smoke (light blue gray/unburnt diesel)

the factory mechanical lift pumps are very reliable, and the injection pump is very tough, I seriously doubt there's anything wrong with the injection pump with that few miles on it. it's the POS 98-02 24v trucks that you have to worry about the lift and injection pumps.

I'm leaning towards slipped timing with nothing else to go on

[Subliminal]

I'd do the easy stuff first:

Change oil
Replace/check air filter
Replace fuel filter
Put new fuel in it
Check for boost leaks in both intercooler plumbing and around the manifold.

I don't know much about the p-pumped trucks, but I'd jump on tdr or cumminsforum and start searching!

[drunk on diesel]

I'd jump on CompD unless you want to pay $30/yr or get a bunch of regurgitated misinformation :o