Welcome here! What you found is the best place on the net for 6.5 information and knowledgable 6.5 people; you can find out all about your truck right here, so read lots, check out the 6.5 Technical Library in my signature, and use the link (in my signature) to update and fill in YOUR signature, so we can see your truck.
The problems your mechanic is talking about include:
- being too advanced for most mechanics. A LOT of mechanics just don't understand how a 6.5 works, and so they automatically just change parts every time something hiccups. A favourite part to change is the injection pump, which can cost $2000 ... When often, the problem is a simple and cheap fix.
- physical failures caused by trying to get too much HP out of the engine... It is a great light-duty diesel, but it isn't going to be a heavy towing truck, a sled-puller, or a race truck
- problems with overheating... But we know how to fix that.
Matter of fact, the guys around here know how to fix most every issue with these trucks, including making them pull heavy and reliably, getting some serious scoot out of them, and making them reliable.
welcome aboard!!
Jim
I am a new owner of a 1997 6.5 Chevy c3500 2wd . I just discovered this site and it looks promising for getting info on this engine. The engine has 289,000 miles on it!! So far I have put 30 miles on it and its a joy to drive compared to the dodge cummins I just got rid of. I hope I made the right choice, because the mechanic who put the new radiator in for me, recommended I sell the truck asap because these engines have all sorts of problems he told me. So, here I am trying to see what I can learn about the issues these engines can have.
