6.5 turbo diesel 95

[Alice]

Never mind the 4 wheel drive floor shifter jumping into neutral again this morning, always good for a scare, I made it to my dentist appointment. Only to come out to find the suburban wouldnt start. Wore two batteries down trying. Diesel shop guy shows up, tests a couple of diesel fuel pressures. Unplugs the PMD, plugs in a loaner and we drive to the shop. At the shop he tests the waste gate solenoid, it's junk for sure. Changes it, unplugs the loaner PMD and plugs the old one back in. It starts, again and again. Now I've replaced probably 10 PMDs over the 17 years I've owned the truck. I replace em at the first burp, stall or engine light. But today they said not only could the waste gate solenoid be burning the PMDs out left and right, but they might have saved this one. Go see how it goes. Really? Hasnt already proved to be going to shit? Am I just asking for another breakdown?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Alice

Never mind the 4 wheel drive floor shifter jumping into neutral again this morning, always good for a scare, I made it to my dentist appointment. Only to come out to find the suburban wouldnt start. Wore two batteries down trying. Diesel shop guy shows up, tests a couple of diesel fuel pressures. Unplugs the PMD, plugs in a loaner and we drive to the shop. At the shop he tests the waste gate solenoid, it's junk for sure. Changes it, unplugs the loaner PMD and plugs the old one back in. It starts, again and again. Now I've replaced probably 10 PMDs over the 17 years I've owned the truck. I replace em at the first burp, stall or engine light. But today they said not only could the waste gate solenoid be burning the PMDs out left and right, but they might have saved this one. Go see how it goes. Really? Hasnt already proved to be going to shit? Am I just asking for another breakdown?

why do you need such a large, old , and diesel powered vehicle ? why not get a newer gas engine 4X4 vehicle ? 1995 makes this vehicle an expensive keeper.

when winter temps comes the gas will be an easier start.

[Alice]

I work oil field, my diesel is free. I deliver cheques and sometime parts no matter the weather, it's been unstoppable. I also live in a rural Alberta and have 3 kids, who always want to bring 3 friends along. We take everyone everywhere, many memories in that suburban. I bought the vehicle before I had kids, when I could afford to pay it out right, so there are no payments attached to this truck, I dread the payments on a new one. For winter I have an extra heater, starting is never a problem, super cold I have a shop to put it in. When all is good with my suburban, life is good. My husband drives a new Ram, he had at least 5-6 new trucks since we bought mine. He breaks down seemingly more often, his break downs always are more expensive than my break downs. I've been waiting for the "big one" to happen to my suburban, but it just isnt happening. So it serves me well and I keep every dollar she makes for me. After 17 years I have also become very attached, I feel very safe driving it. For now it allows me to save money for my kids future education and probably a new truck when something happens to it and it wont be worth fixing. A PMD is a cheap fix, the waste gate solenoid was $50 plus that minimum 1 hour shop time. I dont think I can beat this deal. I know it can only last so long, I want to milk it for all it's worth. I just made an appointment for a new PMD, apparently it's on warranty at my regular diesel shop, glad now I didnt insist they put a new one on at the shop that couldnt cover my warranty. So onward it goes... for now.

[777stickman]

Originally Posted by Alice

I work oil field, my diesel is free. I deliver cheques and sometime parts no matter the weather, it's been unstoppable. I also live in a rural Alberta and have 3 kids, who always want to bring 3 friends along. We take everyone everywhere, many memories in that suburban. I bought the vehicle before I had kids, when I could afford to pay it out right, so there are no payments attached to this truck, I dread the payments on a new one. For winter I have an extra heater, starting is never a problem, super cold I have a shop to put it in. When all is good with my suburban, life is good. My husband drives a new Ram, he had at least 5-6 new trucks since we bought mine. He breaks down seemingly more often, his break downs always are more expensive than my break downs. I've been waiting for the "big one" to happen to my suburban, but it just isnt happening. So it serves me well and I keep every dollar she makes for me. After 17 years I have also become very attached, I feel very safe driving it. For now it allows me to save money for my kids future education and probably a new truck when something happens to it and it wont be worth fixing. A PMD is a cheap fix, the waste gate solenoid was $50 plus that minimum 1 hour shop time. I dont think I can beat this deal. I know it can only last so long, I want to milk it for all it's worth. I just made an appointment for a new PMD, apparently it's on warranty at my regular diesel shop, glad now I didnt insist they put a new one on at the shop that couldnt cover my warranty. So onward it goes... for now.

Alice: Very well said. I am very much a fan of older cars. Why pay a $500-$800 monthly payment for something that only a dealer can fix for more$$!! Hang in there girl..........

[Alice]

Thanks Stickman. I dropped by to say I'm in heaven! After a trip to my favorite diesel shop to replace that PMD on warranty, the guy noticed my little 4 wheel drive - drive shaft U-joints needed to be replaced, or at least one of em - for $21 @ he did both. Took it for a little drive after replacing the PMD and had that figured by the time he got back. They also said my batteries were shot and replaced those too. Charged me one hour labor, said they cover the rest because of the PMD warranty. Fantastic. Been nothing but gone ever since.

Tip for ya... Get the D-Tech PMD, has a 1 year warranty. The common Stanadyne PMD, even the new revised grey one, is only carried for 6 months. Also they are seeing the new and supposedly improved grey ones coming back already. Toss your old PMD if it started that last time and got you to the shop, in the back for when the new one eventually gives out. One plug-in and your on the road again.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Alice

I work oil field, my diesel is free. I deliver cheques and sometime parts no matter the weather, it's been unstoppable. I also live in a rural Alberta and have 3 kids, who always want to bring 3 friends along. We take everyone everywhere, many memories in that suburban. I bought the vehicle before I had kids, when I could afford to pay it out right, so there are no payments attached to this truck, I dread the payments on a new one. For winter I have an extra heater, starting is never a problem, super cold I have a shop to put it in. When all is good with my suburban, life is good. My husband drives a new Ram, he had at least 5-6 new trucks since we bought mine. He breaks down seemingly more often, his break downs always are more expensive than my break downs. I've been waiting for the "big one" to happen to my suburban, but it just isnt happening. So it serves me well and I keep every dollar she makes for me. After 17 years I have also become very attached, I feel very safe driving it. For now it allows me to save money for my kids future education and probably a new truck when something happens to it and it wont be worth fixing. A PMD is a cheap fix, the waste gate solenoid was $50 plus that minimum 1 hour shop time. I dont think I can beat this deal. I know it can only last so long, I want to milk it for all it's worth. I just made an appointment for a new PMD, apparently it's on warranty at my regular diesel shop, glad now I didnt insist they put a new one on at the shop that couldnt cover my warranty. So onward it goes... for now.

17 years with lets say 220,000miles is about the MAX you can get before the repair bills add up. if you lived in a city with short trip and help near by you can get by with a vehicle having frequent breakdowns. The newer SUV vehicles may be of a lower quality but do ride alot better. free fuel is a nice deal for you. they still make diesel engines for these type vehicles.

I never had car payments so I can't comment on that issue. I too keep my vehicles a long time BUT when the time comes, I make my decision to dump it I find in the long run it is much better to sell a running vehicle than a dead one .

since 1967 I have owned 4 vehicles. the 2000 vehicle is #4. thats 13 yrs old with CASH ready to by a new vehicle should the shit hit the fan , or I feel its at its end.

another issue is as they get into this age 17 years the parts get to be harder to find.

I would look around for a replacement vehicle that you can afford that is newer.

take some pictures of the old girl for your memories.

[Alice]

I just wrote this down for my oil change recently, 359 000 miles. Thermostat stuck and I burned it up at 250 000, so there was a 4800$ fix there including heads. Then 8 years ago we had some heavy duty transmission put in it, I still go to that transmission shop to check them under fluids when I have a minute. My plan is to keep it around the acreage, gotta haul a stinky Pyrenees to the vet, brought 40 35lb Burnco blocks home to build a fire pit once, furniture, I bring everything home, got a 3 bike rack, we haul water a mile and 1/2 with a trailor tank and I have dragged the husband's Ram home or out of the mud from time to time. Even fully loaded and everything works, no rust, chrome and all that stuff that makes it look special... husband says no one would hardly want to give me a dollar for it, not even as a trade.

I was in last year to look at the new Suburbans, there was no diesels they said just yet. And oh yes I noticed that quality you mentioned, it just seemed they used to go all out. Loaded, everything the same as what I got cept mirrors that turn blue when lights come up behind me to reduce glare, missing leather steering wheel and a few goodies more... $80 000!! I don't know what I'll drive then. Husband swears it'll be a Dodge, I 've been told to buy a used Duramax... I really have never put any real thought into it. But I know its a coming, I ever see a river of coolant on the highway behind me again and I wont be pulling over this time, just make it home and that'll be all I ask for.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Alice

I just wrote this down for my oil change recently, 359 000 miles. Thermostat stuck and I burned it up at 250 000, so there was a 4800$ fix there including heads. Then 8 years ago we had some heavy duty transmission put in it, I still go to that transmission shop to check them under fluids when I have a minute. My plan is to keep it around the acreage, gotta haul a stinky Pyrenees to the vet, brought 40 35lb Burnco blocks home to build a fire pit once, furniture, I bring everything home, got a 3 bike rack, we haul water a mile and 1/2 with a trailor tank and I have dragged the husband's Ram home or out of the mud from time to time. Even fully loaded and everything works, no rust, chrome and all that stuff that makes it look special... husband says no one would hardly want to give me a dollar for it, not even as a trade.

I was in last year to look at the new Suburbans, there was no diesels they said just yet. And oh yes I noticed that quality you mentioned, it just seemed they used to go all out. Loaded, everything the same as what I got cept mirrors that turn blue when lights come up behind me to reduce glare, missing leather steering wheel and a few goodies more... $80 000!! I don't know what I'll drive then. Husband swears it'll be a Dodge, I 've been told to buy a used Duramax... I really have never put any real thought into it. But I know its a coming, I ever see a river of coolant on the highway behind me again and I wont be pulling over this time, just make it home and that'll be all I ask for.

since you do live out in the wild areas I guess you do need a powerful large vehicle to do what is required to get the work done. that will cost more for a vehicle to handle it.