Newbie Needs Help

[Crockett]

I recently bought a 1990 Mack MR688S that has a bunch of stuff wrong with it. It had been sitting for a few years and I thought I was getting a good deal at $8,000... I knew the truck needed some work, but I'm not that familiar with big trucks and I think I may have made a mistake. I took the truck to a hydraulics guy to fix some of the roll-off hoist's hydraulic leaks. I thought it would be a few hundred bucks to replace the seals, but the guy said I would easily put $10,000 in fixing the hydraulic cylinders and pump. WOW!!! Apparently the guy saw some pitting on one of the rods and figured the four main cylinders will need to be re-honed and the rods re-done, not to mention the tarping mechanism needs work too. Oh, and the guy said the hoses are all dry rotted. When I looked at the truck, the hydraulics worked, but were loosing a lot of fluid from around the seal areas.

I have a lead on a replacement hoist for $1,500 that is in working condition, but I will need to follow up with the guys to see if it's any better than what I already have. The hoist came off a working roll-off truck in good condition, so I hope the hoist will be in pretty good shape.

As for the truck itself, it runs and drives, but definitely needs some attention. It's got a small fuel leak around the fuel injector pump (needs the hose replaced on the back?), there is an oil leak of some kind, the temp gauges for the engine and trans do not work, the A/C needs work, the kingpins are shot, the front bearings will need to be replaced, the windows do not want to roll up (just need grease?), the plastic yellow air brake button needs to be replaced (just broke off), speedometer doesn't work, front brake pads will need to be replaced soon, needs windshield wiper blades replaced, some blinker lights not working, headlights not working right (think it might be the dimmer switch), and of course it needs all the fluids and filters changed. I'm sure there is a bunch of other stuff too that I have just not noticed yet.

I am looking for a service manual and any good leads on where to find replacement parts, oil filters, brake pads, wiper blades, etc. I've heard you can get parts from China that are good and not as expensive as the Mack name brand ones. Any ideas? I'm trying to keep the costs down on the parts, since the truck will need quite a bit of work.

Thanks,

Matt in South Carolina

[RowdyRebel]

I recently bought a 1990 Mack MR688S that has a bunch of stuff wrong with it. It had been sitting for a few years and I thought I was getting a good deal at $8,000... I knew the truck needed some work, but I'm not that familiar with big trucks and I think I may have made a mistake. I took the truck to a hydraulics guy to fix some of the roll-off hoist's hydraulic leaks. I thought it would be a few hundred bucks to replace the seals, but the guy said I would easily put $10,000 in fixing the hydraulic cylinders and pump. WOW!!! Apparently the guy saw some pitting on one of the rods and figured the four main cylinders will need to be re-honed and the rods re-done, not to mention the tarping mechanism needs work too. Oh, and the guy said the hoses are all dry rotted. When I looked at the truck, the hydraulics worked, but were loosing a lot of fluid from around the seal areas.

I have a lead on a replacement hoist for $1,500 that is in working condition, but I will need to follow up with the guys to see if it's any better than what I already have. The hoist came off a working roll-off truck in good condition, so I hope the hoist will be in pretty good shape.

As for the truck itself, it runs and drives, but definitely needs some attention. It's got a small fuel leak around the fuel injector pump (needs the hose replaced on the back?), there is an oil leak of some kind, the temp gauges for the engine and trans do not work, the A/C needs work, the kingpins are shot, the front bearings will need to be replaced, the windows do not want to roll up (just need grease?), the plastic yellow air brake button needs to be replaced (just broke off), speedometer doesn't work, front brake pads will need to be replaced soon, needs windshield wiper blades replaced, some blinker lights not working, headlights not working right (think it might be the dimmer switch), and of course it needs all the fluids and filters changed. I'm sure there is a bunch of other stuff too that I have just not noticed yet.

I am looking for a service manual and any good leads on where to find replacement parts, oil filters, brake pads, wiper blades, etc. I've heard you can get parts from China that are good and not as expensive as the Mack name brand ones. Any ideas? I'm trying to keep the costs down on the parts, since the truck will need quite a bit of work.

Thanks,

Matt in South Carolina

Sometimes, you get what you pay for. When I need parts, I prefer OEM...might save a few bucks on the cheaper stuff, but it won't perform as well or last as long as the original equipment. Buy sub-par, chinacrap parts and the work that you do now will probably need to be redone before too long.

[BHWizard]

I hope you have a lot of really good paying work for this truck and really like to get greasy and spends lots of money. Do not worry about fixing every leak. In the beginning just fix what you have to to pass inspection,BE SAFE, and do the work you need done. As profits allow start fixing the things most needed to insure that money keeps flowing. Paint and chrome seldom make any money.

The better option is probbly to put the truck back on the market or sell it for scrap. You can buy a good working truck for less than what you are going to spend fixing the old battle scared dog.

I can sell you a 1984 W model that is in excellant condition and ready to work just add a driver and fuel. $4000.00

BHWizard

270.678.7215

[HeavyGunner]

Bummer, sounds like you got took. I think BHWizard has the right idea, unless you're in love with this truck and are planning on keeping it for 20+ years cut your losses now and sell it. Sounds like a money pit and money pit's are hard to make any money with. Just my opinion on the situation.