Thinking about purchasing a truck, 150k on odometer. Took a test drive, seems to run OK, a little rough at idle, hitting on all 8 under a load. 7.3 litre.

Am I taking a chance with that high of mileage? Will all 7.3's go to 300k?

Does Kelley Blue Book get the value right?

I guess you never know whats really wrong until you own it.....

 

My 92 has 215,000 and I can still pull big TT w/o any problem. I dont even consider a diesel broke in until 100,000 miles

 

I would consider the 100k being brake in aswell, now as this applies with all engines in my opinion I believe that if the truck is maintained well depends on how long it will last, a friend of mine has a f250 92.5 7.3l and he has 519k on the clock, he beats the daylights out of it every winter while commercial snow plowing, truck runs okay and the body is in need of serious work but it still goes, this is the reason I chose to get my IDI over a 96 powerstroke that I was originally going to pick up

Edit: another thing that hooked me was parts pricing, you will find that it can be cheaper to maintain one of these older diesels than the newer as I have learned

 

Well, Considering the odometer has 5 digits it cannot have 150K on it, so it likely has ?50k, That means it could be 150k, 250k, 350k, etc...

If it's been taken care of a 7.3 will go much further than 300k, if not, it could be junk.

The best thing you can do is get to the truck before it has been started for the day, start it and see how it starts... BE WARNED! Those that know how to hide the IDI issues will try and not allow you to see it cold started.

It should start instantly and run clean and smooth, if it doesn't start right up easy STOP!, do a quick Glow Plug test with a test light ... Glow Plug Test, before starting.

Once it starts immediately smell the exhaust, if it's sweet smelling, RUN!
I mean once it starts run around to the exhaust and smell it.
A sweet smell to the exhaust is burning coolant.

Now that you have it running pull the rad cap and stick a 5 tab coolant test strip in it... If it passes the coolant test, keep looking at the truck, if not RUN!

One of the issues with the 7.3 if it has not been maintained is called Cavitation.

You don't mention Year or Cost???

I personally would not pay any attention to Kelly Blue Book or any other pricing books.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

festus I have a digital odometer in my truck, could my truck have more miles on it than the 70k read?

 

I have not agreed upon a cost yet, 2001 7.3 F350 supercab. 4x4. I'm coming up with . KBB around 11000 in good condition Private Party Value....

If I don't get this one and start looking at dealers, what do I get? Why buy from a dealer? They are not offering any warranty and they want 2k-3k more.... I can't see paying 2-3k for a better wash job.

I saw a crew cab 2002? short bed 4x4 go for 9500 last night on ebay, a little rusty but 70k on the odometer, a little far for me to go, but that seemed like a good deal.

 

hey redbug wrong spot in forum you got a 7.3l powerstroke not a idi so you dont need to worry bout cavatation cause your block is heavier thicker you need to go to this forum https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum31/ here is my uncles name (zx250) send him a friend request he has a 7.3 powerstroke same motor as you he will tell you more but 150,000 on it if maintained is nada nothing those have more power options to like dp tuner etc. but cost more to fix newer engine

 

i would buy private some dealers like to lie or bend the words if you get what im sayin

 

mines digital and it says a true all digit 230,000

 

Digitals typically have 6 + 1 positions, the 80-86 Fords (As correct for this forum) have 5 + 1.

[edit] Whoops ... the 80-86 Fords (As correct for this forum) ... Wrong forum for that statement! [/edit]

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

ya mines a 94 so yours still maynot be same powerstroker

 

You Americans can cheat with your mileage by having only 5 digits.

Since here in Canada we are in Kilometers since 1975, we've had 6 digits since the late 70's/early 80's.

Can't cheat other than backing up the numbers. lol


If that 7.3 does really only have 150k, if it's running rough at idle, could simply be in need of a new set of injectors.

 

This whole thread is moot ... it's a Powerstroke

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

ya i noticed that and showed him where to go and all he was a little confused lol