I recently moved to Memphis and am in need of some help. My truck is making some crazy noises that I can't pinpoint. Is there anyone around me that has some experience with the 7.3? I am a competent mechanic but have very little experience with these motors. if anyone had some time this weekend and I could meet up to get their opinion I would be very grateful. Thanks.

 

I'm in Drummonds - just above Millington.

How bad is it noise-making?

I had a 6.9 that is the same family (International/navistar)


What do the fluids in it look like? Any sign of cross-bleed?

 

Noise has gotten real bad lately. All fluids seem to be ok as far as I can tell. It sounds like a tensioner from hell has unleashed noise on my motor. It's kinda hard to explain but t is a loud clacking that instantly goes away when I accelerate, bit returns when I get back to idle.

 

A guy I met from another site to buy a muzzle loader, when he showed up, his 7.3 tossed the belt, he found one of the idler pulleys self destructed.

 

What year 7.3?
Have you posted in the diesel section? There are alot of very smart guys that can help there.

Now give us some info on it. What year, wher does the sound come from? does it do it when idling? As much info you can give the better we can help.
If it does it at idle then just pop the hood and try to locate the spot where it is coming from. Use a short piece of garden hose held to your ear to locate the sound better.

 

It's an early 99. I've been trying to find the noise but haven't had much time with work and all. I'm gonna pull the truck on the garage around 3 and check the turbo for slop and a few other things. I've had very little experience with these motors and figured if anyone was around the area I could have another set of ears that were a little better tunes than mine.

 

Do this: It's the fastest way to test the belt tensioner/idler.

Use a half inch drive to let the tension off the idler and remove the belt. It doesn't have to be taken off all the way...

See how the tensioner pulley feels turning it by hand. Also turn the water pump, alternator, and any other pulleys except the crankshaft.

If one of them doesn't turn smoothly or feels like the bearings are shot that's likely it.

If you have a clutch fan, try spinning it too. They go bad sometimes also.

A/C clutches sometimes grenade also - I saw one do it on a Taurus about a year or so back (wasn't pretty). The kid kept driving it even though you could see how bad it was at a glance

 

If you haven't got if fixed by Monday, one of the best diesel mechanics is at Christian Bros. in Cordova. Hopefully its an easy fix. I'm in Bartlett with an '02 7.3, but you'll get better help than I can give you.

 

Yeah I am also in Bartlett, TN too and I think Glenn is right. It might be best to take it to Christian bros to a look see. Unfortunately my mechanic skills are limited and just good enough to be dangerous haha. Good luck bra.

 

Replaced the tensioner yesterday because the old one was moving quite a bit until I hit the throttle and it stopped. Unfortunately that did not solve my problem with the noise. I am supposed to be having a friend of my neighbor who used to work on his 7.3 come look at it. If he is lost then I'll bring it up to the Christian Brothers shop and have them look at it.

 

Flywheel or TC is cracked I am 99% sure. I'm gonna be pulling the transmission Friday afternoon/evening. If anyone wants to help out send me a message and I can give you directions (I'm 5 min from Wolfchase). Anyone who shows I'll grill or cook something for you.