I recently picked up my 2002 F350 7.3 after doing research on the type of truck I wanted to tow and have as a DD. While reading information on the net I kept coming across the FTE forum threads with fantastic information, so after buying my truck I went ahead and signed up. Hope eventually I can help others, I love electronic tinkering!

I was taking some pictures of my vehicle the other day and when I came inside to upload them, I like to keep a record for whatever reason, I noticed on the up-pipe driver side that there was some soot coming out of the flange on the bottom.

I'm attaching a pic of what I am seeing, the truck is very clean after they did a good detailing before I bought it so I doubt this was more then hit with a hose or pressure washer on the engine. How much soot is considered really bad and those pipes need to be replaced?

Reading up a bit everybody has said what a PITA this is to do yourself, I'm barely an amateur wrench turner though you wouldn't think it with the toolbox I've acquired. I wouldn't be afraid to attempt changing the up pipes myself, just not sure this would be my best first DIY repair. Is there a way to know how bad this is from the picture?

 

Welcome to FTE....A little leak is to much for me....Looks like a set of international up-pipes are in store in the near future...with the up pipes leaking (even a little) your egts will be high and poor proformance...as far as changing them, that is a moderate job, use plenty of PB blaster to loosen up the nuts and take your time...Probally a 12 pack+ job...

 

Welcome to FTE. Nice banner.

I've seen much worse leaks on the up-pipes. Yours looks pretty minor to me. Keep an eye on it and see if it grows or starts to get soot stains onto the firewall insulation. If you start to see either happen, then you might want to start saving for some bellowed up pipes. You can just replace the doughnut gaskets but the labor is such that most people don't want to mess with it again so they just order the intl pipes and call it good.

 

Just wanted to say nice truck. Looked @ the pics in your garage. Very clean. Also, welcome to fte.

 

Thanks all for the responses, I need to look into it further as the truck has been down at the shop getting a Viper 5901 alarm installed all day after reading about the stolen trucks on the Southern border states.

I've yet to check out the passenger side.

Definitely going to buy from one of the site sponsors as they seem to have the best customer relations, know what they are talking about and make sure to send you all you need to do a DIY project.

 

Also have similiar soot on my up pipes as you. Still makes 24psi, about 5 pounds of boost at 70mph non-towing, EGT's 400-500 around town. Basically drives the same way it always has. Certainly want to fix this soon, but I'm not stressing about it.

 

Welcome to the site. A supporter allready. Way to go. The 4x4 CC trucks seems to allways wind up on the other side of the border. Can't understand why!!!!