Hey guys,
7.3L hanging out in the v10 forum, now play nice
Good friend just bought a v10, I think it's a 2003 - F350 FX4 LB, XLT I think. Of course I think he does things backwards sometimes (hope you're reading this thread dude ) and I think he bought it without much of an inspection.
He's on the other side of the country or I'd be looking at the truck myself, but need ya'lls v10 experience. What does he need to be looking at on the truck? My impression is that the v10 is basically a "keep the fluids changed" engine, maybe with a few things to watch out for?

Thanks ya'll...

 

That's about right. If the plugs are changed every 60k and the oil changes at regular intervals, the 200k engine probably has another 100k left in it, maybe more. The larger issue is the tranny condition.

Pap

 

The most expensive potential problem would be exhaust studs. They are a major pain to fix. Other than that, routine maintenence and fluid changes will probably be the norm for another 100K or so. Tranny may be an issue if it hasn't been properly cared for.

 

I agree about the tranny, I'm trying to convince him to send fluids off to Blackstone to see how healthy the engine and trans are.

I've read a bit here and there about exhaust studs, are there warning signs / what to look for etc (I'm searching the forum right now...)

Also saw something about replacing spark plug boots?

Thanks!

 

With the exhaust studs, just get a mirror and check that they are all there and intact. Significant rust and deterioration of the nuts mean failure soon. The symptoms of failing exhaust manifold studs are a ticking noise upon cold start that goes away when the engine warms up. After awhile, it won't go away and just get worse.

Sparkplug boots are often replaced when the plugs are replaced or at least should be. They sit down in the sparkplug well and seal out water and dirt from the coils. Heat and time deteriorate these so they develop cracks and splits. This allows water and dirt to go where they can cause problems. The boots are relatively inexpensive and should be replaced every 75K in my opinion. Others here think that that is too long and 50K is better. You can decide that one for yourself. FORD recommends 100K miles for plug replacement but it has been proven that is too long to leave the plug in the engine. It has more to do with the ease of removing the plug after it and the head have been together that long than actual failure of the plug.

 

Look up a few threads and you'll find a V10 guy who just hit 400K miles, so these things will last as long as you keep up the minor maintenance that all engines need. I think it all depends on how it was treated by the last owner.

 

Well for me a truck with 200k on the clock wouldnt even be an option even if it's powered my "Mr. Fusion" from back to the future. But I understand people have budgets. After checking above mentioned parts on the motor what about all the other expensive wearable parts that help a truck also drive down the road. Ball joints, steering gear, u-joints, brakes, etc.... I'm a little biases being in the rust belt as things just rot away and a 200,000mi truck would be a rusty mess.

 

That's a good point. Just because the engine is in good shape doesn't mean the rest of the truck is. We have a shop truck at work that has about 80K on it and it's beat to death, yet a few years ago I nearly bought a V10 Superduty that had 150K on it and it looked like brand new, inside and out. I think you need to take the entire truck as a whole into consideration when buying a high-mile vehicle.

 

I bought my current rig with only 25k miles and it had a host of smaller problems and one big one in a cracked exhause manifold. Luckily under warranty. Just saying.

 

Thanks guys - I'll tell him about how to look at the exh studs and about the plugs and boots as well. He was shopping diesel, but the gasser fits his needs and (IMHO) he saved a bunch of money and hassle over getting a 6.0.

He even has me thinking about the 6.2 in my next truck lol