Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Gunk in coolant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 29, 2012 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
Macmathews's Avatar
Macmathews
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
Gunk in coolant

Went to change my reservoir tank cap and noticed the rubber oring was melted and see some light brown gunk floating around on top?

Just by chance I was reading this could be cracked cups?

How do I tell this and or rule this out?

What are my next steps ?. Advice please

7.3 150'000 miles

Kyle
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2012 | 08:16 PM
  #2  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If it's cracked injector cups, you'll have diesel fuel floating on top of the coolant. Stick your nose down there and see if it smells like diesel fuel.

It could just be time to flush your coolant.
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2012 | 09:01 PM
  #3  
Macmathews's Avatar
Macmathews
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
I tried the smell test and could not tell
I'll have to get my wife sniffer involved since hers is way better.

I was mainly concerned about the mushy rubber oring in the reservoir cap
Thought maybe this was a tell tale

Thanks for your help

Kyle
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 02:18 PM
  #4  
Macmathews's Avatar
Macmathews
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
To relive this thread.. shortly after this I had ALL my injector cups replaced..
Not on mileage but its been just over 2 years and BAM . fuel in the coolant again.
I was thinking this time I would only get the faulty cup changed..
What are your thoughts on this ??
Seems to me like a good idea since 7 cups are likely still good.. Why do all 8 when a single 1 could fail again at any time ?

Kyle
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 02:22 PM
  #5  
jgilrfr's Avatar
jgilrfr
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island,hamilton ny
Club FTE Gold Member
I dont think there is anything wrong with changing one cup,people go thousands and thousands of miles without changing all of them
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 02:23 PM
  #6  
jgilrfr's Avatar
jgilrfr
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island,hamilton ny
Club FTE Gold Member
make sure you change all of the o rings and the copper washers
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 02:25 PM
  #7  
Macmathews's Avatar
Macmathews
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
Since my truck is an excursion .. It would be nice if the issue was in the drivers side bank..
Since there's a nasty heat box to remove on the passenger side.

Any other tips ideas.

Kyle
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 03:19 PM
  #8  
montanasteve's Avatar
montanasteve
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
Check your injector hold down bolt torque before you pull the injectors. Tugly had mentioned that he saw in the Ford service manuals that an injector hold down bolt that has loosened to below 50in-lbs should be pulled to have the cup checked for cracking. That could possibly help narrow down the offending cup, and give a reason as to why it failed.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 04:35 PM
  #9  
Tugly's Avatar
Tugly
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
I don't recall the heat box on the Ex being any different than on the P/U, but I certainly remember that fender well not letting me at the VC bolts from the side.

13mm flex socket took care of the VC bolts down low, and 1/4" universal joint took care of access to the #5 injector bolt. Other than that, foul language helps when the heater stays in place. Ex owners - please correct me if needed.

Yes... check the injector torque - that's what likely killed my cups in the first place.

Replace only the cup found to be bad - good luck isolating that without removing all your injectors. I drained all coolant from the engine, exposed the cups, sprayed them with silicone spray, then pressurized the coolant system to 15 PSI:


I can't stress this enough: Loose injector or poor cup prep will have you in there again. The cup needs a factory-new clean surface to adhere to for a reliable seal.


 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2015 | 12:58 PM
  #10  
Macmathews's Avatar
Macmathews
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
Update..
Was not diesel in coolant..
Was a line of Gunk but my mechanic did find an issue with injector number 8.
Did test of coolant and was less than 3% diesel.
Just thought I would update for reference in the community

Kyle
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Deluxe06
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Mar 4, 2014 02:26 PM
RLICHT
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
23
Dec 8, 2013 08:22 PM
73watermutt
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
17
May 15, 2013 10:52 AM
zeppelingto
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Dec 13, 2012 11:33 AM
jim fowler
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Sep 17, 2009 10:39 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:17 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE