it has been around 2dres. last couple mornings no problems, warmer this morning, started let warmup see oil dripping front driverside, just one drop on front of oil cooler. rest was on cross member not alot. i have wiped it down and have not seen any more leak at all. howhard is it to due o-rings? due you have to drain oil& water? any help app. thanks al

 

when time comes for me to rebuild mine, i'm, draining both

 

here is the kit I purchased. There is a link to instructions oh how to near the bottom of the page.
Ford 7.3 Diesel Oil Cooler Repair Kit

 

i'am going to order from clay now, thanks. havto o to vagas next month don't need any problems.

 

Thats a good place to get it. That is the one from Guzzel that I used.
Here is a good write up on how to as well.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...e-of-year.html

I would suggest draining the radiator and then take the block heater out. Not sure if it was because it was still a little warm but when I removed that block heater. Wellllll I dont want to talk about the mess.
Also it made it alot easier for me to take the power steering alternator mount loose. I left the two attached to the mount and just moved it forward to get to the front bolts on the cooler.
Good Luck

 

You might be able to get the parts you need from a IH dealer for a few $$ cheaper!

 

I too removed the bracket that holds the alternator and power steering pump against the block and this allowed very easy access to the bolts on the front header of the oil cooler assembly. While it is apart make sure you inspect and clean all the parts - you might should paint the exterior with some 'hell-fire' corrosion resistant paint prior to installation.

 

caverjoe thanks for the link, helps a great deal, no ih dealer in area just orderd from clay, he is about 2 hours north of me, s thaks to al. will up date next weekend

 

Glad to hear it. Let us know how it goes for you

 

Just rebuilt mine today and I suggest that when you go to fire it up after installing it DON'T put antifreeze back in until after you check for leaks. I don't know why but the front mount leaked. Had to re-drain the antifreeze pulled the 2 bolts on the front mount checked the gasket all looked fine, cleaned the gasket added Permatex form-a-gasket, re-installed and this time no leaks. I have no idea what was up. Then I replaced the antifreeze.
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Is this a common leak area for 7.3s?

 

I have seen several of these cause problems . I have even replaced a few of the coolers because of rust . As stated above , paint it good while out! Replace both o rings and gaskets . Good luck ! Last one I did had to be replaced because of rust .

 

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this?

 

This is a common leak issue on the 7.3's, but think about it... the leaks typically don't begin (from the reports I've read) until well past 150K miles, and our 7.3's are hitting 10-plus years in age.

You essentially have three options to avoid the problem of a leaking oil cooler...
1) stop driving your truck, or
2) choose to change the o-rings and gaskets proactively before the leaking begins, or
3) sell your truck before the leak ever shows up.

There is no way around the fact that the elastomers in the o-rings and gaskets are going to eventually leak and need replacement after repeated heat up and cool downs over the years, just like the o-rings on the fuel bowl, the HPOP hoses, HPOP o-rings, etc.

The repairs are not really very expensive, are not too difficult, but are messy when you do them.

 

The next morning on mine there were no signs of leaks until I started it, then it started leaking at the front gasket (not o-rings), again. Anybody have this issue?