Introduction and a question
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
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Introduction and a question
I WILL be buying a 7.3 in the near future and have found myself addicted to this forum for several months. I, being admittedly ignorant to the ways of diesel engines, wanted to thank all those here who are so clearly willing to share their hard earned knowledge, as I have gained some confidence that I won't get taken advantage of when I go to buy my truck. That being said, I am still very leary of buying someone else's headache. So my question is, is it worth buying the AE before shopping and, if so, what functions will best help me to make a go/no go buying choice?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 320
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From: Kansas City, MO
Dang. That's a good question. Having AE before buying, would seem to be quite beneficial. Being able to conduct a buzz test or cylinder contribution could mean the difference between buying a truck that needs a fair amount of money thrown at it, or just a little.
That being said, I have to wonder how many dealers or private sellers would be willing to let you hook up your laptop to their trucks. Some might be suspicious that after you hook up and start talking about faults that you didn't maliciously load those faults just to get a lower purchase price.
All in all, I can't see having AE, or access to it, during your shopping would be a bad idea. It would just all come down to those sellers letting you use it.
Top two tests I would run would be the injector buzz test and the cylinder contribution test.
That being said, I have to wonder how many dealers or private sellers would be willing to let you hook up your laptop to their trucks. Some might be suspicious that after you hook up and start talking about faults that you didn't maliciously load those faults just to get a lower purchase price.
All in all, I can't see having AE, or access to it, during your shopping would be a bad idea. It would just all come down to those sellers letting you use it.
Top two tests I would run would be the injector buzz test and the cylinder contribution test.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 9
From: Wellington, Co
Dang. That's a good question. Having AE before buying, would seem to be quite beneficial. Being able to conduct a buzz test or cylinder contribution could mean the difference between buying a truck that needs a fair amount of money thrown at it, or just a little.
That being said, I have to wonder how many dealers or private sellers would be willing to let you hook up your laptop to their trucks. Some might be suspicious that after you hook up and start talking about faults that you didn't maliciously load those faults just to get a lower purchase price.
All in all, I can't see having AE, or access to it, during your shopping would be a bad idea. It would just all come down to those sellers letting you use it.
Top two tests I would run would be the injector buzz test and the cylinder contribution test.
That being said, I have to wonder how many dealers or private sellers would be willing to let you hook up your laptop to their trucks. Some might be suspicious that after you hook up and start talking about faults that you didn't maliciously load those faults just to get a lower purchase price.
All in all, I can't see having AE, or access to it, during your shopping would be a bad idea. It would just all come down to those sellers letting you use it.
Top two tests I would run would be the injector buzz test and the cylinder contribution test.
Otherwise study some of the common issues, what to look for and good luck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 27
From: Mesa AZ
I used my AE when I purchased my last two trucks. The sellers didn't have any objections. On one occasion there was a truck where ton of codes came up.....almost as if every sensor was unplugged at once. When I queried the seller, he admitted to swapping the engine recently....so I passed on that truck.
I think I ran a buzz test, KOEO and KOER tests. I would then look at IPR DC while under load (during the test drive) and then finally a contribution test after the engine was up to operating temp.
If you are certain you are going to buy a Ford then getting AE is a pretty good investment that can pay for itself the very first time you use it. However, there is a bit of a learning curve....do you have a buddy with a 7.3 that you can connect to for a few times until you get more comfortable with the software?
I think I ran a buzz test, KOEO and KOER tests. I would then look at IPR DC while under load (during the test drive) and then finally a contribution test after the engine was up to operating temp.
If you are certain you are going to buy a Ford then getting AE is a pretty good investment that can pay for itself the very first time you use it. However, there is a bit of a learning curve....do you have a buddy with a 7.3 that you can connect to for a few times until you get more comfortable with the software?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
That was my feeling when I bought AE years ago...and it did pay for itself the first time I used it. Allowed me to fix my truck and haul a load for $. Took me about 5 minutes to diagnose uvch and 50 cents to repair.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
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Thanks guys for the quick responses. I am sure that I am buying a Ford and I do have a buddy with a 2001 F250, so I can learn on it. I was thinking the investment in the AE might actually SAVE me money by preventing a mistake. Thanks again for the input.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,251
Likes: 7,679
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
I have run AE on several powerstrokes I have bought and on my sisters 7.3 excursion, none of the sellers complained. I drive them and data log them before I have bought them.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 2
From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
I think THE BEST thing you could do, is post your location in the thread (it won't show up in your signature until you hit 25 posts...so you COULD go to the "learning" threads and post a bunch of gibberish posts). Then, ask and beg for one of the The Brotherhood near you to help you on a truck or two that you've already looked at. Someone knowledgeable who can look it over with an experienced eye, and maybe who also has AE. I'm sure a shared meal together or half-dozen of tasty beverage would all that would be asked for in return.
There's LOTS of great people here, and plenty willing to help. I'm constantly blown-away by the people here...for instance, had a get-together in January and a Brother from Florida (JeffreyT) was there looking for me!!! He'd never met me, but Smokiesman (from North Carolina and Florida) and I met "on the road" last summer and Smokie said "You gotta meet Tailgate77478." It renews your faith in humanity, and I promise, if you make a small effort to meet the FTE guys, you'll make great friends.
WELCOME!
There's LOTS of great people here, and plenty willing to help. I'm constantly blown-away by the people here...for instance, had a get-together in January and a Brother from Florida (JeffreyT) was there looking for me!!! He'd never met me, but Smokiesman (from North Carolina and Florida) and I met "on the road" last summer and Smokie said "You gotta meet Tailgate77478." It renews your faith in humanity, and I promise, if you make a small effort to meet the FTE guys, you'll make great friends.
WELCOME!
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
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Tailgate,
Thanks so much for the welcome. I'm in central Florida myself. Been looking locally for trucks, but the market is small and highly priced for 7.3s. The reason I asked about the AE is I am about ready to go out of state if necessary to find a truck at a fair price and would hate to be stuck somewhere between here and Texas.....
As for dinner and/or adult beverages, I'm always ready.
Thanks so much for the welcome. I'm in central Florida myself. Been looking locally for trucks, but the market is small and highly priced for 7.3s. The reason I asked about the AE is I am about ready to go out of state if necessary to find a truck at a fair price and would hate to be stuck somewhere between here and Texas.....
As for dinner and/or adult beverages, I'm always ready.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 8
From: North Georgia
Tailgate,
Thanks so much for the welcome. I'm in central Florida myself. Been looking locally for trucks, but the market is small and highly priced for 7.3s. The reason I asked about the AE is I am about ready to go out of state if necessary to find a truck at a fair price and would hate to be stuck somewhere between here and Texas.....
As for dinner and/or adult beverages, I'm always ready.
Thanks so much for the welcome. I'm in central Florida myself. Been looking locally for trucks, but the market is small and highly priced for 7.3s. The reason I asked about the AE is I am about ready to go out of state if necessary to find a truck at a fair price and would hate to be stuck somewhere between here and Texas.....
As for dinner and/or adult beverages, I'm always ready.
JeffreyT autta be chimin in soon... he's over that way and die hard addicted to these trucks and the Brotherhood...
Welcome dub!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 2
From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
Yep, JeffreyT, possibly Smokiesman (if he hasn't gone back up to the Smokies for the summer), and maybe even Franko72 depending on where he is working. Put a quick city location in, and I will forward this thread to all of those guys to see if they're anywhere close.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 9
From: Longview, TX
Thanks for sending me that PM Tailgate 
Dub, I'm in Panama City and would be more than willing to help if you're looking at one between Tallahassee and Crestview, and if its farther west than Crestview I might be willing to jump in with you and ride along. That said, I don't have AE yet, which would be nice, but I feel fairly confident when looking at these "blind". Don't pay attention to the fact that I bought one with bad injector cups, I've learned the difference between fuel in water and oil in water since then lol.
I'm actually driving over to Live Oak in the morning for Springfest, so ill be closer. if you post up your exact location, we can try to pinpoint someone close. I know you can't PM yet, but shoot me an email at Jeffrey.tyson@ymail.com and I'll send you my number.
Good luck!
Dub, I'm in Panama City and would be more than willing to help if you're looking at one between Tallahassee and Crestview, and if its farther west than Crestview I might be willing to jump in with you and ride along. That said, I don't have AE yet, which would be nice, but I feel fairly confident when looking at these "blind". Don't pay attention to the fact that I bought one with bad injector cups, I've learned the difference between fuel in water and oil in water since then lol.
I'm actually driving over to Live Oak in the morning for Springfest, so ill be closer. if you post up your exact location, we can try to pinpoint someone close. I know you can't PM yet, but shoot me an email at Jeffrey.tyson@ymail.com and I'll send you my number.
Good luck!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Bryson City NC
Hey BigDub welcome aboard son!!
Ya I am still in Fl for 11 more days before I hook up the dually and fly the coop!! Man ya wanna get hooked up with JeffT ! He can be a great help to ya as he has just been down that road. Ya got a great bunch of guys here that will go out of there way to help you with any questions on buyin a 7.3 ! This is truly a brotherhood.
Hey Tailgate nice hearing from ya !!
Smokie
Ya I am still in Fl for 11 more days before I hook up the dually and fly the coop!! Man ya wanna get hooked up with JeffT ! He can be a great help to ya as he has just been down that road. Ya got a great bunch of guys here that will go out of there way to help you with any questions on buyin a 7.3 ! This is truly a brotherhood.Hey Tailgate nice hearing from ya !!
Smokie
Trying to Gain Knowledge
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: Ezzell, TX
Big Dub, welcome to the forum. Look forward to helping you sort out whatever vehicle you purchase. Jeff is a top notch guy. He has a lot of knowledge earned first hand. Don't hesitate to lean on him or any of the rest of us when you need a hand.