The sitting 7.3
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The sitting 7.3
I came across the opportunity to pick up an 89 pickup 7.3 5 speed, 4x4 for cheap. The catch, it's been sitting for 10+ years. The guys says the frame actually won't need work, and I trust him as I've known him for a while, and I'm prepared to do the body work to take care of the rust. I know the drill for bringing an old gasoline engine back to life, but I've never done diesel. The obvious would be the fluids and filters, and I actually just got done reading a document about cavitation, thank god for the sticky threads. He parked the truck for no reason other than it was a company truck that wasn't being used, they updated their fleet.
I've done some reading and have been talking to a few gear heads that I know, but I decided I should ask the experts with first hand experience before I get myself in to deep. What should I be prepared to find? What should be replaced before I even attempt a first start? Please, feel free to assume I know nothing, I really don't want to overlook anything.
Thanks in advance.
I've done some reading and have been talking to a few gear heads that I know, but I decided I should ask the experts with first hand experience before I get myself in to deep. What should I be prepared to find? What should be replaced before I even attempt a first start? Please, feel free to assume I know nothing, I really don't want to overlook anything.
Thanks in advance.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
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From: Paullina IA
Does the engine turn over? I would expect to replace the fuel pump and injectors, but would try to start it with the current ones before replacing them.
I'm always leary about the cooling system in any vehicle that's sat. Seams like cooling systems rot out quit from no use. May end up getting into all sorts of gaskets and stuff.
Change fluids. Maybe pour some fluid down the glow plug holes and then turn the engine over by hand with the glow plugs out? Not sure exactly why I would do that, but would hate to crank it with the starter if the cylinders are bone dry.
Fuel system Drain tanks. Replace fuel filter put some ATF or Fuel treatment in there If you get it started run it for like 30 seconds and then let it set. ATF / Fuel treatment will help the injection pump.
Clean up any questionable battery cables. Positives and negatives. I've had good luck priming fuel systems with the starter, but it can be hard on the starter.
Good luck!
I'm always leary about the cooling system in any vehicle that's sat. Seams like cooling systems rot out quit from no use. May end up getting into all sorts of gaskets and stuff.
Change fluids. Maybe pour some fluid down the glow plug holes and then turn the engine over by hand with the glow plugs out? Not sure exactly why I would do that, but would hate to crank it with the starter if the cylinders are bone dry.
Fuel system Drain tanks. Replace fuel filter put some ATF or Fuel treatment in there If you get it started run it for like 30 seconds and then let it set. ATF / Fuel treatment will help the injection pump.
Clean up any questionable battery cables. Positives and negatives. I've had good luck priming fuel systems with the starter, but it can be hard on the starter.
Good luck!
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i would go there with a gallon of diesel a filter wrench and 2 batteries.
check the dipstick to see there is oil in it. if the oil level is good, remove the fuel filter and fill it up. put the filter back on. put the batteries in and see if it starts.
you may have to fill the filter more than once.
once it starts, you will know whether you want to go farther with it.
starting a truck on 10 year old diesel fuel is not a big deal unless it has algae growing in it.
and i would not be too concerned with that. i have only seen it once, but that fuel was sitting over 25 years.
check the dipstick to see there is oil in it. if the oil level is good, remove the fuel filter and fill it up. put the filter back on. put the batteries in and see if it starts.
you may have to fill the filter more than once.
once it starts, you will know whether you want to go farther with it.
starting a truck on 10 year old diesel fuel is not a big deal unless it has algae growing in it.
and i would not be too concerned with that. i have only seen it once, but that fuel was sitting over 25 years.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,940
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Im with TJC.. shouldnt be much to worry about really other than batteries and fuel. Fill the filter, crack some lines and crank it over. Id take some ether in case the GPs arent up to snuff. Check for gnawed wires and mice nests in the intake / air filter. Also make sure the exhaust isnt plugged up. Depends on the area but around here if something doesnt move for 3 months its full of mice and pack rats.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,709
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From: 8600 ft in Colo
Look at the top of the air cleaner for signs of standing water. If the hood seal leaks, it can leak rain water onto the air cleaner, and then it gets into the intake and can fill a cylinder. Sounds silly, but several people have reported hydrolocked engines because of this... If you find evidence of water, pull the glow plugs before you turn it over.
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I will definitely post some pics when I get a chance. The truck is on a farm right now, so there are more than likely rodents. I don't know when the next time I will be seeing it is, but I will try to get pics of everything. As far as getting it started, I wont worry about that until it warms up, I'll just deal with the body for now. I don't like using ether. I will make sure it turns over by hand, just to make sure it isn't locked up. I will probably use this as a build/progress thread if/when I get the truck.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Before wasting money on any fluid, see if it runs first. Drain the tanks and fuel system, replace the old fuel with new fuel, and see it it'll turn over and start, if it does, then go further to replacing fluids.
A few years ago I got a 1976 Chrysler New Yorker going after sitting in a driveway for 18 years, I fired it up, and drove it 10+miles to a new location on the oil that was in there. Just make sure everything is topped up and see if it runs and moves first.
A few years ago I got a 1976 Chrysler New Yorker going after sitting in a driveway for 18 years, I fired it up, and drove it 10+miles to a new location on the oil that was in there. Just make sure everything is topped up and see if it runs and moves first.
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Would bump starting it be an effective method in the cold if the glow plugs don't work (Assuming nothing is seized between the wheels and crank)? Seeing if it runs before spending money makes way more sense. So I probably wouldn't even want to invest in a pair of batteries. What about jumping it with cables, would that make more sense?
An aside; IDIDieselJohn, have I seen a video or two of yours on youtube?
An aside; IDIDieselJohn, have I seen a video or two of yours on youtube?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
you could pull start it, but if it is cold with no glow plugs it may take a while to start.
and you would still need at least one good battery in it to supply power to open the fuel shut off valve in the injector pump.
and no, jumping it with 10 year old dead batteries in there will not do anything for you.
and you would still need at least one good battery in it to supply power to open the fuel shut off valve in the injector pump.
and no, jumping it with 10 year old dead batteries in there will not do anything for you.
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Jumping it, i would bypass the batteries and rev the **** out of the engine supplying the current. Not trying to charge the trucks batteries, but have an external source. Once its running, if the altermnator is still good, it should keep things in order.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,065
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From: western washington
take the ground off the drivers side batt, put a good batt on pass side, hook it up and see if the gp controller works, roll engine over two times, backwards, to insure not hydro locked, then drag the truck down the road, and pull start it, if the clutch works. if you have had it plugged in over night with the block heater and its 40 or 50 outside it should start with out much trouble. unless there are other problems. it will run on old fuel, these engine's will run on 50/50 moter oil/diesel mix no problem, you are better off driving it around some on both tanks to let all the junk in the tank get sucked in to the old filter then change it, they are spendy
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This seems like it could work for me, assuming it can be any battery that works and I don't have to purchase a new one (Although I suppose i could get a walmart one and return it if things don't work out). 40-50F won't happen here consistently until April if I'm lucky. And yeah, like I said before, I'm going to make sure i can turn it by hand first. Also, I plan on draining the tank, and possibly replacing the lines before i change the filter.
I used to work with a guy who's son had a 6.9idi. He said it ran on 40% diesel, 30% oil, and 30% ATF.
I used to work with a guy who's son had a 6.9idi. He said it ran on 40% diesel, 30% oil, and 30% ATF.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
take the ground off the drivers side batt, put a good batt on pass side, hook it up and see if the gp controller works, roll engine over two times, backwards, to insure not hydro locked, then drag the truck down the road, and pull start it, if the clutch works. if you have had it plugged in over night with the block heater and its 40 or 50 outside it should start with out much trouble. unless there are other problems. it will run on old fuel, these engine's will run on 50/50 moter oil/diesel mix no problem, you are better off driving it around some on both tanks to let all the junk in the tank get sucked in to the old filter then change it, they are spendy
this is the best way to do it after filling the fuel filter with fresh diesel. ands it does not have to have a big old diesel battery in it, because you are not going to be using the starter. any 12 volt battery will do because all you need is a power source to open the fuel shut off switch.
we used a battery out of a honda civic on the old shop truck at the body shop to bump start it down the hill to load it on the trailer for its "last ride"
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
