Purchasing a 2001 7.3 that has some issues, need help
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Purchasing a 2001 7.3 that has some issues, need help
I am considering purchasing a 2001 f250 7.3l PSD. My concern is that in 2002 the truck was involved in a fire, there was no real body damage besides some clear coat peeling. My concern is that the owner had to replace a good portion of the engine due to wiring. He has continued to use the truck since then and the engine only has 88,000 miles with 93,000 on the body. The only issues he's had is occasional difficulty with cold start if he doesn't plug it in overnight during the winter in Ks. What are some possible issues I could be looking at here as I am trying to decide if it is worth the risk for such a low mile engine in a truck that is in rather good condition. Thank you.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Southern Colorado
My concern is that the owner had to replace a good portion of the engine due to wiring.
This isn't clear - did he replace engine parts or wiring? If it starts and runs well most of the time, cold starting is almost a separate issue that has to do (often) with glow plugs, the GPR, and dino oil (vs. synthetic).
Unless you get a good feeling about the work done on the truck, I'd cast a wary eye on the repairs. You might want a shop to look it over, if you feel uncomfortable about possible wiring issues.If this guy has driven it since 2002 without issue, besides plugging it in on a cold night (a good idea anyway), then I wouldn't worry too much. Ask him exactly what he has done (if anything) to address the cold start issue.
This isn't clear - did he replace engine parts or wiring? If it starts and runs well most of the time, cold starting is almost a separate issue that has to do (often) with glow plugs, the GPR, and dino oil (vs. synthetic).
Unless you get a good feeling about the work done on the truck, I'd cast a wary eye on the repairs. You might want a shop to look it over, if you feel uncomfortable about possible wiring issues.If this guy has driven it since 2002 without issue, besides plugging it in on a cold night (a good idea anyway), then I wouldn't worry too much. Ask him exactly what he has done (if anything) to address the cold start issue.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Carrollton, Ga
That is really low miles to be having glow plugs go bad but anything is possible. The glow plug relay is another possible culprit. It will cause the glow plugs to not work at all and it is an easy fix. Even it it needed new glow plugs they are not hard to replace. If you have an opportunity to check the relay you should be getting 12V across the two large post when the key is off and 0V when you first turn the key on for about 2 min. There are two relays on the top left center of the engine. One is for the air intake heater and it will be screwed into the intake plumbing. The other is for the glow plugs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
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Records... Records... Records...
Are their receipts?
I have receipts for everything ever done to any vehicle I've owned since 1973.
I also have a XLS Spreadsheet for each since MSO came out in 1998 showing all maintenance down to rotating tires, replacing anything, who did the work, what part and number was used, etc.. I give them to the buyer when I sell it.
Otherwise, you're just throwing a Dart and hoping for a Bull's-eye.
I have receipts for everything ever done to any vehicle I've owned since 1973.
I also have a XLS Spreadsheet for each since MSO came out in 1998 showing all maintenance down to rotating tires, replacing anything, who did the work, what part and number was used, etc.. I give them to the buyer when I sell it.
Otherwise, you're just throwing a Dart and hoping for a Bull's-eye.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Elk Grove, CA
I am considering purchasing a 2001 f250 7.3l PSD. My concern is that in 2002 the truck was involved in a fire, there was no real body damage besides some clear coat peeling. My concern is that the owner had to replace a good portion of the engine due to wiring. He has continued to use the truck since then and the engine only has 88,000 miles with 93,000 on the body. The only issues he's had is occasional difficulty with cold start if he doesn't plug it in overnight during the winter in Ks. What are some possible issues I could be looking at here as I am trying to decide if it is worth the risk for such a low mile engine in a truck that is in rather good condition. Thank you.
Is there a reasonable story for why the engine has 88k and the body 93K?
That said, I gather the current owner put all the miles on it. I don't know anybody who keeps a lemon for 12 years, so I'll guess he did not have much trouble with it. As said before the cold start issue is not really an issue, it can likely be fixed cheaply and with relative ease. If the body, interior and test drive pass muster I would be delighted to use the fire to keep the price down on it and drive home happy. Once fixed these things last a long time.
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The engine from my understanding was fully replaced, which is the cause for 88 and 93. His neighbor is a mechanic so he worked on it at his shop, couldn't figure out the wiring and thus dropped a new engine into it. I am still getting details piecemeal from the owner as our work schedules collide. My exact thought is that if the damage is minimal, to include any future repairs, then this vehicle is a steal. I am not currently in country to go check it out so I'm trying to supplement his story with research on my own. I appreciate the help so far.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Mcdonough, GA
How many miles on it since the fire in -----2002------. Unless it's just been sitting seems like it's a non issue. Look at the truck as a whole, a 15 yr old truck, Make sure it's sound and move forward. Now if he hasn't hardly driven it since then that's another thing.
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From: Huntington WV
Is the GP light coming on? Take a test light to the GP relay with the ignition in the on position and see if BOTH large terminals light up. If only one does ask the owner if you can take a 8ga wire and jump the large GP terminals for 20 seconds. If the truck starts you have a bad GP relay. First thing I would do.
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These are all things I will try when I get home, I am currently out of the country and am trying to settle some of the issues in my mind before I take the time to go out to see the truck when I get home. The truck has been driven 88,000 miles since the fire, he lives near his work so it's just a 2-5 mile commute a day type vehicle for him.
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