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I went to check out a '03 7.3 SD the other day. It didn't seem to have a lot of surge when I accelerated to freeway speeds. Kind of lazy feeling. Didn't smoke out the back though. It did have a front end clunking sound going over the parking lot speed bumps. I opened the oil fill cap while it was idling and it blew a plume of vapor/oil about 9' high like a steam engine puffing. Held my hand over it and got a oil wet palm after just a few seconds. I'm hesitant to drop any $$ on it. advise?? thanks
When you say puffing, do you mean visual smoke like a chimney or pressure that you can feel? Flip the oil cap upside down with the engine at idle and see what it does.
If it vibrates and slides off the fill tube, I wouldn't worry about the amount of smoke. My truck will smoke different amounts depending on oil temp, outside temp, oil type, miles on oil, etc. The oils smell different too. It's acted that way for the last half million miles or so.
If the oil cap shoots up into the air and there's pressure behind the smoke, then don't sink anything into it. Time to look at a rebuild or used engine.
The clunking sound is probably the front sway bar end links. Get under it and check the bushings on them, they are probably worn to the point of failure. That is an easy fix, the blow by is your biggest concern at this point.
When you say puffing, do you mean visual smoke like a chimney or pressure that you can feel? Flip the oil cap upside down with the engine at idle and see what it does.
If it vibrates and slides off the fill tube, I wouldn't worry about the amount of smoke. My truck will smoke different amounts depending on oil temp, outside temp, oil type, miles on oil, etc. The oils smell different too. It's acted that way for the last half million miles or so.
If the oil cap shoots up into the air and there's pressure behind the smoke, then don't sink anything into it. Time to look at a rebuild or used engine.
You can visually see a plume come out of the fill tube. Considerable pressure. There's no way the cap would sit on the upside down....liftoff!
There is no way the cap "would", says that you havent tried it yet. Not saying this is the case, but often regarding this issue looks can be deceiving. Ive got 322k, and i can visually see a plume coming from my fill tube, but when i turn the cap over, it just sits there. Only way to know for sure is to do it, dont assume..... just my two cents... but since its not yours and anticipating the purchase, depending on distance from you, i guess use your best judgement and gut feelings though...
This can actually be a good thing. Offer one or two thousand for the truck, then have a fresh engine you like put in. This way, you know what you're getting into from day one.