Hello to all my new best friends. After a long decision making process, I decided on a 2000 Ford Excursion Limited 7.3 to haul my family around. The mini van has been good do us, but it ain't gonna pull no trailer. Picked up one from Halifax (East coast of Canada) and had it shipped out to me in British Columbia (West coast). Found a lower mileage one (239,000 km or 148,000 miles). Picked it up from the shipping yard yesterday and brought her home last night. Pretty stock, which is fine by me. No immediate plans to make a lot of mods to it, but I'm sure if I spend enough time in this forum, I'll catch the bug... Had a little freak-out session as I looked over some of the things that need attention, because I've never owned a real truck before, and never a diesel. Am I really up to this? I've been calming my nerves by reading over the forums, stickies, and tech pages here as there is a wealth of knowledge here, which will be helpful as I start trying to diagnose and fix things. I'm by no means a natural mechanic. So thanks in advance to all my new best friends!!

Issues I've noticed so far:
1) Power steering fluid cooler has been bypassed. Can anyone think of a reason to do this (besides a leaking cooler you didn't want to change)?

2) Steering wheel slop. I've read the tech section on steering box adjustments and plan to work on that tomorrow. Sounds like an easier fix than tie rods so I'll start there.

3) Rear heat not working (haven't looked too deep into that yet). Also, yesterday when I was driving it home, couldn't get it that warm inside. Got home and it was evident that the AC had been running for a while. I turned the heat to AC, and got warm air, so it was reversed somehow. I tried it again today but the front seemed to work ok. Not sure, but will need some more investigating.

4) Parking brake needs adjusting (hopefully not replacing). I need that to pass out of province inspection.

5) Until engine gets up to working temperature, I'm getting an intermittent hissing noise by the turbo, associated with a drop in RPM and a decrease in exhaust as heard/felt at tailpipe. I'm also seeing the arm underneath the turbo moving. From my reading here, it sounds like the EBPV arm. I'm still trying to figure out it its a big deal or not. Any ongoing damage caused by just living with it for the time being?

6) Check engine light came on with code P1670. My reading tells me it's a communication error between the IDM and the PCM. I'm still trying to figure out the significance/seriousness of this. Could it be related to 5 above?

7) Turn signals were stopping when brake was applied yesterday. Tried it in the driveway today and they sped up really fast, but didn't stop. From what I gather, I should be checking for shorts in the wiring/bulb socket and looking at the flashers. Will need this for inspection.

A few other minor things but this is now my to do list. I'm hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew, but I sure am appreciating for all the info and helpful people on here. I'll be around here a fair bit, I think. So excuse my basic questions as I'm learning, and thanks!!

As an aside, I had the vehicle shipped here via rail. I was told when I went to go pick it up, that it had a "rough shunt" somewhere along the journey. It caused the X to slide forward in the boxcar and hit the 4 smart cars sitting in front of it. They were all written off. There is a slight bend in the bumper, only noticeable if you're looking for it. Might get a few $$ in insurance money hopefully, that I can sink back into the beast. While I was irked that it happened, I got a chuckle out of hearing what happened to those poor little smart cars. RIP little guys. Sorry for my long post...

 

Long post is more than acceptable, the addition of a picture is wonderful and the slaughter of 3 "Smart" cars without even having a driver makes you one of us right from the start Welcome to the forum and to the Excursion family! Love the color combo (Was the color combo on my first so I'm partial) and it looks great. Throw up a few more pics and add your location to your profile and then sit back and wait for all the congratulations

 

Welcome to the EX family!
There are some truly awesome 7.3 brainiacs here that should be able to help calm your newbie nerves and help you sort out any of the motor issues, you can also browse through the 7.3 forum here at FTE for even more info and help.
Be very careful with the rear hatch glass and the hatch/rear door configuration that is shown in the pic above, the barn doors can shatter the hatch glass if swung toward closed with the hatch closed like that.

1 ) Sounds like a leaky cooler and a lazy owner/mechanic to me.

2 ) Like it says in the Tech Folder, go easy on the steering box adjustments, 1/4 turn at a time and then test drive it.

 

Same color combo as mine, though I removed the cladding on mine.

Those rail journeys can be rough. The poor Excursion didn't have anything to eat for the trip, so it made due with what it had...

 

On a recent road trip I was discussion the weight differential of the Ex vs other vehicles with my 16yo daughter trying to get her to visualize how mass and speed play a role in who dies and who lives in a crash. I am going to share your smart car story with her because I am pretty sure all she heard was.... Dads going to buy me a Big car .... Lmao

Edit... Welcome to the affliction.

Sounds like you have a decent handle on your issues so I'll just add.

On the sloppy steering, Don't just fix one worn item or the endeavor becomes a chasing your tail scenario that is harder to resolve. Inspect all the moving parts starting at the ball joints and work your way to the steering wheel r@r as needed.

 

Welcome to FTE and the awesome Excursion club.

Lucky for you they threw those 'packing peanuts' in to prevent damage to the box car!!

 

I was thinking about that rear hatch/barn door setup and the potential for that. Good to know for sure. The gas shocks that hold it up are either worn out or too small as it won't stay up (insert Viagra joke here.) the shocks look newer than rest of truck, so I'm thinking someone underestimated the size needed. Will fix asap.

Thanks for the welcome all!

 

Yes, a good physics lesson to be had there. I remember a media review on the X talking about crash ratings and referring to "anything unfortunate enough to cross the Excursion's path..."

Good advice. Looking like it wasn't maintained quite as well as I had thought, so it probably won't be a one-fix-wonder. Thanks!!

 

Thanks for the tip on the rear glass. I wondered about the potential for that as I was opening it for the first time. Right now, the gas shocks holding up the glass are either worn out or were replaced with small ones. They look newer than the rest of the truck, so someone probably just stuck whatever they had lying around on there. Will install proper ones ASAP.

 

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