Getting ready to do a 10,000 mile trip so sent the Ex into Ford to have a once over done on it. Had them check fuel pressure, codes, replacing A/C comp and some seals, and doing a compression test (replacing glow plugs while in there if necessary.






So my questions are as follows:


They wanted $650 got them down to $450 for the OEM fuel pump...fuel pressure was at 23-25 psi. Is there a big difference between the Bosch pump Riffraff sells and OEM?


Also, I am going to have a compression test done just for warm fuzzies...is this a waste of time? Was going to them look at glow plugs and injector cups and seals while in there.


There was code for the EBV valve also so just having them change it out as well. Most modes are in my SIG, thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

I could be wrong but I think OEM is Bosch...been awhile since I replaced one. As far as compression test...is there something wrong with the truck? Did it start acting up? Hard to start? I think if you want to do it its entirely up to you, but if everything is running correctly it will probably not net you anything. How many miles on your truck?

 

I just replaced my fuel pump with the Bosch from Riff Raff. I just did it last Sunday. The pump Riff Raff sells is 100% identical to the pump I removed. I pulled my pump due to fuel pressure being all over the place. One day it dropped to 0lbs so that was that. It was intermittent but didn't want to get stuck. It is really easy to do yourself and I highly recommend the Riff Raff one. I have a fuel pressure gauge so that is how I knew it has having issues. Good luck!

 

fwiw, rockauto.com has the Bosch pump for $77 and the whole motorcraft assembly for $350

if you are the DIY type or at least somewhat handy with tools you can swap in just the pump into your existing housing.

 

Its has 215,000 on it, really no reason for the compression test other then for my own curiosity. I have been battling coolant leaks since I had it which makes me wonder if a head gasket could be over pressurizing the coolant system. I know head gasket issues are rare on the 7.3 but there is always that 1 time. I have done all the work on the truck with the exception of this trip to ford. It all started with the A/C work they are doing so in my mind decided to let them handle the work. I am so bad at allowing others to work on my rig that I interviewed the diesel guys and choose the one I wanted to work on it. I have issues like that, its hard to find techs that care for a vehicle like it was there mothers care, or there first born driving it. Honestly I am just burnt out on working with cars right now. I have spent more time replacing O'riley and Autozone parts than care to talk about. Should have just got the good stuff to start with. I am on my 3rd water pump now from them, this time just ordering from Riffraff. Will look up what the entire fuel pump assembly is vs just the pump, wonder what that all in tells for the extra money? It starts and runs fine, other then I feel it could have a little more power with the tuner. Gas mileage as gone down a bit to.

 

Starting a 10k mile trip plus unknown coolant loss? I would do a compression check. I would also suggest an oil analysis and get the injectors tested.

 

Its not unknown coolant loss, it has a small leak at the water pump that was replaced. Really have not lost much coolant, very small leak. I may call them Monday first thing and just have them due the buzz test if they have not done it already and a compression crank test to see if there are any lopes in it while it cranks. If not may just forget about the compression test.

 

That changes things. In this case I would just do a quick blow-by test and if you don't see any problems then a compression test isn't critical.

 

Some very sound advice given so far, but one thing I need to point out...

You say you're on your third waterpump?

What color is your coolant?

If they keep refilling your truck with green coolant, you're going to have water pump problems.

Green coolant has silicate drop out and can't properly handle the heat these trucks put out. The silicates eat the seals on the water pump and you end up having to replace it more often than you like.

If you use Ford's Premium Gold, it's better designed the handle the heat of a 7.3 and doesn't eat the water pump. The best option is of course to go with an ELC.

 

I choose to have them not do the compression test, it has very little blow by. Even Ford guy said it was not much at all. I did have them drop the tank instead since they replaced the fuel pump. Glad I did, the pick up foot was floating around in the tank. Also a question for the masses, will adding 2 cycle leave a hair like film in the tank. Tech called concerned that the fuel tank was full of what looked like dog hair, filter screens were plugged also. Which prompted the question to the tech, so was the fuel pump really bad if the screens were plugged? lol Fuel pressure was at 22 psi. Didn't really get a clear response. I am assuming he didn't check the suction side of the pump before replacing it.


I changed the water pumps, not ford. They were all done properly and torqued to spec, the pumps are from Autozone. After asking how many returns they had in the last 6 months for that pump answered my question as to why it keeps leaking. Just that store had 22 returns. Even the sales manager indicated it was common for that pump to leak prematurely. As for antifreeze I do not use Green, I run the red Zerex Diesel HD coolant. Will be ordering the next one from Riffraf in the next day or so.

 

The internal lining separating and delaminating from the inside of diesel tanks has been a known problem for 15 years. If your tech won't say it he is hiding it or unaware of it. I'm not sure if this is the same issue you are having, but I have pulled numerous tanks that looked just like the below link. It has made it as far as the fuel bowl as well and settles at the base of the bowl. Replacing the tank is usually the only way to get rid of it after cleaning as it will just continue.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...fuel-tank.html

Order your pump from Riffraff, its the same thing without the harness that FORD marks up 350$ Put it in the back trunk with a set of fuel line clips in case you ever need to do a roadside swap. Takes all of 10 minutes.

If it was severely blocked with debris, this was probably your restriction. Clean the pre pump filters and bowl filter and replace the crowfoot and reinstall. Test pressure again. If its still low then, its the pump as well, that toasted straining itself to suck diesel. The stock pump does not like to suck fuel, rather than push like they were sized and designed for. Hope it gets resolved!

Regarding the coolant. I have ran typical cheap green prestone for 300k miles with a coolant filter and proper addative package already included in coolants like FleetCharge. You can order wix filters pre charged addative from fleet filter as well. I have been through one pump. OE replacement was used. 95% of the 7.3 that come through here do the same. If you do not have one go get a coolant filter for your truck asap. They safe pumps from cavitated casting particles, and keep coolant looking like new. This is my favorite I have found out of all of them out there:http://sinisterdiesel.com/i-15883430...FdNahgodwxEAtg

We ran these on a fleet of (6) 7.3 for years as well. in 9 years only one truck lost a pump...

 

They all ready replaced the fuel pump assembly, the tech was not there so didn't get to see what he pulled out of the tank. Will get to see it tomorrow though. I went to pick it up a bit ago and the tech didn't put the serpentine belt on correctly and it was shredded, know what it was right after I started it. Of course all the service guys were gone so now I have to go back. At least I am getting a new belt out of it. Makes question the reset of the work now if the tech couldn't get the belt on correctly. He even test drove it, so sad.

 

No offense but if the a$$ clown can't put a belt on properly I'd be walking away from that shop for good, especially if he couldn't even tell on the test drive. This is a tech?

Hope nothing happens down the road related to anything he touched. They should have tested pressure post pump install and filter cleaning and should have the results...

 

Yup...he is a FORD tech with 17 years on the job. Same guy that didn't know what the Hutch or Harpoon mod was on the fuel tank. My understanding is that is pretty common knowledge now for guys that actively work on 7.3's, maybe wrong though.

 

Well best of luck with him!