Hello all. I have a 2001 excursion 7.3 w/about 370k on it. The glow plugs need to be replaced before winter and I can't see paying the dealership 1600 to do a job that's only 100 or so in parts. Is there anything else I should look at while I'm doing the plugs?

I'm planning on replacing the hpop seals, adding a coolant filter kit, changing the gp module and a air filter kit. This is my first diesel so I appreciate any advice. I'm buying from riffraff if that makes a difference

 

The glow plug change is pretty straight forward.

What HPOP seals are you replacing? And why?

 

I'm just ordering the kit from riffraff. I've noticed an oil leak from that area that seems to be getting worse.

the other day my truck started to run a little rough and I noticed the oil pressure had dropped. It went back up and after it sat awhile, I checked the oil and the level was fine

 

Maybe consider hot torquing the injector hold downs. 130 INCH/Lbs, with everything up to operating temps.

Check and replace as needed: valve cover gaskets/under vc wire harness, and engine side valve cover plugs/pigtails.

With 370K on it, maybe consider just replacing the HPOP with a T500 or Adrenaline. With 370k, its go to be getting tired. By the time you buy all the gaskets/seals,etc.. to re-seal it, you've spent a chunk of change you could put towards a fresh upgraded pump.

Might as well re-seal/re-build the fuel bowl while you're there.

Coolant filter is a waste of time and money. Also, one more thing in the way when you need to work on it. Especially if you put in an S&B Cold Air Intake/Filter, which is what I would recommend. I prefer the oiled/cleanable filter.

For the glow plug module, get the upgraded oversize one from Diesel O-Rings. Its much bigger and and more robust. ( Don't worry. Follow the instructions and it will fit.)
Monster White-Rodgers Glow Plug Relay

For glow plugs, use ONLY oem Motorcraft replacements. A number of aftermarket brands are known to have the tips swell up, and then they get stuck and break off in the head next time you need to remove them.
Motorcraft ZD-11. They are about $12, so not worth the risk of using bad ones.
#14-021 Motorcraft ZD-11 Glow Plugs 94-03 7.3L - Engine / Injectors / UVC and Electrical - 1999-2003 Ford 7.3L

 

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How long has the oil been in, and what are you using?
These motors really like timely 3k miles oil changes. Even if the oil is still clean, once you push much past that, it starts to get sheared down by the pressures in the HPOP/injection system, and the oil gets "thinner", This in turn can make the truck run rough/idle "funny" Of course, you should be using a quality diesel rated oil. In the warmer summer months, 15w40 would be a good choice. When it gets cold ( winter), I like to switch to 5w40 synthetic Rotella T6

 

What were you looking at, gauge on the dash or scanner for oil pressure.

I think with the Excursion he will have the actual GPM not a relay.


Agree only OEM for glow plugs for sure.

 

If the GPCM is not broken, don't fix it.

While in there inspect the passenger side fuel line, the support bracket can rub thru it. Also if your HPOP hoses are original they can get crispy and pop, leaving you dead on the side of the road with a gallon of oil covering your engine. Fresh updated hoses from Riff Raff are just the ticket to ensure continued Ford motoring confidence.

 

I was just using dash gauge. I have the modulenot the relay

 

Responding to the quotes below, to partially answer your questions above.

This ^^^ is always a good idea in your situation.

For my Ex, I just replaced all the glow plugs (preventive maintenance) and found the UVCH on the passenger side with burnt pins, so I replaced it. My Ex is closing in on 250k and those parts were all original.

I disagree with this one. Replace the HPOP when it goes bad or isn't performing the way you want or need.

This is cheap maintenance and is easily done with the bowl removed, which you will have, so like Car suggested, it's good preventive maintenance.

Another one I disagree with. A coolant filter is always a good thing, with a proper setup, especially because they aren't expensive. And while I don't have one on my truck yet, the one that I put on my Excursion over 10 years ago has never been in my way when working on the rig, but I also don't have the S&B on the Ex, I have an AFE stage 2.

As stated in the below quotes, you have a GPCM not a GPR, so the bigger upgraded GPR at Bob's site won't work for you.

This is pretty important, so make sure you don't go aftermarket.

While some engines may indeed follow the above generalization, a lot of them don't, based on all the posts I've read over the years.

There are a lot of guys who regularly run more miles than 3000 between oil changes and their trucks are completely safe and have operated to spec. This opinion is extrapolated and based on posts by the trucks owners who have documented their actions here at FTE for many, many years.

A lot of guys will even send a sample of their oil to a lab to make sure the oil is still within spec, and to make sure there aren't any metals or contaminants suspended in the oil.

Yes, the OP's 2001 MY will have the control module, not the relay.

This ^^^ Save money. Like the HPOP, it's not a maintenance item.

Again, this is a good idea.

Stewart

 

Thanks for all of the advice so far. The gpcm has already been purchased so that will go in. I will get the fuel bowl kits and hpop lines. Would the hpop going out cause the peaks and valleys in oil pressure and rough idle?

 

Iirc the gauge is for the LPOP, I suppose the HPOP could cause your symptoms, but I would suspect the LPOP if it were me as that will feed the HPOP

 

It is definitely for the low pressure oil not HPOP. HPOP pressure will need to be monitored via scanner by looking at ICP pressure.

I'm not even sure the dash gauge is a real gauge, more like an on off switch. Can screw a pressure gauge in the hpop reservoir and watch LPO pressure

 

After seeing a couple of clogged radiators at work and on my wife's Excursion, a coolant filtration is not a bad idea, them things ain't cheap. I'm still trying to figure out how to plumb a coolant filtration system on my wife's Excursion (it's a Gasser)