I found deisel fuel in my coolant reservoir. Truck was running fine no overheating but I could smell diesel so looked around and saw fuel in coolant. Sou d's like could be the injector cups? Anyone had this problem and how much is it gonna hurt? Just got this 2002 7.3 last month.
Mark

 

 

Thanks for reply. I was thinking ballpark shop cost so I know what is reasonable estimate. I would have tried to fix myself in younger days but have never worked on a deisel and work too much to try it now.

 

Unfortunately, after you pay a shop to perform that job (and the other stuff that you'll 'need' while they're in there) you will most likely find that you could have taken off work without pay, bought the tools to do the job and still be ahead of the game.

 

 

So... is no one renting the tool from Clay any more? Everyone now keeping the tool? If you return the tool, you get a big chunk of that $750 estimate back in your pocket (in the end, only $100 for the cups, $60 for o-rings, plus misc cleaning supplies).

 

You can rent a much better tool than the Rosewood/eBay style from Riffraff Diesel. Makes the job as easy as it is going to get. For under $300 you can get factory cups, orings, retaining compound and the rental tool with free return shipping. When you do the math you basically get to rent the tool for free. I did it several times unless I decided to just buy the tool as cup jobs kept coming into the shop. Hands down best tool on the market, you can tell they really put some engineering and experience into it. I think they even have it patented now.

Motorcraft 7.3L Injector Cup Kit 94-03 (F4TZ9F538A)

 

Another vote for the Riffraff tool:

 

Clay has the tool on sale right now, too.

 

Shops out here are hovering around $150/hr.

Yet another vote for the Riffraff tool. Used it last year and it worked great.

 

I rented the kit from Riffraff. Pulling them was a breeze, so far it's easy to tell that they are very well engineered tools. I have yet to install the new cups because i'm still cleaning the bores. Need a coolant pressurizing kit or the air/silicone trick as made famous by Tugly, so don't forget that if you go the DIY route. Arguably, for not a whole lot more than the price I'd pay somebody to replace all 8 cups, I'm getting a 38r and some new injectors. After a couple pay checks later, i'm getting some pride, knowledge, stress and OCD out of it as well.

 

Honestly, I vote for the DIY route as well. There's nothing better than getting your hands dirty and doing the job yourself. That, and saving a butt ton of money not having someone you don't trust work on your truck. Seeing as how you just got it, this will give you an opportunity to learn about it a little more yourself. There are tons of resources you can pull from on a fairly simple injector cup swap job, here and across the internet. Don't trust Youtube so much unless it is from a reputable shop. Work may be a little tight but see if you can set aside a day where you can take care of this job without interruptions. If you are somewhat close to Round Lake, IL, I can drive out and give you an extra set of hands.

 

I just finished this project. If you need any help let me know!