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Old Oct 4, 2020 | 01:42 PM
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Overheating

Hey! I’m on a shoestring budget in a small town Alaska. I need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to put a truck camper on aNd live in next year

I’m offered a F350 2001 diesel for $2500. The owner said it has been sitting for 2 years after overheating.
The owner said he tried to fix it but gave up. He said he got a kit for checking if it was the head gasket but it did not seem to be that
I’m not sure exactly what he did.
I wonder how risky it would be to get that truck. Even if the head gasket need to be replaced for $2000 seems to be a pretty good truck for $4500

my budget are $5000

would love to heat suggestions. I Don’t have a shop
to fix anything myself

David
 
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Old Oct 4, 2020 | 02:33 PM
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My recommendation is to keep looking. Diesels can get expensive quickly when repairing. Especially if you can’t do the work yourself.

My vote is to look for trucks that are currently driven regularly with no issues (or just minor things) that are more around the upper side of your budget.
 
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Old Oct 4, 2020 | 05:09 PM
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Just got hold of a mechanic that told me exactly the same thing.

thank you for your insight


Originally Posted by RacinJasonWV
My recommendation is to keep looking. Diesels can get expensive quickly when repairing. Especially if you can’t do the work yourself.

My vote is to look for trucks that are currently driven regularly with no issues (or just minor things) that are more around the upper side of your budget.
 
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Old Oct 4, 2020 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by davidlundborg
Just got hold of a mechanic that told me exactly the same thing.

thank you for your insight
Hey, I got one right!

Best of luck on your search. I’m hoping you end up with a 7.3 and come back to visit us here!
 
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Old Oct 5, 2020 | 02:11 AM
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I'd recommend looking for a runner too, instead of an unknown basket case diesel. Gas truck will be cheaper to buy and run, most likely.

That said, head gaskets rarely go bad on a 7.3 engine. If no other better options show up, that truck might still be worth fixing. Go back a week or 2 later and offer $1k.

Alaska? Reminds me of this thread.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2020 | 07:14 AM
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What conditions caused it to overheat?

Its not uncommon for 7.3’s that ran the wrong coolant or did not properly maintain coolant additives to end up with holes in the cylinder walls. This causes pressurizing of the cooling system and overheating and can cause a hydro lock situation after sitting.

Like stated above - head gaskets are RARELY an issue on 7.3’s.

Rusty 7.3’s aren’t worth much more that $2500 if they run perfect....
 
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Old Oct 5, 2020 | 08:24 PM
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Where at in Alaska? I'm from the Kenai Peninsula and my wife is from the Aleutian chain.
We Lived there 40 years, Between growing up and work we have been to most areas.

If you don't need a diesel (towing 10k+ regularly) get a gas truck. Diesel cost too much if you don't need it. And they have way more cold weather starting problems, especially the 7.3

Cheers and good luck!
 
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