Early 1999 F350SD 7.3, 4wd, SRW, Auto. 135,000 original.

Good morning friends,

I am new to the site, and am still figuring everything out. I did my best to search posts for my problem, but I didn't find what I needed. I'm sure I am doing the searches wrong considering I didn't find much. 7.3 is an exceptional motor, but stuff still breaks.. So, I apologize in advance if I am asking a question that has been asked a thousand times before...

I just bought the aforementioned truck and am hearing a "knocking/clicking" from the left-side of the engine. My hunch is that it is coming from the rear of the engine, can almost feel it through the floor, although very faint. I can certainly hear it, although it is not super loud. It follows the rpm's perfectly, but is absent at idle.
Before I get my panties worked in a bunch, I am going to get underneath to see if I can see an obvious exhaust leak, but my gut is telling me that is not the problem. After buying it, I filled the tank , drove about 100 miles with my "chase vehicle" on the trailer, approximately 6K lbs (Other 7.3 is out of service as well), and saw that I got 10.6 mpg. Not great mileage, granted it's a stock 23 year old motor, but still. Makes me think injector.
Does any of the FTE community have any advice/tips? Also, I am just a broke public servant, so mechanics are generally not a luxury I can afford, parts are bad enough by themselves...

Hope everyone is having a good one, and thank you for any help given!

-E99' 350 SD 7.3 - stock
-97' 250 HD 7.3 - bunch of money costing things

 

Moved thread to the den of 7.3L diesel experts.

Bumping to the top of new sub forum for the benefit of @lschmitty .

 

Can you make a recording?

 

Welcome by the way. What all have you done to the truck?

It could be a boost leak, or it could be the uppipes if they are still the original ones with donuts vs bellowed uppipes

 

@lschmitty , welcome to the FTE!

Good morning to you as well and do you have any pictures of the 135,000 mile 1999 F-350? We love pictures!

As for your issue, Wes444 has some good ideas for you to look into. When I bought my truck, it had a leak in the up-pipes and possibly one where the down pipe meets the turbine outlet. I was lucky and did not have a leak at the manifold to engine mating surface though as some have. Most any small leak on the exhaust side is capable of making a ticking noise. Although, I am not saying that is your issue.

Perhaps there is no issue at all and you are hearing things that may not sound normal to you, but are somewhat normal for a 22 year old diesel truck. I get it, my truck is a very early 2000 build.

The search function here on the FTE is very lacking and subpar in my opinion. Sometimes you can find what you are looking for by following a different search criteria noted in the 7.3L PSD Tech Folder.

Using Google To Search FTE (examples)

• Search For 7.3 Fuel Pump On FTE Via Google
• Search For 7.3L Purchase Advice On FTE Via Google

Moving forward with your concerns and questions...

A recording (as PriusLover mentioned) of the sound from various points in and outside the truck would help us out. You will be able to attach the video if it is under 5 MB, but most people host them on YouTube or Rumble for us to view and give an honest opinion.

10.6 MPG is not a bad mileage for a 8,500 lbs truck towing a 6,000 lbs trailer. Some 7.3L owners only get that unloaded with no payload or trailer. You may be able to squeeze another MPG or two out of the truck once you get it back into top tier shape, but 10.6 MPG is a GREAT starting point. At least in my humble opinion.

We are a DIY and shadetree sort of community. We tend to shy away from professional mechanics unless they are vetted. Sometimes we have no other choice, but most times we are able to help an FTE'r out. Be that here in the virtual world, in person or by recommending a place to get some help. Rest assured, you have found the right place and we will get you sorted, we just need you to be the eyes and ears in this endeavor.

Welcome again!

 

Thank you sir.

 

Yes, I will today. I am coming off of shift today.

 

Thank you. The motor is very much stock, so I imagine the uppies are as well.

 

Recommend you get Forscan app on your android device along with a BT OBDII adapter. Then you can read codes, monitor sensors, and run tests. Check out the Forscan links from the 7.3 Tech Folder stickied at the top of the forum. Many standard code readers will not work on these trucks.

Post up some pics of your new ride!