7.3 Godzilla Engine Failure Thread, Post Them Here
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
My '22 has been on synthetic since it's first oil change at 2000 miles and is over 67k now. I use it for all kinds of things from plowing, towing, hauling, road tripping. It has not needed a single repair with the exception of a failed battery last month. Never seen the inside of a dealership since it left Indiana 20 months ago.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 283
I went to look at a used motorcycle last week, the current owner was a tech at the Ford dealer for the last 2 years. I asked if he's seen any lifter issues or any common issues with the 7.3L in general. He said he has not.
They sell a lot of superdutys there(oil patch town) but not sure how may are 7.3L
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,924
Likes: 2,642
From: The Great State of Texas
I noticed oil spots on the driveway, had a slow drip while running and of coarse if you went under you could see it clearly. I became aware of it by oil spots on the driveway.
I went to look at a used motorcycle last week, the current owner was a tech at the Ford dealer for the last 2 years. I asked if he's seen any lifter issues or any common issues with the 7.3L in general. He said he has not.
They sell a lot of superdutys there(oil patch town) but not sure how may are 7.3L
I went to look at a used motorcycle last week, the current owner was a tech at the Ford dealer for the last 2 years. I asked if he's seen any lifter issues or any common issues with the 7.3L in general. He said he has not.
They sell a lot of superdutys there(oil patch town) but not sure how may are 7.3L
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 752
Likes: 519
I'm a big fan of synthetic and use it in everything I run. But.... I did have a '76 Pontiac Astre in college. It could not run synthetics without burning tons of it. The car always burned a little conventional oil, but synthetic went through it way, way faster. I've know people running older boats that have had similar issues. I don't blame that on the oil, just noting it as a point of order.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 74
From: Canada
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 891
Likes: 564
From: End of the Rockies
I remember that. Oil was going to leak out of everywhere on the engine because it was too thin.
Trailering
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 23
Likes: 12
Ok hopefully this doesn't turn into another oil discussion.... Lets stay on task here. @ 49k miles now, front main seal was repaired @30k. Yes you can easily tell leaves small puddle every 12 hours after parked. No other issues. factory oil and filter every 5k
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 188
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 25
From: Central Illinois
As someone who was born in the late 90s, I've always thought it would be pretty cool to go back and see what the 70s were like (ya know, assuming time travel was possible). However, hearing things like this and then seeing people from back then saying America was turning into a communist country when drinking and driving was made illegal REALLY makes me wonder what the 70s were like.
Drinking & driving was always illegal where I am from and most definitely throughout the 1970's. I will concur that driving impaired was not as strictly enforced as it is today but it was, without question, illegal. I was never aware of anyone with an ounce of functioning gray mater who equated enforcement of impaired driving laws to be some communist plot to overthrow the government. We all have our time and nostalgia is a human condition that nearly everyone holds dear but having seen then and now there is little doubt that, as a whole, the 1970's were a very good time to be alive in the good ol' U.S. of A.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,281
Likes: 2,415
From: Everywhere and nowhere
That’s not exactly what he said. He said synthetic wasn’t the best for every application on the 7.3 engine. His opinion was that in some uses, it could cause some harm. Just his opinion from experience working on the engines. Also pretty sure he said it’s new and too early to tell completely. Just how I read it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,281
Likes: 2,415
From: Everywhere and nowhere
That’s not exactly what he said. He said synthetic wasn’t the best for every application on the 7.3 engine. His opinion was that in some uses, it could cause some harm. Just his opinion from experience working on the engines. Also pretty sure he said it’s new and too early to tell completely. Just how I read it.
Whats happening with the lifters is a process called spalling. Spalling is a process of metal surface failure where the metal breaks down into small flakes. Many potential reasons for this, cavitation, excessive roller pressure, lack of lubrication...etc. Its a major problem that is pretty wide spread at this point. Its similar to what you might see with wheel bearing failure if you've seen that before.
The use of synthetic oil is consistant in most if not all of the cases. Interesting how syn oil is consitant with both the cylinder failures and the lifter failures. Especially when the average customer doesnt care which oil the dealer puts in it. All that said, continue to use synthetic...the more cases the better. Just means Ford will need to address the issue sooner.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 510
As someone who lived through the 1970's (graduated from college in 1975) and is still of relatively sound mind I can tell you with a decent degree of credibility that the 1970's had some downside and I'll be the first to acknowledge those downside's but as a whole it was FAR & AWAY a better time to grow up and live. Respect, courtesy, consideration along with basic honesty were in much greater supply and prevalence than in the world of your time and youth. At least it was where I come from.
Drinking & driving was always illegal where I am from and most definitely throughout the 1970's. I will concur that driving impaired was not as strictly enforced as it is today but it was, without question, illegal. I was never aware of anyone with an ounce of functioning gray mater who equated enforcement of impaired driving laws to be some communist plot to overthrow the government. We all have our time and nostalgia is a human condition that nearly everyone holds dear but having seen then and now there is little doubt that, as a whole, the 1970's were a very good time to be alive in the good ol' U.S. of A.
Drinking & driving was always illegal where I am from and most definitely throughout the 1970's. I will concur that driving impaired was not as strictly enforced as it is today but it was, without question, illegal. I was never aware of anyone with an ounce of functioning gray mater who equated enforcement of impaired driving laws to be some communist plot to overthrow the government. We all have our time and nostalgia is a human condition that nearly everyone holds dear but having seen then and now there is little doubt that, as a whole, the 1970's were a very good time to be alive in the good ol' U.S. of A.
Did you absolutely need to make a phone call? Pull over and use the pay phone, only a dime.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 188
I’m not an expert at all. Just stating how I thought he explained his thoughts.
Still waiting for a great 7.3 gas oil debate thread to see which I will run. First N/A engine in 8 years and didn’t tow before then and never asked what Ford put in there.