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Bought 2000 f350. My dream pickup. Found decent one, had it gone thru, rock solid only 170k miles. My cousin says they're easy to work on. I'm mechanically inclined, intimidated nonetheless.
Nice truck. There are a few common problems that might need attention. One that will bite you is the fuel pickup in the tank breaks and falls off so it will stop picking up fuel at 1/4 tank. Easy to fix by dropping tank and either replacing or modifying with the hutch mod. Ask previous owner if anything has been done or drive with a 5 gallon can of fuel and run it to 1/4 and below and see what happens. When I bought mine PO let the 5 gal. jug full of fuel go with the truck, I dropped the tank and fixed it.
I've only owned my 7.3 for 2 years, in the same boat of being mechanically inclined but never owned a diesel previously. I'd agree they are generally easy to work on, get Forscan on a laptop and an OBII USB plug to hook up to your computer it is priceless when diagnosing. As above said the fuel pickup is a common issue, I thought I had that issue and changed over to a sump. Other problem I have ran into is the UVCH (under valve cover harness), and although I thought I wouldn't be able to do myself it wasn't too bad. Learn from my mistake, don't buy the Dorman or other Chinese harness....had to redo with Motorcraft a year later. Edge CT3 gauge monitor is great to have too!
Good simple tests for common problems is do a boost test if you have access to compressed air. Simple to make a tester with a piece of PVC fitting and gauge, plenty of youtube videos. It will check the boots to see if you have any leaks. Another quick test is to use a test light or ohmmeter at the valve cover harness to check the glow plugs.
I have had a '01 7.3 for 22 years. Good truck and fairly easy to work on. Some things will make you wonder... What the heck just happened as it just 'died' (going 50 mph) or 'died' and will not start.... or truck running very badly ..on... four cylinders.
Let me explain. My fuel bowl ('01) has a heating element in it... if it shorts out and breaks it will arch and blow a fuse (#30?) and the truck will not run. 7.3s do not need the fuel bowl heater... unplug the wire in the fuel bowl or unplug the circuit on the back of the fuel bowl. The circuit is power to the fuel bowl heater and the message of 'Water in the bowl'... you do not need either.
Sudden engine shut off at speed.... in the rain. Water splashed onto and got in the Cam Positioning Sensor hole and disrupted the electrical Sensor. Take out Sensor and clean and check wiring connection and Seal it and the connection with Dielectric grease..
If the under the valve cover wiring harness gets worn at places and should be changed the truck will almost not run at all and you will think that you 'killed' it..... All will be fine once the correct parts are put on. Never use after market parts for the under the valve cover harness. Out in the middle of no wear and could only get after market harness.... 6hours of replacing and still no good.... had truck towed 250 miles home.. Diesel shop had me going the next day... and was told "Only use Ford Parts for valve cover harness".
Good info with the cam and crank position sensors. I had the 6.0 that had the same HEUI system and always carried spares. If they go faulty the truck doesn’t know when to inject fuel.
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