87 6.9

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Jan 20, 2004 | 04:27 PM

DMAN

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87 6.9

I know someone who may be selling there 87 f-350 dump truck. I am interested in this truck but its hard to start. The compresion was checked and one cylinder was 400, one was 200, and the rest were between 300-350. What could be the problem? I dont see how it could be rings because only on cylinder is realy low. Could it be a pin hole or head gasket? I have been seeing alot of discusion about the soup bowl is this the screen over the intake?

Jan 20, 2004 | 05:19 PM

7.3dave

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hi dman, there is alot of variables to your question, but i'll throw in my two cents worth. your start problem is more than likely in the glow plug system, as these things wont start with out em.some will start easy, and others wont. i've got an 87 6.9 with 300,000 miles on it, and even when its 20 degrees it will start right up on only 6 glow plugs. this thing has enough blowby to fog mosquitos, but still keeps tickin. on the other hand, i've also got an 88 7.3 with 150,000 without a bit of blowby, and even if its 100 outside you have to cycle the glow plugs two or three times to crank it. its always been that way and i guess it will go the grave the same way. the compression issue sounds like a broken ring , but could also be a burnt valve. these engines are tough as nails, but when they go out it will take a ton of money to rebuild. if its says diesel, its exspensive. if it has'nt been run through mill, then check it out further.
talk at ya later, dave

Jan 20, 2004 | 05:25 PM

7.3dave

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also i forgot to mention, if you take off the air cleaner lid, there will be a bowl looking metal piece built on bottom of the lid. by cutting it of you encrease the air flow to it. my 6.9 does'nt have the bowl, but the 7.3 did
dave.