03 crew dually 4x4 original program, 9k miles. What should I check for when I receive the truck back? I have had the infamous hanging drip since purchase in July 03 and have visited with service diesel tech in the past and was told it was installation lube that was slowly heating and seeping out. Took the truck in the other day to get the cracking leather seat bottom replaced and decided it was time to have my hanging drip officially diagnosed. The tech came back with a leaking bedplate gasket and after a visit with him he stated he and the other tech are doing this replacement weekly (small market in Topeka,Ks). They had an identical truck in for the same thing and sure looked strange seeing the entire body raised 8 foot into the air in order to remove the engine.
I do not like the idea of having refrigerant lines opened for 3 days as that usually causes compressor problems down the road as well as all of the wiring and steering components that have to be disconnected. It will be like having a rebuilt wreck when they are finished. Do not like the idea but now that Ford has documented that I have an oil leak I must fix to avoid any warranty problems in the future. Thanks

 

I live in a rural town with a small dealership. They've had to pull the cab off some trucks for engine repairs. I know some people at the dealership. I've heard nothing bad about this process required to get to the engine. Sounds kinda wierd to us shade tree mechanics, but it makes things a lot easier for the techs. You oughta try putting an engine in an older Corvette without pulling the front clip. It's do-able, but a pain in the ****!

What should you look for when you get it back? First, it'll have a new flash. Say bye-bye to the pilot injection. It may be a little more noisy at idle. So expect that. Ask if the early injectors were under recall. (I don't think so), And ask if they changed them. Go through a complete safety check for steering and brakes. Listen for squeaks and rattles and exhaust issues. Was the down pipe checked for cracking? I've heard that some of the early down pipes were prone to crack.

Else, just drive it. And enjoy a clean driveway and garage floor. (no leak)

Figure it this way, much of your 10,000 mile service just got knocked out for free. New oil/filter change. Hopefully a fuel filter change. New coolant.

 

Thanks
The tech informed me that he will not change programming. I was inquiring if the latest skip change was worth getting as I have the rolling idle, high altitude cold start problem and turbo lag at times but nothing I couldn't live with. He and the service advisor assured me that they would not update programming unless I requested them to do it. I want it left as is until I get the truck back and insure that it performs at least as well as before the teardown. Then I may at a later date have them reprogram.

 

I had a 2003 f350 cc 4x4 dually that had 2 rear main seals replaced it still leaked replaced bed plate gasget it still leaked. Ford offered a new 2005 king ranch cc drw f4x4 so i took it.The tech said it was probably bad casting on the bottom of the engine or porus metal.They did not have to pull the cab to replace the bedplate gasget just removed the hood.It also had numerous other problems besides the oil leak.It was an early 03 with a oct 02 build date.So far i love the 2005 but it only has 800 miles on it.They have improved the ride and it has a much better turning radius.Good luck with your 2003 keep everything documented.

 

Moved... to SD