Has anybody had a7.3 with lots of miles that did not have a cavatation problem?

 

yepper. as long as they used cooling treatment products. there are many different names .. nalcool, napa cool, etc. you could even use a filter that contains the chemical, i think cummins shops used dc4 filters. (been too long since i used that). i have seen them go 475k without major block problems.

 

Check the ph etc every time you change the oil, adjust as required. Change the coolant often - use deionised water and Ford additive. OR change to evans cooling fluid. It is not cheep $24 or so /gal but it is not water based and will last as long as the truck. Runs lower pressure there fore the hoses etc will last longer.

 

deanj, who carries evans cooling fluid?

 

Ther's some sign of coolant that leaked from the radiator cap, van looks really clean otherwise. Is this no biggie, or a sign of a problem? Van has 177,000 miles

 

Get the ph test strips from napa or similar and check the ph, if every thing is to specs then it is a good possibility that the previous owner used the additive.

 

I dont think it has to do so much with SCA and PH levels. Its also not a problem that WILL happen. It is a random problem period. Some trucks will get it others will not. Some trucks that have thinner cylinder walls, with use of an SCA and changes frequently, may never see cavitation. I have 2 trucks that come in frequently, a 1988 7.3 F-Superduty Trash truck, and a 1990 e-350 Ambulance. They do thier own service, and neither have used SCA's since either could remember buying the truck, just routine coolant changes. I keep preaching, and neither will listen, because there is no levels in the system. Both with over 10,000 hours, and both well over 250,000 miles. Neither run the best, but neither have cavitated.

To be safe, use it. Its like playing with fire. You may play and play and play, but 1 time (1 engine) its gonna catch up to you.

 

Some people like playing russian roulette only they seem to think that 5 in the cylinder is the way you play. Adding the SCA to get the correct PH and changing frequently (using de-ionised water) is cheap insurance. Well matbe not with the russian roulette crowd they would rather spend $$$$$$$$$$ instead of $