7.3 weak points -- ?
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7.3 weak points -- ?
Well.....read a lot lately about the 6.0 and V10s......suffice to say, seems as if the 6.0s have quite a few problems.
Looking to tow a 3,000 lb trailer with 2650 lb race car.
Still shopping - what ARE the weak pints of a 7.3 diesel, reliability-wise?
What are the things that are a:
Must-do
'Good to do '
to these engines when taking ownership?
Thanks in advance, and let 'er rip !
Craig
3 other gas turbos in the stable....one with 492 hp
Looking to tow a 3,000 lb trailer with 2650 lb race car.
Still shopping - what ARE the weak pints of a 7.3 diesel, reliability-wise?
What are the things that are a:
Must-do
'Good to do '
to these engines when taking ownership?
Thanks in advance, and let 'er rip !
Craig
3 other gas turbos in the stable....one with 492 hp
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
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From: 21791
hello Deesul, welcome to FordTruck Enthusiasts! 
i hate to brag (actually i love bragging about my truck) but i have to say that the 7.3 powerstroke is a near-bulletproof engine. it is a wise investment. upon gaining ownership, change all the fluids so you know they are up to date. these engines need clean oil, as the injectors are run off of oil pressure, and it is just overall better to have clean oil. change fluids such as engine oil, flush transmission, flush cooling system, change Transfercase fluid, flush powersteering system, and if you want to go overboard, the differential(s). not much more to say, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask them! no such thing as a "stupid question" around here!
see ya around,
Strokin_it
i hate to brag (actually i love bragging about my truck) but i have to say that the 7.3 powerstroke is a near-bulletproof engine. it is a wise investment. upon gaining ownership, change all the fluids so you know they are up to date. these engines need clean oil, as the injectors are run off of oil pressure, and it is just overall better to have clean oil. change fluids such as engine oil, flush transmission, flush cooling system, change Transfercase fluid, flush powersteering system, and if you want to go overboard, the differential(s). not much more to say, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask them! no such thing as a "stupid question" around here!
see ya around,
Strokin_it
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 544
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From: SLC, UT
As far as weak points i can only think of three: CPS (just replaced mine with the blue international one), glow plugs and glow plug relay (mine lasted 90,000 miles), and the hunk of junk air filter and assembly. Do a search on kwik filter. All of the above lasted 90,000 miles and the CPS was changed for piece of mind. Pretty reliable engine, these are just some things that most people have problems with. For the 100k miles I have put on it I think it is pretty bullet proof.
Last edited by dpwilson; Jan 20, 2006 at 05:34 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: pawhuska,okla.
i dont think these engines have weak points! the harder you work them the better they like it. gassers dont stand a chance in overall brute force. there are lots of mods to consider. maintenance is a must. they seem to last and last. probably the reason they got rid of them. there will be people chiming in soon. this IS the best engine.have fun reading,theres lots of valuable info
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
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I don't think the 7.3 has many flaws when compared to a gas engine. The CPS and glow plugs may be the only flaw, although I have 126K on mine and haven't replaced either. It's a great tow engine. I have a 4000lb snowmobile trailer that I run 2000 miles round trip at 70mph, and the engine has never skipped a beat. It has no oil leaks and may use a half quart every 4000 miles. As long as you change all the fluids regularly, it won't fail you. One other thing you have to watch out for is the oil pans have a problem with rust, and require maintnance to avoid a costly oil pan replacement.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
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From: New Hampshire
welcome to the forum..! i agree with strokin_it7.3, change ALL the fluids... INCLUDING the transfer case and diffs...! use synthetic fluids if you can afford to... they last longer, flow better when cold, and stand up to heat better... you will want to put a better air filter system on.. the stock one is not very good as it leaks... but one thing i ABSOLUTELY reccomend... GUAGES...! the ones on your dashboard are nothing but glorified IDIOT LIGHTS... and you are missing a few gauges that EVERY diesel SHOULD have right out of the factory... exhaust gas temp, tranny temp (that actually works) if you have an auto, and a turbo boost gauge.. if you have an auto tranny and you are going to tow anything, you MUST have a tranny temp gauge and add a big tru-cool tranny cooler in addition to the tranny coolers your truck already has... there are a few things that can make a big difference... but you have already found the best place you can go to learn about your mule...! the guys in here are great..!
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Dallas, Texas
Uh....weak points.....too fast, too brutally powerfull, and entirely too loud, Just the way I like it. 170K no CPS, SES, smoke other than black, nuthin! I will never stray.
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Wow. What an incredible list this is. NO BS (well, it is the internet...very little BS then
)
What changes should one make when getting a 7.3?
I've seen the PCV bypass, etc.......maybe a list of preferred/"good idea" modifications?
BTW, here is my other turbocharged ride:
http://home.comcast.net/~craigcarola...y_2005_010.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~craigcarola...o_pics_020.jpg
) What changes should one make when getting a 7.3?
I've seen the PCV bypass, etc.......maybe a list of preferred/"good idea" modifications?
BTW, here is my other turbocharged ride:
http://home.comcast.net/~craigcarola...y_2005_010.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~craigcarola...o_pics_020.jpg
Last edited by Kwikkordead; Jan 22, 2006 at 10:38 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 221
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From: Onalaska
Got my 99 SD SC LB 4X4 2 months ago and I LOVE IT. Best truck I have EVER owned hands down - in a league by itself. My "mule" (thanks alot johnny8 - that's what I always call her now) has 110k miles and I've already experienced perhaps the 2 most common problems - Vehicle Speed Sensor (replaced in 10 minutes costing $20.67) and door latch switch malfunction - fixed with WD40. I know these are very minor but apparently also the most common problems - not bad ones to have at all!
My advice - stop searching and get one.
My advice - stop searching and get one.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
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From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by blhfla
Got my 99 SD SC LB 4X4 2 months ago and I LOVE IT. Best truck I have EVER owned hands down - in a league by itself. My "mule" (thanks alot johnny8 - that's what I always call her now) has 110k miles and I've already experienced perhaps the 2 most common problems - Vehicle Speed Sensor (replaced in 10 minutes costing $20.67) and door latch switch malfunction - fixed with WD40. I know these are very minor but apparently also the most common problems - not bad ones to have at all!
My advice - stop searching and get one.
My advice - stop searching and get one.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
Kwik- I loved my old 99' F-250 with the six speed, however I never liked the way it towed heavy loads, biggest complaint was how all my boost was dumped when I was upshifting. However, if I could do it again I would buy another 6 speed. I love my current 00' F-350 DRW except for the fact that is an auto!
DC-9
DC-9