2001 Ex 4x4 XLT 7.3L 87K Mi.

Started it up this morning and it barely runs. Really clakity clak. Will not accelerate. It will rev up (not sounding right), but doesnt do it while in gear. No power no accl. Sounds like not runninhg on all cylinders.

Check engine light is on.

Not much to go on, buut any thoughts?

Thanks,
D

 

Have you tried pulling any codes?

 

I was on day 3 of my 5 day camping trip. I have no reader and the local auto parts store was not open.

It is at the dealer waiting til morning to be diagnosed. Then I'm trading that POS in.

 

Although I loved the diesel (while it was running), Im not going to be able to fit the extra $5K into the new deal. I do need some HP, so looks like the V10 will be the next try.

I could get the 5.4L in the F250, but seems silly when for $600 you can get 2 more cylinders.

I will have a hard time buying another used vehicle.

Any thoughts on the V10 ( I know go to the V10 forum).

 

I talked to a friend who's a mechanic for the local fire dept and he says the V10 can't hold a candle to the PSD's. Much less power and more problems.

Nut

 

I pulled my trailer behind a V10 and your right, the power can't compare. That was an old 2v V10. I could only go 40MPH up some grades. My 7.3L with same trailer went 45 MPH up the same grades. Both got the same mileage. I really enjoyed those extra 3 minutes at the campsite though.

If it wasn't for the POS I have (in 30K miles -over $2K in repairs - not including the 4 warranty covered items) I would be doing everything I could to get a 6.0. Right now I can go with a used 6.0 (03-04 who wants one of those) or a new V10. The diesel just isn't gunna happen this time. The $5K for the 6.0 can buy a lot of gas and three extra minutes at the cg isnt gunna be missed.

Now, does anyone have any thoughts on the problem with the 7.3L?

 

Since the check engine light came on, it would be really helpful to get the codes pulled so we can at least have something to start with.

 

Stealer just called.

One whole bank of cylinders not firing. Looks like injector wiring harness under valve cover. $350 to remove cover and make sure that is it. Unlikely all four injectors went out at same time, so seems like harness. Another $500 later I will still have an engine that might be back in the shop 2 weeks from now.

 

Two dealers tonight. Neither had a F250 w/ V10.

Might end up in a used 6.0L w/ 11K mi. I guess that wouldnt be so bad.

 

That's unfortunate. UVC harness is actually a SOMEWHAT semi-common issue. I feel silly for not thinking of it. But... had you simply pulled codes, we could've then seen what the dealer saw and UVC harness would've been the first thing to come to mind. This is a fix you can do yourself if you want.. many on the forums have already. It'd be much cheaper than having the dealer do it, and would probably be a good opportunity to learn some intricacies of the truck and how it works.

Just a forewarning... the GENERAL consensus is that the 7.3 is rock solid, and the 6.0 is..........NOT. Good luck with the 6.0 if that's the way you go. Maybe go have a dally at the 6.0 section and look at the problems they deal with. You may compare it to the 7.3 section and see the differences. Guys with 7.3s have a CPS or UVC harness come up possibly... 6.0 you've got guys on the THIRD turbo, etc. etc. etc...

edit - this is kind of ironic. I just went to the Superduty section and the first post was this one:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=496834

You'll just not see those kinds of posts about a 7.3, because those things just dont' really happen with 7.3s. I still suggest reading in the 6.0 and 7.3 sections for a few days, and compare the differences in problems people have.

2nd edit - found this handy article that you may find makes for good reading on the issue you're experiencing:
http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articl...icle-05-10.php

 

I did read for days before I purchased the 7.3L. Sold two of my friends on them too. Hope they don't have the obviously A-typical problems I have had.

I purchased the vehicle at 55K mi.

In 35K miles I had

turbo boost clamps fail-oil all over the place
fuel water separator valve replaced
2 injector sleeves crack - replaced
HPOP replaced
ICP sensor go out - replaced
and now the injector wiring harness.

I was 15 days out of warranty and they wouldn't cover the ICP sensor. Now Im 28 days out of warranty you think they will cover the harness - NOT

My story sounds a lot like the fella in the link above.

At least the 6.0L will have the standard warranty and I'm workin a 7 yr b-b into the deal.

When my 7.3L was running it pulled like nothing else I have driven, but a couple of family and friends have 04 6.0 w/ no problems. I know better to buy an 03 or 04 6.0L (new year and all), but I dont want to keep putting money into my 7.3L every month.

 

It's quite rare for someone to have a bad 7.3 as most of them are rock solid. Don't let this one experience sour the 7.3 altogether for you. I've had mine for about 138K new since 2001 and it never gave me much of a problem. As long as you change the oil and keep your fluids current, the truck will take care of you. If you decide to look for another one, get the VIN and Tm Lamkin or one of the others can run an OASIS report and you'll know whether the vehicle is worth looking into or not. The 6.0 and V10 are also great options, but the same applies.

 

Only V10 I could find was a 2003 (2valve 310 HP). It only had 30K mi on it, and price was right. With the negative equity I still woulda dropped in payment. Too bad the old man was a cigar smoker.

Ended up in a 2006 F150 screw 6.5' box. My Toy Hauler is up for sale now that I can put my bike in the box. Looking for a smaller TT.

I tried to get into a 04 6.0L, but your voices in my head. Those voices and the little tug in the tranny made me look elsewhere.

Got in the zippy (in comparison to the 7.3L) 5.4L 300 HP 360 Ft-Lb.

Wife loves me again, it's her daily driver. She said I love it, no smell, not noisy, and got a gittyup.

Ill be a diesel owner again, just not in the next 5 years. Nothing pulls like a diesel.

Thanks for the advice while I was here. I'll keep read up to know what's up when I get back into one.

Until then,

Later,
D

 

Damone, sorry to see you go. Circle of life. Whoever buys your truck will likely end up here on this forum as I'm convinced it still has many years of life left in it. And so it goes. Best of luck.

 

Remember there are still the 5.4 and F150 sections to help with your new truck!