7.3 Maintenance

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Aug 27, 2007 | 10:50 AM

7.3guy

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Joined: Aug 2007

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7.3 Maintenance

Hello everyone, newbie poster here, but longtime owner of Ford trucks and looking for a little advice. I had the opportunity to purchase a 2003 F-250 Lariat 7.3l with 97K miles on it. I confess to falling in love with this truck, but know relatively nothing about diesels, save for the basic differences in engine architecture. My previous truck was a 2001 F-250 XLT V10, which was a great truck.

My question is one of maintenance. The selling dealer did not have much maintenance history on the vehicle, and they were not a Ford dealer (import dealer), so they were not of much help. I did not have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic prior to delivery. I did a bunch of research on this site, and from prior Ford experience, knew the 7.3 was considered a tough, reliable powerplant so I took the plunge.

I fully intend to have the vehicle checked out by a Ford shop, but I'm wondering, with a diesel engine of this age and mileage, and corresponding lack of history, are there specific things I should be aware of? I have always followed the recommended factory maintenance schedules for my trucks, but with no prior history of problems, work done, etc what should I be concerned with? Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.

Aug 27, 2007 | 10:59 AM

Pocket

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 9,293

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From: Parker, CO

With 97K on the odometer, you are close to the 100K marker for maintenance. Might as well start with that. Change your oil, trans fluid, coolant, fuel filter, air filter, and check the differential oil.

Also you don't have to go to the Ford dealer if you are savvy with a wrench.

If you want to check the engine, here are a few tips. First pull off the intake at the turbo inlet and inspect the turbo compressor wheel. Look for damage, and also check the shaft for play (there should be none or barely noticeable movement, and the wheel should spin freely). When you change the air filter, rub your finger along the inside of the intake tube just after the filter. It should be clean. Dirt = poor maintenance and/or broken intake. Also you can get an oil analysis on your truck to find out the health of the engine. www.blackstone-labs.com. Dirty air and poor engine oil maintenance are the two biggest killers of the 7.3L.

Aug 27, 2007 | 11:52 AM

zx250

Of the next Riffraff East

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 8,679

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From: Concord NC

Wecome to the site. Looks like you've already made two good choices. Buying a 7.3 PSD and joining FTE. Look HERE for a lifetime of knowlege of the PSD gurus. Couple of quick things to remember, Use oil made for use in diesels. Power steering pump don't use power steering fluid, uses ATF. Most here recommend using a fuel supplment such a Diesel Kleen. Helps put the slick back the fuel that the Gov. took out with the ULSD that you have to buy now. Keep close check on stock air intake box as that is the main sorce of contamina tion. The stock boxes have been known to allow dust around stock filter. Most here recommend steering away for oil soaked filters, (you know the ones), an inexpensive and good alternative is the 6637 found on the link above. All of what Pocket suggested it very good advise. Congrate on your truck and with a little care it will last you several 100k more miles and still be going.