i've got coolant dripping off of my starter on my 7.3 idi. i just glanced at it, i can't tell where it's comming from. i assume that since it's that far back it's likely a head gasket? how bad are those to replace? i've been looking and with the 6.9 they said you have to pull the engine. is it the same with the 7.3? do i really need to pull the engine just to replace the heag gaskets?

 

The 6.9 and 7.3 are for most purposes the same engine.

The heads may be removed with the engine in the truck, but by the time you are done you will wish you had pulled the engine.

I have a turbo which makes it a little different, but I can pull the engine, change head gaskets and reinstall the engine faster than you can change them with the motor installed.
And in the end, I will have a better job since I will not be standing on my head while I do it.

 

Make sure it is a head gasket, could be the waterpump or the block heater.... the fan has a tendancy to throw coolant everywhere.

Check the weep hole for stains under the W/P behind the pulley (mirror), the B/heater is over and behind the starter, head leaks usually show up at the rear lower corner of the head.

 

I have this problem with mine, check your freeze plugs. Mine were seeping so I cleaned them up real good and put sealant around them, it has helped but I still have one leakin that I couldnt get to. Dont use anyhting other than the OEM plugs if you replace them and only use the tool designed to install them. I didnt have it thats why I didnt remove mine.

 

check the block heater