What are the most likely problems?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: South Orange NJ
What are the most likely problems?
Hi Folks - New member here. I have owned a bunch of Ford trucks, but have been truckless for 5 years. I am looking at a 97 F-250HD with the powerstroke and 2wd. The truck has 160k miles. Can anyone tell me what the most common problem areas are on these trucks? Front end, transmissions, motors, etc? Thanks much.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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welcome to the forum!
a lot of the problems you will run into depend on what the person(s) before you used the truck for. any history you can share will help.
the engines are heavy, so the front springs and ball joints are common. fuel leaks from old hoses. glow plugs / glow plug relay. the list goes on, but those are some common issues i've seen here and on my truck.
it's all fixable though, and you have found the right place to talk about it!
a lot of the problems you will run into depend on what the person(s) before you used the truck for. any history you can share will help.
the engines are heavy, so the front springs and ball joints are common. fuel leaks from old hoses. glow plugs / glow plug relay. the list goes on, but those are some common issues i've seen here and on my truck.
it's all fixable though, and you have found the right place to talk about it!
More Turbo
Joined: May 2006
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If you live in a state that use ice and snow control give a good look at the oil pan and the oil cooler, the salt and magnisium cloride can and will eat right through and leave you with an exspensive repair.. I am in N.Y. and have done 3 rust thru on the oil pan and 1 rust thru on the oil cooler (3 differant trucks..... 160 is not an alarmingly high milage for the PSD but the rest of the truck is just a truck check it for the usual stuff ball joints ,brakes. the exhaust, tires, any oil or tranny leaks, body conditition , etc, etc.......
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Minneapolis
There was a recall on those, he should check to see if the truck had it serviced. Mine went out and stranded me, but I got reimbursed when the recall came out.
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From: Ocala
I thought the re-call was on the 99-03. Didn't know the OBS trucks had one...
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Posting Guru
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From: Gladwin,Mi
It was only the '97 and the '99+ 7.3 that was part of the recall
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Elder User
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From: Ocala
Now for the original post, I got mine with 179k on it. I've done water pump, master and slave cylinder, ICP sensor, and glow plugs. Then I caught PMS and dumped a lot of money into it. I'm sure if you buy this truck you will catch it too lol.
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Senior User
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From: South Orange NJ
no comparison
Keep in mind what I am looking for. I have owned many trucks through the years as a contractor. Right now, I need something with an 8' bed that is reliable and cheap to operate. I will be using it only about once a week. What the trucks I have been looking at have in common is that they are under 4000 bucks, have between 120 - 150k miles, and have that 8' bed. I know the two we are talking about here are very different, but in the areas where I need to concentrate they are in fact similar. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Ocala
Except one large factor. A diesel with 150k is still practically new. A 98 150 you have 3 motor choices: 4.2, 4.6, or 5.4. All of which are not gonna be so hott at that mileage. I know because I had two out of the three above motors. With the 4.2, I replaced the motor and rear-end at 118k. And the 5.4 had nothing but problems at 106k. But its up to you, I would just hate to see you fall into a money pit.