heya,
i have a chance to buy a nice 2000 SD, the guy said the engine won't start, and before it died it had grey/black smoke. is the engine toast? he said he doesn't know anythink about engines and doesn't want truck. he's willing to sell it(manul, supercab) for $6000 and heck, i know a guy with an early 1999 7.3L for $1500. any ideas? I'm thinking it could be as simple as the CPS, and i may have a heck of a deal (other than needing a short bed, not a long bed for my camper).

 

Did the engine die while underway, or simply not start the next morning?
For me that makes a big difference.

 

it just wouldn't start again.

 

---bump---

 

Not starting the next morning points to a failed glow plug relay as the most likely suspect.
Check for power on the large driver's side post immediatly after turning on the ignition. No power = failed relay. Power there = something else.
If that is all that it is, then buy the truck from him, get the papers signed.
Then jump the relay in his driveway, start the truck and drive away!

 

awesome Dan, thanks. that's what i was thinking if it was the CPS, change the thing in 10 minutes and drive off. I wonder if i can find a photo of the glow plug relay on here by search. sounds like it may look like a solonoid. thanks!!

 

Most likely if the truck is a 2000, it'll look like this:



Of the two brown relays, the on one the left is the GPR. The other is the AIH relay. The round object you see there is the fuel filer, and it sits on the top of the motor, under a small piece of plastic that says "Powerstroke 7.3" or something like that on it.

Welcome to FTE. Did you say in your original post that you know of an early '99 for sale for $1,500???

 

Wouldn't that be a killer deal?

 

ok, give me his name, address and phone number, I will go check it out for ya...
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Yep, lemmie know where it is..and I'll go pick it up tomorrow. LOL