Had a small maintenance day at my place last Friday, 2 friends and myself on my 2001 7.3 and one of there 1999 and 1/2 7.3.

Did the Transmission flush in mine, as well as power steering flush using Mobil 1 syn, WOW, what a difference on the braking and steering, just unbelievable.

Now onto the 99.5 truck. I have known the guy for 4 or 5 years, just always assumed he knew enough to do the basic maint on his truck. The reason for him coming over was his oil leak, 1 - 2 quarts every 500 miles. Since I have been learning so much here at FTE i told him I thought I could help him find it.

The oil leak was easy, rolled under truck, filter covered in oil. It had been tightened until the metal of the filter was hitting the seat on the block. Figured, OK, time to ask some questions and look things over before we head to the parts store......

Pulled air box and pulled air filter, OMG!!!!!!!! here is a link to the pic, hope it works.

vehicles :: air filter picture by rubymuledeer - Photobucket

OK, so now, i ask him, have you ever put a fuel filter in? No.... Transmission service or anything? No.... Power steering fluid, have you ever checked it? No....

Got to thinking, oil seemed really thin, what oil are you using? "5w-30"....

I honestly do not know how the thing was running, the fuel filter was horid, ran finger over it and black crud/slime on my finger. Wish that pic had came out, but my phone isnt the greatest on pics. Opened up the power steering tank, wasnt even touching the dipstick, asked him how his brakes were, "kind of soft, almost to floor"....

the truck has 227k on it, he got it with 100k roughly, nothing except oil changes had been done in 127k.

Well, off to the parts store, did all of the above mentioned maintenance. Oil/filter, Fuel filter, air filter, tranny flush/filter, power steering flush(this looked like paste coming out, what little there was), then cleaned DSS sensor and replaced. Also pulled the intercooler tubes and cleaned as well as a full cleaning of the entire engine.

12 hours and $300 later, his truck was running so good he couldn't believe the difference, full brake pedal, solid shifts, air and fuel getting to cylinders, a regular miracle in the shop.

Still have to do antifreeze and the axles on his, but that was all the budget allowed this month.

All that said, I am very impressed at the torture these trucks can take. now that mine is all fully caught up on maintenance, hoping it will last me 20 years or more. Well, i guess I will have to start the mods next, I see new air box, 4 inch exaust, and guages in my future

thanks for the help and support all, Tom

PS: just placed my first order with ed as well!

 

I wonder what kind of mileage he will get now?

 

Way to go Tom. And I bet that guy will never come on FTE to learn something about his truck.

Let the mods begin.

 

Funny you mentioned the mileage, he did a 300 mile trip this weekend to install some carpet for his aunt, called me when he got home and was ready to have a party, still had right at half a tank of fuel. Apparently 300 miles was about the range of the truck before last week.

And you are correct, we wont ever see him here on FTE, he doesn't own a computer, and didnt even know how to scroll the window for FTE on my laptop in the shop, unfortunately some are just not computer savvy at all. But at least he knows there is help out there now, and nothing is insurmountable with some good advice and a little sweat.

 

There are people out there like that. I have a friend who owns a 2005 6.0. His EGR went out on his truck a couple of weeks ago. While his truck was in the shop my mechanic asked him how long it has been since the air filter, fuel filter had been changed. He told him that they had not been changed since he has owned the truck. I think he has owned it for about three years now. I thought that he had enough since to check things that are so easy to check. I am going to have to slap some since into him. LOL I did give him a hard time though.

 

Gentlemen I am looking at purchasing a diesel pickup. Never owned a diesel before but very interested. I am currently looking at a 99 F350 and a 96 F350. What can I look for to be wrong with the 7.3L's.

 

Nice story Tom. Of course now you look like the best diesel mechanic in 3 counties to your buddy. Amazing what kind of knowledge you can pick up here at FTE, isn't it?

Welcome to FTE Strip. My opinion is the first thing you should do is remove the lid off the air filter box and check the inside of the tube going back to the turbo for any signs of dirt or debris. Also check to make sure all the clips and tabs on the airbox are intact and working properly. If the air intake looks good, check the items mentioned in this link https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

 

I suppose it did make me look like I half knew what I was doing, but on the flip side, I had my laptop powered up in the garage the whole time, wireless networks are nice And of course i had 5 FTE tabs open for reference, and the occasional search had to be performed.

I have always done my own maintenance, but on gassers, nothing even close to what these trucks are. is absolutely no way i would be where i am now on diving into diesels without FTE.

that said, I tossed it out there in a previous thread today, but anyone blazing down I90 in Mt from FTE has a place to park an RV, stop over for a night, or use of a shop here at my little 13 acre paradise, thanks all. Not sure if yall have a formal place to post that or not, but take it for what it is.

Tom

 

We have something called the Roadside Help Network. Click on the RHN link in my signature and you can look into more there. It's basically a bunch of us volunteering what you are. A friendly face and point of contact along the way if someone happens to be traveling through our area.

And I don't think it really matters how much time you spent looking at the computer. You were able to perform miracles on your buddy's truck and he is amazed with the results. Compared to him, you're a diesel genius. Sometimes being smart only involves knowing how to find the answer.

 

Chris,

Thanks for pointing me to the RHN link, will get that rolling tomorrow, forgot my VPN key to get to my "real" email tonight.

Thanks, Tom

 

Holy Crap!!!!

 

Dayam!! Pull the intake tube off and inspect the turbo wheel. I'm betting it was sucking a bunch of dirt around that clogged up brick of a filter.

 

You rock! If it's a 4x4, don't forget the transfer case fluid.

 

I did pull everything off and look at the wheel, its a little silver around the tips, but really no worse looking than mine. reached in and pushed a little to make sure the bearings were tight, which they were amazingly.

Good point on the 4x4, will have to do his xfer case when we do his axles and anti freeze next month, broke the bank for this month on him.

 

Looks as bad as mine did...