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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Texas
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Hi all, just bought a '97 350 DRW supercab with the 7.3. This is one of the most impressive trucks I have ever driven. Although I was assured the vehicle was maintained well, and only has 100k miles on it, I had some issues with it already. After trolling the site for a few hours, I tied it down to the old broke down fuel heater problem. I disconnected it and she started right up, so thanks all.
Other than a mildly serious looking oil leak underneath, I haven't seen anything else to worry about it's mechanical condition. I pulled a 4k lb gooseneck 600 miles over the weekend and it was almost like it wasn't there, however I was dumping oil like crazy while engine was running. When it's off, it just drips the residual oil off the bottom of the block/pan/trans. Any thoughts? Also, what other issues are common to the age of the engine? Thanks.
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'97 F350 DRW 7.3 PSD
Other than a mildly serious looking oil leak underneath, I haven't seen anything else to worry about it's mechanical condition. I pulled a 4k lb gooseneck 600 miles over the weekend and it was almost like it wasn't there, however I was dumping oil like crazy while engine was running. When it's off, it just drips the residual oil off the bottom of the block/pan/trans. Any thoughts? Also, what other issues are common to the age of the engine? Thanks.
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'97 F350 DRW 7.3 PSD
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,231
Likes: 130
From: Thomasville, GA
if it's dripping from the driver side under the exhaust manifold it's probably the oil cooler. It's a long cylinder running from the front of the engine block back to the oil filter. The oil filter screws onto it.
It has 4 o-rings inside that go bad after some time, I just had to fix mine a few weeks ago.
It has 4 o-rings inside that go bad after some time, I just had to fix mine a few weeks ago.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 17
From: Gambrills
WELCOME TO FTE!!! Rick knows a little more about the oil coolers....but I can help identify where it is, if that indeed what it is.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
These guys have most of the oil leak issues covered. As stated, clean things up and trace the leak down. Most of the time it comes from on top of the motor and will cost you a dollar or so for o-rings.
Welcome to FTE. If you think you're impressed with the truck now, spend some time here. A little of this and a little of that and you'll be wondering why anyone would drive anything else.
Welcome to FTE. If you think you're impressed with the truck now, spend some time here. A little of this and a little of that and you'll be wondering why anyone would drive anything else.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Well, this stuff's caked on there pretty well, it mixed with some Oklahoma (where I bought it, go A&M) red mud and formed a really thick coating. What do you guys recommend as the best way to clean it off? I cracked the block on my diesel Mercedes by driving it to a DIY carwash and spraying down the engine there, I really don't want to throw away another vehicle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Best way to clean it in my opinion is on a warm engine NOT HOT WARM! Soak it down with HOT water and then a degreaser like purple power or simple green. Let it soak for 20 minutes or so then with a hose nozzle use SOME pressure from a regular garden hose and hose it down. You might have to do this a few times to get the cake off. Also brake cleaner makes for a good pretreat if its really thick.
PS- your clothes washer is the best place to get hot water to your hose. just hook up to the hot water there and run your hose outside.
PS- your clothes washer is the best place to get hot water to your hose. just hook up to the hot water there and run your hose outside.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Well, I cannot see any place on the top of the block or around the valve covers that is leaking oil, in fact, there really isn't any oil up top, it's all on the drivetrain and undercarriage. The valley was fine, only had a small amount of fuel in it, prolly from when i checked the filter and didn't tighten it down enough.
Drivers side valve cover
Passenger side, nice and dry. Nice new GPR too.
Oil pan and starter, passenger side.
Flywheel cover, it was dripping an oily/gassy mix, draining from valley???
Trans
Back of trans, exhaust before cat conv.
As you can see from the pics, what is caked on behind the oil pan is relatively dry, but around the oil pan is wet and loose. Also, looking up at it, there is like a 1.5 - 2 inch "bleed in" of the oil above the gasket onto the block. Is it possible that the gasket just crapped out? Did the '97's use a poly or paper gasket?
Drivers side valve cover
Passenger side, nice and dry. Nice new GPR too.
Oil pan and starter, passenger side.
Flywheel cover, it was dripping an oily/gassy mix, draining from valley???
Trans
Back of trans, exhaust before cat conv.
As you can see from the pics, what is caked on behind the oil pan is relatively dry, but around the oil pan is wet and loose. Also, looking up at it, there is like a 1.5 - 2 inch "bleed in" of the oil above the gasket onto the block. Is it possible that the gasket just crapped out? Did the '97's use a poly or paper gasket?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
The oil pans use a very good silicone seal. The oil leak you have could be the dispstick bulkhead fitting just above the starter. Might be loose or might need a few o-ring but be careful as it can fall into the oil pan and never come out with pulling the engine to pull the oil pan.
