Hey guys name is Nick and I have been lurking here for a bit while I have been looking for a truck.

Well I am in the market for a f250. I have been looking for a 7.3 2002-2003 with a 6 speed. By and act of god I actually have found one near me. One owner 162,000 miles extended cab for $13,000. I have a couple pictures of it and it seems to be in pretty good shape. I did notice that there is some oil buildup around the bellhousing. Is this a normal area or should I be looking to replacing it?
Is anyone able to give me some insight from a VIN? 1FTNX21F62EB29883
I checked the autocheck and carfax it looks clean. It is a long bed, but I cannot get everything I guess. I know having a cc with a long bed makes day to day driving a bit of a pain. Is it the same with an extended cab or is the long bed in a extended cab a shorter truck than a crew cab?






I have also found a 2004 f250 with the 6.0 with 110,000 miles on it for 14,000. body and interior look to be in great shape but there is no way to tell about the engine. I have read horror stories about the 6.0 so I am very reluctant to look at it. An Oasis report shows that it has not really had much done under warranty but it makes me wonder if a turbo and injectors is needing to be done.


My goal with this truck is to have something I can tow loads to and from North Dakota throughout the year. What would you guys do? I know the 7.3 is a great engine but some of the pictures make me worried. Am I being too picky? I am planning on driving this truck until the body falls apart around the engine or until the engine dies so I am really trying to make sure I get what I want and not overlooking anything. What say the Gurus of FTE?

Thanks

Nick

 

That may be something as simple as a leaking turbo pedistal causing the oil to drain from the valley, down rear of the block and subsequently on to the bell housing. That would be my first thing to check. That fix could be as simple as replacing the o-rings on the turbo pedistal. If I'm wrong, someone will be along shortly to correct me or offer more insight. Hope that helps.

Oh, and welcome to FTE!!! Lots of great info and outstanding folks on here.

 

It could just be old residue from a leak that is now fixed. Crawl up under the hood with a flashlight and shine around the center of the engine looking for wet spots... there shouldn't be any. Click here for more easy to do pre-purchase checks.

 

Mine had oil back there when I first got it (60k on it) from simply the stock CCV pushing oil fumes through IC piping & out the boots. VERY common. Any oil leak up top will make its way to the rear of the engine and down around the bell housing. Not really a big cause for alarm.

 

Here is a link to buying a used PSD..... buying guide:

1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel Used Truck Buyers Guide .: Articles

 

I'd say that engine looks pretty good! Looks like the top has been cleaned, but you'll find the real deal in the "V" of the engine top as has been suggested. That oil looks barely "damp", for that number of miles, I wouldn't even let that be a consideration. Even most of the "leaks" that can be found on top are readily correctable with new O-rings.

How does it run? Check the coolant for contamination, check the oil for contamination. How does it shift? Is the clutch pretty easy to depress, or HARD as a rock? When your underway and shift, can you easily shift into and out of gear? Just a few things that come to mind, Looks like you may have a good find there.

 

Thanks guys. I will be checking it out first hand this weekend so I will get back to you. I am looking forward to getting a truck so I need to make sure I am not rushing into anything and overlooking something that should be a deal breaker.

Am I wrong for thinking about the 6.0?

And the wheelbase for the extended long bed vs cc long bed? I assuming the cc is longer.

Thanks

 

That looks like a decent truck.
Once you get used to that CC long bed you won't want anything less.

 

A long bed extended cab is the same length as a crew cab short bed, I think.

 

Welcome to FTE !

Where's the pics of the leak?

That looks pretty damn clean for 162 k.

When you get a real leak,you'll know it.

Post up some pics of whichever one you get.

 

Thanks again. Had a very disappointing moment just a second ago....I called a friend with a 7.3 to see if he would come with me. I told him were it was and he says that it is only 5 minutes from his house..........which is 5 hours from my house. I thought it was in the next town over with a similar name haha. Oh well looks like I will be takinga trip friday to see it.

 

Is that soot or oil on the fire wall by the down pipe?

Maybe someone more experienced than me can tell?

Mine had an accumulation like that (maybe not quite as bad) when i got it. looks a lot better after i cleaned it. i still have a leak (probably pedestal or EBPV) but it's not leaving spots on my driveway yet so i'm not too concerned.

 

I don't think its exact but real close.
Nick, I would avoid the early 6.0's like the plague.

 

Stay away from that 6.0. Everyone else seems to have it covered with regards to what to look for and the oil leak issue.

 

the extended cab lwb is just a tad longer than a cc swb.
good luck on the hunt i looked a 25 trucks before i found the one i wonted so dont jump in to fast there are a lot of trucks out there just what for the one you love.
welcome to FTE