hey guys...... i drive a 2001 F-250 7.3L powerstroke, here is my problem. on the drive back i smelt something burning, i do have a small leak on my power steering hard line coming from my booster so i figured it wasnt anything bad. the drive home was only 4 miles and i wasnt hauling anything but i realized after i had got home that i had left an oil trail coming down my driveway. now i went to CATERPILLAR diesel tech school and know my way around a diesel engine, however, i am the least familiar with the powerstroke family of motors. the leak is coming from the back of the block and is leaking enough to completely coat my bellhousing and frame rails. my intuition (and a HOPEFUL guess) is that it is the oil cooler line for my turbo. are there any other major components back there that could leak, crossing my fingers its not the actual turbo housing itself, OR a blown head gasket although it wouldnt leak that bad!!!!!

appreciate any of your guy's input!!!!

you can also email me at

mdalbertson87@yahoo.com

 

welcome to FTE.Did you take a look under the hood yet?

 

Usually leaks that big come from the HPOP system. Usually from a leaking line or a fitting either at the heads or on the pump. A leak that big will probably be easier to spot. Crank the truck, and look under the hood and see if you can find the leak. Just make sure you have oil first. If it's a leak from the HPOP system, you'll dump 2+ gallons of oil in minutes, even at idle.

On edit: If you aren't that familiar with the 7.3L PSD's... the HPOP sits in the engine valley directly under the fuel filter bowl. You'll see two hoses coming out of the driver's side of the pump, and each hose attaches to the oil rails at each head. Start at those hose fittings at the HPOP and those lines and check them first.

 

thanks for both of those guys......... i did pop the hood and crawl up in their tonight....... seems to be coming directly from the pump area/bottom of the turbo...... called the ford mechanic that i know and he said more than likely its the HPOP system, he was leaning more towards the turbo though but i will DEFINITELY take a look at those connections to......appreciate it guys, any other suggestions gladly taken!!!!

 

well i have the intake tubes and everything disconnected now....... took 2 hours with only wrenches(NO SOCKETS)!!!!! LOL........ have a new dilemna...... the back side exhaust clamp(for the downpipes) will NOT come off...... the perch is disconnected and everything but i cannot seem to get the back clamp off...... any tricks or tips to crackin it.....much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Mitch

 

Lots of PB Blaster. Let it soak. After that, you can very gently pry the clamp with a screwdriver to pop it loose.

And I don't know how you disconnected everything with just wrenches

 

LOL redneck habit...........

gotta make do with what i got..... ill take pics of the tools i used so everyone can see how bad i got it out here at the ranch!!!!!!

and im pretty sure its the perch...... there is no oil under the hpop and fuel system.... but everything is wet under the perch and turbo and when i said it was leaking all over, the entire valley between the heads is FULL, about 2 inches of oil so im not to happy about that but....... what can you do but fix it and go out and break something else! part of being a truck owner i guess.......

now i tried long prybar screwdrivers and a hammer and tapped on it but that clamp is so damn tight on there all i did was dent up my clamp so ill try the PB and call my mechanic friend and have him come over and bring some beer so we are completely ready to fix this beast. CHEERS!

 

Did you get it fixed? Cause my is leaking but not at an idle only when I drive it so not sue where to start?