I just bought a 2002 7.3 not too long ago, and just check the oil on it since the guy i bought it from said he had changed it a couple thousand miles ago, and it was 2 quarts low. I dont know if he had just not put enough in or what,im gonna keep an eye on it to see if it burns. It only has 30,000 miles so im assuming it shouldnt. If he did only put enough in to get it 2 quarts under the bottom mark on the dipstick put and ran it for a couple thousand miles, will it hurt anything major in the motor? im new to the diesel world and any input would help alot thanks

 

Be sure and check your HPOP reservoir. That's under the Powerstroke cover and has an allen head plug. It should be 3/4 or an inch from the top. It uses the same oil and is very critical to the operation of your truck. You'll find that out as you go along reading these forums. As a matter of fact, you should probably change the oil and filter, considering what's at stake and that you don't really know the condition of everything.

 

Reading "not too long ago" and "a couple of thousand miles ago" I'd suggest you go ahead and change the oil so you know where you stand. Then you can determine if you're burning any oil beyond acceptable limits.

Don't worry about running it a couple of quarts low. You didn't hurt anything.

 

These trucks/engines and very reliable and usually don't burn too much oil.
I would def check the oil dipstick flange for leaks. They develop when the O-ring dries out.
Now that you just did an oil change, installed 15 quarts(with filter change).

On our engines, you will see a little oil under the engine that is actually dripping from the valley on top. there is a drain at back of valley that lets anything drain down. fuel from fuel bowl or oil from heads/HPOP

good luck!

 

F250TruckR,

I also have a 2002 F350/7.3 with 90,000 miles on it and it has been a great truck. With your 2002, 30,000 miles is very low and with these 7.3's that is hardly broken in. I agree with BobbyDiesel71, these engines usually do not burn oil but will sometimes have a leak. My 2002 used to have a slow drip at the oil pan bolt and it used to cause me to add a quart or two between changes. I now have the Fumoto oil drain valve and no more drips from the oil pan. If you use a good 15w40 rated diesel oil and a Motorcraft oil filter like I do, and change the oil and filter when required these engines will last a long time. It's also important to keep the maintance up on the fuel filter and air filter as well. I upgraded my air filter to the AIS and installed a MBRP exhaust a few years back. MY truck breaths and runs better and gave the fuel milage a slight boost. Good luck with your truck, it should last a long time.

 

These trucks have a fail safe (caugh) to not 'burn it up/destroy your engine' when running low on oil. the injectors need oil pressure to open up and get fuel to the engine. If the oil level is too low (about 8qts) there will not be enough pressure to run the truck. If it gets that low and the truck will not run...

If it does run it will be so bad that every nightmare that you can think of will go through your mind.


just .... change the oil and filters.....

worry for the next 30,000 miles that you destroyed your baby......

then go on with your life.... it will be fine.

(just check your oil more often..and slow down any leaks that you have)

 

i figured it was no big deal, just changed oil and fuel filter and everything seems just fine. thanks alot guys for the quick and helpful responses!