Reliability of new 7.3L engine and idling
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 648
From: NH
Reliability of new 7.3L engine and idling
Currently looking to replace some fleet trucks (F550 with service body / crane) with new ones. Our current vehicles have 6.7L diesels in them and are 2016 model year steel body trucks. They don’t get a ton of miles but they do idle a lot. The diesels have been mostly fine. Looking to get the gas in the new trucks. Same deal, not many miles but plenty of idling. Are the 7.3’s sorted out now?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 52
It seems like idling is still a problem based on what I see on social media on ANY pushrod engine these days with ultra low zinc oils. The 6.6 Cummins have been eating camshafts since the roller lifter change in 2019 if idled, the 6.6 L8T are chewing up lifters and rings when idled, and well we know the 7.3 does as well. The 6.4 Hemi has always had hydraulic lifter issues so don’t even need to address that one. Not sure how the new 6.7 PS and 6.6 Dmax handle idling but Cummins is having major issues with high idle time. I’d imagine the newer Powerstrokes will suffer the same fate as the 6.6 L8T and 7.3 Godzilla with high idle time.
Change your oil based on hours and try to limit it. Idling anything with today’s thin zinc free oils is wreaking havoc on it.
Change your oil based on hours and try to limit it. Idling anything with today’s thin zinc free oils is wreaking havoc on it.
Last edited by FordExpy486; May 17, 2026 at 05:41 PM.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 115
Likes: 77
I’m thinking part of why they included the Forged Crankshaft & overbuilt other aspects like 6-bolt cross drilled mains etc is due to ProPower OnBoard 2kW since they recommend using the truck as a generator, the owners manual effectively advocates long duration idle.
Last edited by maxGasser; May 17, 2026 at 05:58 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 1,110
That's funny.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 52
automatically blow it up, just saying there’s a trend with ALL these hydraulic lifters based pushrod engines….
Last edited by FordExpy486; May 17, 2026 at 09:03 PM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 648
From: NH
The 6.2 has a conventional gerotor oil pump as stated, and has micro hydraulic lifters at the end of the rocker arms. The 7.3 also has lifters below the pushrods. The problem is too low oil pressure at idle with a warm engine. Ford needs to increase idle oil pressure. A thicker oil would also likely help alleviate the problem.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,910
Likes: 2,635
From: The Great State of Texas
This is what I've been suspecting been going on. I know the chinese will sustitute substandard raw materials if you don't monitor them.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 52
No we have not. Idle psi on a Chevy 350 or 454 was 35-40 psi, today it’s 10-15 psi. Small block and big block chevys were fed zinc supplemented oil and had flat tappet camshafts. Today all the zinc is removed from the oils and they are running less than half the oil pressure.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 748
Likes: 29
From: North Carolina
Prepare yourselves for what I'm about to say.....but I mix 50/50 with Valvoline VR1 10w30, and any name brand 5w40 I can get on sale. I don't have emissions inspections, or visual inspections , so if my cats crap out one day...I'll probably just hollow them out and run emulators for the oxygen sensor inputs, an drive it until the wheels fall off...
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,910
Likes: 2,635
From: The Great State of Texas
No we have not. Idle psi on a Chevy 350 or 454 was 35-40 psi, today it’s 10-15 psi. Small block and big block chevys were fed zinc supplemented oil and had flat tappet camshafts. Today all the zinc is removed from the oils and they are running less than half the oil pressure.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 52
1300-1500 PPM ZDDP was typical until mid 90’s, today’s oils all have 500-700 PPM ZDDP. The reduction started in 1995. If you have a flat tappet you need to put in Zinc supplement in to even give the engine a fighting chance at survival. Today’s oil will kill an old OHV flat tappet small block or big block in short order.
The 454 in my boat from 1995 is flat tappet cam, and I need to put ZDDP in as an add to my oil every year. That’s straight from Mercury Marine. Failing to do so will wipe the cam out and destroy the entire engine in 50 or so hours. Today’s engines are trying to make do with rather junky oil if you really think about it, it’s a miracle they last as long as they do. It’s like taking a foam topper off your hard mattress, everything’s making more metal/metal contact and stress. Unfortunately you cannot put ZDPP in as an add though as it destroys the new catalytic converters.
The 454 in my boat from 1995 is flat tappet cam, and I need to put ZDDP in as an add to my oil every year. That’s straight from Mercury Marine. Failing to do so will wipe the cam out and destroy the entire engine in 50 or so hours. Today’s engines are trying to make do with rather junky oil if you really think about it, it’s a miracle they last as long as they do. It’s like taking a foam topper off your hard mattress, everything’s making more metal/metal contact and stress. Unfortunately you cannot put ZDPP in as an add though as it destroys the new catalytic converters.
Last edited by FordExpy486; May 18, 2026 at 10:58 AM.