Heads up for Ford 7.3 diesel owners

Beeman · #1 07/13/10, 07:23 AM

I worked an a F-250 with a 7.3 and it had what is obviously a common failure that I think could be avoided. On the rt. side of the oil pan is a bung that the oil dipstick tube goes thru. It has a large nut on it that evidently loosens up from vibrations which allows oil to leak out. It's a bit of a pain to repair as the nut backs off and warps and will not retighted as it's cast from junk. There's also on O-ring seal on the INSIDE of the oil pan that becomes damaged when the nut loosens. I would say that checking/tightening the nut every oil change will possibly help prevent this common problem.

ninny · #2 07/13/10, 08:15 AM

Another common problem on the earlier 7.3 engines was the cam position sensor causing problems. I had a 7.3 and got rid of it, too many problems.

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ErinP · #3 07/13/10, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

Another common problem on the earlier 7.3 engines was the cam position sensor causing problems. I had a 7.3 and got rid of it, too many problems.

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I've known a number of people who carried an extra CPS in the glovebox because of this.
Ford issued a recall for it about a year or two ago. (Only 12 years after it was known as a problem!)

MaveRick* · #4 07/13/10, 09:52 AM

I have an E-450 with a 7.3 turbo diesel that has had one problem after another. It started with the high pressure oil lines blowing out. I am now having problems trying to find the correct size starter. My roommate (a certified diesel mechanic) is also telling me that the turbo unit isn't working. That's the reason that I didn't have enough power to get over even small hills when carrying a load.

ErinP · #5 07/14/10, 08:11 AM

How many miles does it have on it?

Our F250 has 220K and is still running strong.
A CPS, while annoying, is fairly easy to replace. We've never needed to though. Just took it in for the recall. Otherwise, we've had basic maintenance: water pump, starter, batteries, etc.

Now the 6.0 that replaced the 7.3.... That was a motor riddled with problems!
The 7.3 is often regarded as one of the strongest small diesel motors ever made.

ecbreed · #6 07/14/10, 09:39 AM

I have a Excursion with the 6.0. It has over 100,000 miles. I have to say since I bought it in 2004 It has only been in the shop twice. Once was for a starter and the second time was for a serpintine belt. Other than that all I have done to it is prretty routine. I had to do some front end work, tires, but other than that the truck has been great.

ErinP · #7 07/14/10, 09:48 AM

Yep, there are always exceptions.
But the 6.0 was a lemon. Ask any used vehicle dealer. After he knows he can't sell it to you, that is. lol

oz in SC V2.0 · #8 07/14/10, 12:02 PM

ALMOST makes me glad to have a Dodge with the Cummins....

Except at this very minute it is sitting at the dealership waiting on an injection pump.

Something that Chrysler AND Cummins knew had problems from almost the very beginning...but it is only a $1000+ part so whats the big deal.

Of course when I get it back it will have almost everything replaced in the fuel system except the injectors.

DamnearaFarm · #9 07/14/10, 12:08 PM

I wish we still had our 7.3.....totalled it in NM on ice on Christmas Eve, on the interstate. I miss that truck. over 300,000 on it and other than replacing the clutch and a high pressure fuel line, no issues. Now he's got a cummins. It's okay. But it's not the Ford.
Sad when even the Ford dealers warn you away from the 6.0, huh?

bbbuddy · #10 07/14/10, 12:18 PM

One of our 7.3s has well over 500,000 miles on it, never even heard of a cam position sensor..

ninny · #11 07/14/10, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbuddy

One of our 7.3s has well over 500,000 miles on it, never even heard of a cam position sensor..

Google is your friend....

"Ford Recall 1997-2003 7.3L Power Stroke-Camshaft Position Sensor
WASHINGTON - Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it is recalling 1.17 million trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans to fix an engine sensor that could lead to engine stalling.
The recalled vehicles are all from the 1997-2003 model years with 7.3 liter diesel engines, including the Ford E-Series van, Excursion full-size sport utility vehicle, and F-450 Super Duty and F-550 Super Duty trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site that the camshaft position sensor located on the engine could function intermittently and lead to an engine stall and potential crash.

The sensor is an electrical component that helps regulate the fuel going into the engine.

Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis said there have been 14 accidents associated with the problem, but no injuries reported.

In the event of an engine stall, Jarvis said drivers traveling at speeds greater than 30 miles per hour would have full power steering and power braking, allowing them to pull over to the side of the road.

At speeds below 30 mph, the motorists would still have braking and steering functions, he said.

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ErinP · #12 07/14/10, 01:54 PM

And really, the only thing they do for the recall was replace the CPS.

It can still go out again.
I have a friend who replaced his five times!

longrider · #13 07/14/10, 08:32 PM

The 97's had a number of problems with them. The 04's had problems too. Both years the 7.3 got some modifications that caused problems because of tinkering with the engineering from the Ford labs.

the 98-03 7.3's generally were the best diesel engine Ford made. The automatic tranny was junk all along though. Standard shift was solid as a rock.

Darren · #14 07/14/10, 09:13 PM

Up until 97 the 6.9 and 7.3 International engines used a mechanical injection pump. Early ones had some injection pump issues. After that they were solid. Of course a diesel rated at 26,000 GVW in a light duty truck rated for far less meant the engine was loafing. Some owners thought the engine was a dog. That was usually an internal timing issue in the injection pump. When the timing was dead on, the engine was a strong puller all the way to 85mph depending on the rear end ratio.

International used the same engine (T444), rated at less horsepower, in their own trucks. As part of the agreement International would not allow Ford to use the engine in a medium duty engine. They reserved that for themselves.

DamnearaFarm · #15 07/14/10, 09:34 PM

The 7.3 wasn't made in 04. The last year they were produced was 03 and it was only for part of the year.
We had our CPS replaced by a friend who also has a few 7.3s... he carries a few CPS's in his truck :0)

ROCKIN R FARM · #16 07/14/10, 11:12 PM

I've had two 7.3's traded the first one in on the second to go from extended cab to a crew cab both trucks were pulling monsters got pretty good mileage for a one ton 4x4.
replaced a water pump on the first one at 150k and had to rebuild the tranny in the second one at 125k and replaced the cam sensor when the recall came out. but overall great trucks and I make them work pretty hard.