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View Full Version : Question about ford 7.3L diesel Qs....



YeLLowBoaT
03-25-2006, 08:34 PM
I have been looking at the the earily to mid 90s f 250s 4x4 as my "new" truck.
I have seen a few of them with the 7.3 in them...
Is it a good motor? reliable? good on milage?
I know the gas powered ones are hard to kill, but I have not heard anything on the diesels.
Thanks

HTRDLNCN
03-25-2006, 11:40 PM
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=170

Warlockjer
03-26-2006, 06:07 AM
Good thread. I was told when looking to go for the later 90s with the inter cooler. I sure like the 7.3.

Sherpa
03-26-2006, 07:43 AM
I have a 1990 with the 7.3..... mines a 4x4, e40d automatic, with an extended
cab. blue on white. bone stock. has a dent in the pass side of the bed.
I want a new truck..... this one's for sale..........
I've had no issues with the motor..... I had to have the trans rebuilt at about
132k on it........ truck now has like 180k on it........
--Sherpa

Flying Tiger
03-26-2006, 10:55 AM
We had 70 of them in our fleet, and have been replaced with '05's.
If you buy one with the air compressor option, remove it.
You''ll wish you did when it breaks loose and catastropically (is that a word??) removes your other engine accessories, fan, radiator,, ac coil,,,
ect ect,,,
Other than that,, not too bad.

Waist Deep
03-26-2006, 06:20 PM
I've got a 2000 crew cab with a 7.3 for sale. With a intercooler

redneckcharlie
03-26-2006, 07:21 PM
i've had several of the 7.3's. you defenitely want to get one with the intercooler. the only issues that i had with the 7.3's consistently was the crank triggers. occassionally a glow plug relay would go out as well. glow plugs and the harnesses usually have to be replaced around the hundred thousand mile to hundred and twenty thousand mile range. same with the waterpumps. same mileage range. alternators can be an issue as well. if your going to lift them, and use large tires, ie. 35's and above, the front wheel bearing hubs will have to be changed about every sixty to seventy thousand miles. i run thirty sevens, and change mine consistently at about thirty five thousand miles.

YeLLowBoaT
03-26-2006, 07:56 PM
I've got a 2000 crew cab with a 7.3 for sale. With a intercooler
long bed A/c??
if so how much?

blown428fe
03-26-2006, 08:24 PM
I have been looking at the the earily to mid 90s f 250s 4x4 as my "new" truck.
I have seen a few of them with the 7.3 in them...
Is it a good motor? reliable? good on milage?
I know the gas powered ones are hard to kill, but I have not heard anything on the diesels.
Thanks
The 7.3s are good motors, Im pushing 200,000 on my 95 and she runs mint. Heres a pic.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2344Picture_004-med.jpg

HTRDLNCN
03-26-2006, 09:05 PM
96 F250 here,, close to 270K miles, non intercooled, no problems ,, I use it for towing and work.
Unless you want a race truck there is nothing wrong with the non intercooled ones.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12459&stc=1

HMF'er
03-27-2006, 05:43 PM
I have a 2003 7.3 Powerstroke, the last year they offered that engine. Its a bit louder and less powerful than the 6.0, but I think it has proven to be more reliable. The few times I have taken it to the dealer for service (not on the engine) the service adjuster has told me I was very lucky to not have the 6.0. I have been told this more than once.

502 JET
03-27-2006, 06:50 PM
Where I work we have about 30 Fords that date back to around 89 7.3L and up to the 02 powerstroke turbos.The worst problems we have are the automatic transmissions.We have only changed one engine since 89 in these trucks.We go thru alot of glowplugs and controllers and batteries.We have changed some fuel lift pumps but have had no problems with the injection pumps.We also run belt driven hydrolic pumps and have had problems with them loosing belts and taking out the other belts.On the newer trucks with serpintine belt the idler pullies and spring tensioners go bad and cause them to throw the belts.We have an 89 7.3 that has over 350,000 on it and still going strong.If it is maintained well they will still run strong forever when the rest of the truck rusts away.

Sotally Tober
03-27-2006, 10:36 PM
Mine is a 99' with 90k on it. I still love it. This last weekend was the first time I ever had to work on the motor. I had to put a $60 sensor in it Cam Position Sensor. Sound like I have some other things that might come up. It runs very strong and pulls like a mother. The banks kit really helps for pulling my 12k boat/trailer. I would definatly stick with an IDI Powerstroke for pulling weight. We have had the older ones and realize the power with the new ones. The trans. is a different beast. Lost first at 30k. 2nd one is still in the truck. Added more cooling and a deep pan. Now it holds 6 gallons of ATF. Never gets over 140. I would definatly by another 7.3. We also have 2 6.0's which have had numerous little things go wrong with them. Good Luck!

BOOGEYMAN
03-27-2006, 11:35 PM
Sotally Tober's ride is also damn quick for a big ass truck!!

Riomouse911
03-28-2006, 05:37 AM
My '99 PSD 7.3 has 130k on it, zero engine, tranny or electrical problems to date. Change oil every 5k and add Prolong every change. Replaced front brakes at 85k, rears at 120k. Tows my Layton travel trailer or Nautique 210 without straining at all, and even with lift and 33"s didn't need re-gearing. If you can find a 99-00 in good shape, take it. Most mechanics say the engine is good for 350k with a bit of preventative maintenance.
I think Ford tried to squeeze too much out of the 6.0 (364 cu in) engine, and it hurt reliability. That's why we drive diesels, they're supposed to be bulletproof. We'll see if the '06-'07 twin turbo I have been hearing about rectifies the 6.0 problems, or just makes folks even more angry that the 7.3 (444 cu in) is gone.

CBadDad
04-14-2006, 01:33 PM
I have an '02 Excursion with the 7.3 PSD and I love it. I have no intention of ever getting rid of this rig as a tow vehicle. Simple 4" suspension lift w/35" BFG T/A's and airbags in the rear, also have electric trailer brake.. Actually seems to drive better when towing.
The altenator died at only 16K miles while on a hunting trip in Wyoming, but the dealer had me back on the road in a couple of hours. I changed the front pads and turned the rotors at around 50k miles, otherwise it's been all smooth sailing.
I've heard of tranny problems with trucks with these motors, but haven't seen it first hand. Thank God I opted for the 100K mile warranty.
My friends with the newer 6.0, simply hate 'em.
YMMV

bchbum
05-14-2006, 06:21 AM
I'm buying a 2000 ford f 250 crew cab 4x4 diesel Monday from a co-workers dad . It has 89,000 miles ,so far no problems as long as I have known him . He needs the $ for his trucking co so , I'm getting it for $15,000 . The truck is completely stock :cool:

BOBALOO
05-14-2006, 09:25 PM
My work truck is a 2002 F-250 with the 7.3 and I get consistent mileage in the 12.3 to 13 mpg range. It is a 2wd reg cab but has a utility bed on it and a ladder rack. I also drive at about 75 mph when possible.
I have 170000 miles on it and have only had to replace the cam sensor twice, and the brakes twice. Cam sensor goes out about every 70k miles in our fleet also.
Some of the other trucks in our fleet have had the same maintenance and have needed trannys between 80k and 120k miles. Ford truck enthusiasts.com or diesel stop.com are two great sites for info on fords.
I would have no problems buying a 7.3 but would NOT buy a truck that had the early 6.0.

jeepman
05-17-2006, 08:32 AM
2000 F250, 7.3 4x4.
I puchased it with 28K miles. It now has 105K. It's lifted 6" and runs 37's. I've had the gears changed to 4.11's. I have replaced the brakes, and the drivers side wheel bearing assembly at around 70K miles. The passenger side is still on the factory bearing assembly. I am waiting on it to go out anyday now.
I also think I may have an issue with the glow plug relay...it was pretty hard to start on some of the cold days this winter. I'll worry about that when it starts getting cold again. Other than that...zero problems. (knock on wood).

Timmybuilt
05-29-2006, 09:58 PM
I have been looking at the the earily to mid 90s f 250s 4x4 as my "new" truck.
I have seen a few of them with the 7.3 in them...
Is it a good motor? reliable? good on milage?
I know the gas powered ones are hard to kill, but I have not heard anything on the diesels.
Thanks
The powerstroke 7.3 did not start until 1995. Before that it was a 7.3 but not a powerstroke and did not get a turbo until 1994. It sounds like the powerstroke has better power, economy, and reliability. But this is all hearsay (I've also been looking for a tow rig) and I've never had a diesel. Before you buy check the blue book value at www.kbb.com, they also have owner reviews on most vehicles.