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QwkTrip 11sec Club
Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 3942 Location: Peoria, IL
1989 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 7:57 am Post subject: |
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jchaussee wrote: | Ya. I will do fuel filter also. What other maintenance issues should beaddressed. Unfortunately my uncle did not keep up on things as he should. He buys a new truck every six or so years, so he doesnt care to much to bother with matianance. |
There isn't a lot of maintenance to do on a 7.3L. Clean oil, clean air, and clean fuel. That's about it. Oil will keep getting forced into air cleaner so the air cleaner will get nasty oily and then everything will stick to the oil. Check the air cleaner every few months. There are problems that will occur on an engine with that many miles. Some common things are,
- The injector harness is probably brittle and can break. The harness is under valve covers.
- The EBP (exhaust back pressure) sensor and tube might be clogged up with soot. Engine will run better if it is clean.
- The exhaust up-pipes to the turbo are probably leaking, like almost every 7.3L. Effects turbo spool up and performance. Most people don't even realize the up-pipe is leaking.
- The turbo wheel blades are probably worn out from years of particles hitting the blades. A new blade might perk up low RPM performance. "Wicked Wheel" is commonly used.
- Intercooler fills up with oil. Take out the intercooler to drain it and you might be shocked how much oil comes out. Power will go up when the intercooler can actually do its job.
- CPS sensor might fail at any moment and engine will immediately quit running. Always keep a spare in the glove box.
- Quite a bit of air gets into the fuel system from the fuel tank. Some people like to do a fuel tank mod to reduce air in fuel. That will quiet down the engine a bit and might run a tad smoother.
I wouldn't run a tuner chip with that engine unless you do a mild economy tune from DP Tuner. A chip needs exhaust, intake, and exhaust temp gauge or you risk overheating and ruining the engine. And a 7.3L can't really make much power on a stock turbo anyway. Just leave it stock. If you want to hot rod a diesel then get a Chevy or Dodge. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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86 bucks for supplies for oil change. Wow |
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Kage87Z Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 436 Location: 12 Second Club
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I own a 99 F350 Powerstroke dually for the last 3 years or so... it's got around 88K.
The following problems are/were present.
Shifter cable housing broke at the transmission end.
Shifter bushings wore out on the column.
Water comes up to the dash board from underneath the windshield on the passenger side.
My speedometer stops working in warm to hot weather. The ABS light/brake lights on the dash come on and the "overdrive" light on the shifter handle blinks.
I have no idea outside the dealer where to take it to get it looked at for that.
Those things can happen all at once, individually, or not at all. It's completely random and to date has made no discernible difference as to how the truck runs.
I use it to make trash runs every now and then and to tow my trailer/car to PIR.
I paid 12.5 for it with a clean carfax.
For a truck, the interior is fine. We put in a stock ford radio/CD combo that bolted right up and works fine. The seats are comfortable enough for me and the wife.
That said, I'd recommend it to others... but my next truck is likely to be a Dodge diesel. _________________ "Are you guys ready? Let's roll."
Todd Beamer - 9/11
Never Forget
My 69's story: http://myspace.com/69camaro454
My 87 Z/28's tale of woah... http://myspace.com/87Zcamaro383 |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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I don't plan to ad chip because I have realized that the 7.3 is made to tow, not hotrod. It is a pig off the line. But as far as this up pipe, can you explain where its at and what to do to check it and fix it, also this tank mod. Link of it maybe? |
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QwkTrip 11sec Club
Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 3942 Location: Peoria, IL
1989 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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The up-pipe is the piece of exhaust pipe located between the cast iron exhaust manifold and the turbocharger. There is an up-pipe on both sides of the engine. The pipe loses seal at the joint and/or cracks. The fix is to replace it with a flexible bellows style pipe from the 7.3L engine used in International farm tractors. You have to buy it from an International parts dealer. It is an expensive and labor intensive fix so you probably don't want to do it unless it is causing real problems.
Fuel tank mod http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/hutch.php
If you're going to own a Superduty then you will want to join the forums at www.fordtrucks.com Many of the Superduty owners are pretty smart and know their trucks. Most the F150 owners are dumb as rocks. Interesting contrast. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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I am on a forum called powerstroke nation, bit it is not that active. Not like thirdgen.org or this one. Asked a question over a week ago and still waiting for help. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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And I did find that guzzle guy. Also used it to figure out about fuel filter. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone local know how to cha.he ball joints. I may need some help |
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Twilightoptics Hardcore (12sec Club)
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 9191 Location: Auburn , WA
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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Rent a ball joint press. _________________ A redline a day keeps the carbon away! |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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I saw on wheeler dealers where ed used a picece of all thread with a washer and a nut. Anybody ever try that method |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Doesn't look to bad. From other threads I read guys were willing to pay 700 to have it done. Thought was way worse. |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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jchaussee wrote: | a picece of all thread with a washer and a nut |
To do what?
This is the tool and technique in question:
BTW, you will also need a special socket to remove the axle nut. The size and style (pin, hex, ect.) varies from year and model. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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Ya. I remember that from omy old Chevy. Hub removal tool? |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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The althred worked same way ad press. As you tightened nut it pressed bushing out |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:31 pm Post subject: |
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Still not sure how you'd get the first one out with the all-thread. Second one I can see.
Free rental beats Tacoma Screw acme all thread regardless.
Please do not underestimate this job. It looks easy on paper but bear in mind that something like "remove balljoint nuts, then remove knuckle" can take an hour, especially for a shade-tree guy.
The last time I did one of these I seem to remember the guy paying like four or five hundred for it. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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Oh I am not underestimating time frame. It will prob take me a weekend off and on , but the skill level doesn't seem to be as complicated as some were making it. I have done ball joints and hubs on different vehicles in the past. But the older I get, the more anal I also get about how it is done. |
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IROCDave Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2010 Posts: 957 Location: Snohomish WA
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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Lol, there's alot of super duty love flowing on this thread. Then the " things to watch out for and fix" posts. Man I find that funny. I have 155K on my 03 duramax, havent had to fix any of the issues that Fords best Deisel engine has as common problems. I'm knocking on wood as injectors are the weak link on early Dmaxes and they arent cheap to replace. Other than fluid changes the only thing I have had to replace on my truck were both front hubs. GM used the same hub / front wheel bearing for all HD's. Under engineered.
I would take a 01- ? Dmax over any same year Superduty. Superduty has been living on reputation since the late 90's hence the sales errosion ever since. |
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Twilightoptics Hardcore (12sec Club)
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 9191 Location: Auburn , WA
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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Injectors in a dirtymax fail from contaminates. Change fuel filter everytime oil is changed and use quality fuel. _________________ A redline a day keeps the carbon away! |
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Alphius Peanut
Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 2429 Location: Grand Mound
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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My boss has an '06 D-max 4wd and just had two injectors changed out at just under 90k miles. He does his fuel filter every other oil change and changes his oil about every 5k. So far I've done both front hubs on his truck too. And rear axle seals. He had a 4wd range switch go out too, fixed at the dealer. Aside from that he says it has been very reliable.
Between GM, Dodge and Ford I'd go D-Max any day. _________________ 84 Camaro Z28 - LS1/T56
85 Silverado - Low and Slow |
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