97 power stroke question

[75johndeere]

So I'm not trying to start a ford Chevy debate I'm looking at a 97 7.3 and besides the miles which it's 260000 what do I need to check out on this truck it looks really clean has new glow plugs and two new battery's runs like a camp and has plenty of power turbo feels good still oh and the price is right at 3500 bucks just want to know from people who have owned one if there is anything I should look for.

[Woodchuck]

Ask if injectors have been done. 

[wildmanoutdoors]

Manual or Auto?
If its an auto ask if its been rebuilt.
How much towing has the truck done?

Mine has 274000 and its on its 4th tranny. Im a hard tower though. And towed many, many miles with heavy loads.

On top of the transmition is a breather. You can see it from under. Its small and looks like a small mushroom. If its coated with or appears to have dripped fluid out its likely been overheated. (The tranny)

This is your big item!

If the intake vally has fuel in it puddled, its likely it needs a lift pump. Ask if its been replaced. There about 400+

Ask if the water pumps been replaced, there 400+

Ask when the vacume pump was replaced. This is an easy fix and about 140. Done about every 90000 miles.

Suggest you carry a 10mm wrench and learn to remove and replace the belt with your tire iron. When the vac pump goes. you will know. Your brakes will be like stopping a tank. Can be dangerous...I know! Lol

Your front drive shaft is servicable. It needs grease to survive. Many dont know this. If you put it in 4x4 and feel and hear a wobble, its likely the front shaft joints are dried out and bad.

And if you do get it and need engine parts look to a Int/Husky dealer. They have the parts much cheaper!

Mines a 95 and I love it! Will never get rid of it.

[Cap.Silver]

Ask if injectors have been done. 

they can cost you almost the same if not more than the truck cost  ( because if you in there already you should do wire harness,glo plugs) .

[wildmanoutdoors]

With 274000 I still havent had to do injectors. But harnesses are due for sure I think now. Glow plugs were replaced not long ago.

[poopooheaddad]

Wildman nailed it,,,,,I have a 97 and just love it 180k miles and going strong, replaced glow plugs, fuel filter, serpentine belt, when my vac um pump went out I first started feeling it when backing up, blew 1 trany on Chinook pass (have to take it out of overdrive when pulling the hills duh) cam sensor goes out easy fix,,,,suggest egt monitor big time trany saver........great truck

[75johndeere]

Thanks guys
Its a auto been rebuilt like 100k ago but it still shifts good there isn't a leak under it he pressure washed the undercarriage and I crawled under it a week later no oil anywhere. I don't know if injectors where done or not the guy I'm getting it from picked it up cheap because it needed a new driver fender and door and he had matching ones so he really doesn't know the history of the truck
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

[kisfish]

I have the 99 7.3 , I love it.

[coachcw]

There's a good boost valve update for the trans will make it ive longer and only cost a couple hundred bucks . injector harnesses ie valve cover gaskets are a common problem and should be checked or replaced . again cam sensors are common but only run fourtyor so bucks .