Opinions on durability of the 7.3 ford diesel

[Westside88]

I recently became aware of a 7.3 equipped crew cab that is availble. My understanding is that it's just under 200k for mileage. I've always heard these engines can go many thousands of miles. Any thoughts on what could be expected of one that hasn't been abused? I only drive a truck about 5k miles a year, so something like this could potentially last me a long time. I do all my own work, I currently have 200k on my 460 and I'd drive it anywhere. Any advice or experience is appreciated

[scotsman]

Are there any maintenance records? Ya sure diesels will go for hundreds of thousands of miles but are sensitive to oil quality.  Carbon builds up more rapidly in diesel crankcase oil than gas engines so should be changed on schedule.

[Woodchuck]

7.3 is historically one of the most dependable pickup engines out there. They are somewhat known for some injector issues but with good oil maintenance most of that can be averted. If it is auto trans that would be the "weakest" point. Those trucks do like to eat some ball joints but that is not engine related.

[Westside88]

I just learned about it so I don't yet know about maintenance records. My Dad told me it is supposed to have a new transmission. I'm pretty comfortable assessing most parts of a truck, but I'm not as experienced with Diesel engines. So far I've been told this era of truck is know to go through transmissions in the 75-100k range and that water pumps are fairly frequent. I've also been told to
Be aware of leaky injectors.

[huntnphool]

 I've got two, with one in the 430k range. As with any vehicle, it's how you take care of it. Nothing but good things to say about both of them, the weak point on them were the brakes, the factory rotors were completely inadequate. Once changed to heavier duty disks they have been great.

 I tow a 22' boat with mine a lot and had one transmission rebuilt at 400+k, again it's how you maintain it.

[jackelope]

Agree with what's been said. I will add that unless you have at least some degree of specialized tools, you won't be able to do all of your own work on the diesel engine.

[Kittman]

One recommendation- I would get yourself a DCA4 coolant test strip kit, they are inexpensive, and perform a check of the coolant before forking over any significant funds for the vehicle.  That and the tranny is about the only things to worry about. 

[luckyman]

I have 250k on my trans. Its been hot, blew the front seal and puked the fluid out a couple times but still working.
I don't think the trans is all that weak but does get hot.
If it drives nice I wouldn't shy a way from it.

[MagKarl]

7.3 is very well known, if you are good with internet forums you can figure most stuff out, it's all been done before.  A multi-meter is essential for diagnosis of electrical/sensor related problems. 

[LDennis24]

I've got a 99 superduty, crewcab, six speed with 220,000. I bought it used with 190,000 on it. It needs some front end work, bushing's, oil seal's, dust seals in the housing etc... but the motor runs great still and has plenty of power. It has trouble starting when its the slightest bit cold, under 50 degrees, not sure why. It's a long bed so it needs a little driveline work. The manual tranny will outlast the auto by far. Auto tranny's need rebuilt every 50,000-60,000 miles on superduty's with the 7.3l. If you go longer it could cost you. I've never met anyone who owns an automatic that hasn't had tranny issues. What year is it and is it manual?

[Westside88]

It's a 99 with an automatic. I've been told it's new, but I need to verify

[huntnphool]

Auto tranny's need rebuilt every 50,000-60,000 miles on superduty's with the 7.3l. If you go longer it could cost you. I've never met anyone who owns an automatic that hasn't had tranny issues. What year is it and is it manual?

 I've never had transmission issues.

 And as far as the auto needing to be rebuilt every 50-60k........hogwash!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Auto tranny's need rebuilt every 50,000-60,000 miles on superduty's with the 7.3l. If you go longer it could cost you. I've never met anyone who owns an automatic that hasn't had tranny issues. What year is it and is it manual?

 I've never had transmission issues.

 And as far as the auto needing to be rebuilt every 50-60k........hogwash!

Yep maintenance on most any auto tranny and they di go a long ways.

[huntnphool]

 At 200k there are going to be some things to check on it. With the change to low sulphur, the water drain o-ring on the fuel bowl, as well as the other o-rings on the bowl tend to dry more quickly and crack, leading to fuel leaks into the valley. Easy fix but will need to be addressed. http://www.dieselorings.com/1999-2003-ford-7-3l/fuel-bowl-parts/fuel-bowl-reseal-kit-1999-2003.html

 Are the glow plugs original? If so its time to swap them.

 I'd consider changing the injectors as well at some point in the near future, OEM types can be found at places like http://www.thoroughbreddiesel.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%28roi%29+branded&utm_content=thoroughbred+diesel&utm_term=thoroughbred%20diesel where I got mine. Great people to deal with and good prices.

 While doing the injectors you will want to replace the injector/glow plug harness under the valve cover, as well as the valve cover gaskets. Easy job and not expensive.

 As with other vehicles with 200k, there will be other little things to look at as well, one would be to watch the tach at idle. Does it have a tiny surge or tiny drop all the time, this is generally a bad ICP sensor, another easy fix but just one more little thing to add up.

[jackelope]

At 200k there are going to be some things to check on it. With the change to low sulphur, the water drain o-ring on the fuel bowl, as well as the other o-rings on the bowl tend to dry more quickly and crack, leading to fuel leaks into the valley. Easy fix but will need to be addressed. http://www.dieselorings.com/1999-2003-ford-7-3l/fuel-bowl-parts/fuel-bowl-reseal-kit-1999-2003.html

 Are the glow plugs original? If so its time to swap them.

 I'd consider changing the injectors as well at some point in the near future, OEM types can be found at places like http://www.thoroughbreddiesel.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%28roi%29+branded&utm_content=thoroughbred+diesel&utm_term=thoroughbred%20diesel where I got mine. Great people to deal with and good prices.

 While doing the injectors you will want to replace the injector/glow plug harness under the valve cover, as well as the valve cover gaskets. Easy job and not expensive.

As with other vehicles with 200k, there will be other little things to look at as well, one would be to watch the tach at idle. Does it have a tiny surge or tiny drop all the time, this is generally a bad ICP sensor, another easy fix but just one more little thing to add up.

Not a bad idea to do the harnesses and v/c gaskets while doing the glow plugs also.

[syoungs]

I drove mine 10k miles with a broken piston, didn't realize it was that, thought I had a bad injector. It's got a new motor going in itnow, though I could have just put a piston and rings in the old one I'm sure.

Injectors and trannies are the 2 big $$ items, I wouldn't do it any other way though, love tge motor and the truck.

[whitey]

My 2001 super duty has 230,000 and no signs of it getting weak. Love the truck

[whitey]

here it is my little baby

[bhawley76]

240,000 on my 97 f 350 7.3 automatic. Great truck wouldn't think twice about getting another   

[huntnphool]

At 200k there are going to be some things to check on it. With the change to low sulphur, the water drain o-ring on the fuel bowl, as well as the other o-rings on the bowl tend to dry more quickly and crack, leading to fuel leaks into the valley. Easy fix but will need to be addressed. http://www.dieselorings.com/1999-2003-ford-7-3l/fuel-bowl-parts/fuel-bowl-reseal-kit-1999-2003.html

 Are the glow plugs original? If so its time to swap them.

 I'd consider changing the injectors as well at some point in the near future, OEM types can be found at places like http://www.thoroughbreddiesel.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%28roi%29+branded&utm_content=thoroughbred+diesel&utm_term=thoroughbred%20diesel where I got mine. Great people to deal with and good prices.

 While doing the injectors you will want to replace the injector/glow plug harness under the valve cover, as well as the valve cover gaskets. Easy job and not expensive.

As with other vehicles with 200k, there will be other little things to look at as well, one would be to watch the tach at idle. Does it have a tiny surge or tiny drop all the time, this is generally a bad ICP sensor, another easy fix but just one more little thing to add up.

Not a bad idea to do the harnesses and v/c gaskets while doing the glow plugs also.

 That's what I meant.........."while you're in there" type of things.

[LDennis24]

Auto tranny's need rebuilt every 50,000-60,000 miles on superduty's with the 7.3l. If you go longer it could cost you. I've never met anyone who owns an automatic that hasn't had tranny issues. What year is it and is it manual?

 I've never had transmission issues.

 And as far as the auto needing to be rebuilt every 50-60k........hogwash!

Just relaying info I was given by several owners who probably don't do regular maintenance. I even read about it online. Tranny's going out at 70,000-80,000. Had a farmer tell me his tranny went out, asked him how many miles. He said 78,000. Sounds pretty common to me.  With regular maintenance any piece of equipment should last that's common sense. Drive it and listen to the turbo as well. Again I was told this by several people who have built and driven these 7.3l diesel's for a long time. I shopped for one that had everything I wanted for over a year and read everything I could about them before I bought mine.

[Westside88]

I know what turbos sound like, is there a tell tale bad sound? Or just listening for a "bad" sound like bearings going out etc?

[JJB11B]

7.3 is historically one of the most dependable pickup engines out there. They are somewhat known for some injector issues but with good oil maintenance most of that can be averted. If it is auto trans that would be the "weakest" point. Those trucks do like to eat some ball joints but that is not engine related.

This guy knows his stuff

[2labs]

I've got a 99 superduty, crewcab, six speed with 220,000. I bought it used with 190,000 on it. It needs some front end work, bushing's, oil seal's, dust seals in the housing etc... but the motor runs great still and has plenty of power. It has trouble starting when its the slightest bit cold, under 50 degrees, not sure why. It's a long bed so it needs a little driveline work. The manual tranny will outlast the auto by far. Auto tranny's need rebuilt every 50,000-60,000 miles on superduty's with the 7.3l. If you go longer it could cost you. I've never met anyone who owns an automatic that hasn't had tranny issues. What year is it and is it manual?

I have a late 99 with 250 k on it has BD transmission kit and torque converter, no problems. Motor still strong. Replaced glow plug relay. Needs glow plugs! Summer job.

[LDennis24]

Just the tell tale worn out sounds, look in the turbo if ya can and see that it's clean, should have a little oil but nothing grainy. Check the fins and see if they look worn like an old fan blade. I guess turbo rebuilds can suck. I haven't had to do one yet. I think I'll go aftermarket when the time comes. If the fins are worn it means the guy didn't even change the air filter enough so the motor might not be any better.

[Buzz2401]

I think you might be disappointed with the power output of a stock 7.3L they are kinda dogs as far as a diesel goes.  Most new half ton pickups are close to the same amount of torque.  But you can add a few aftermarket parts to squeeze alot of power out of them.

[baker5150]

The tranny issues are usually due to maintenance and aftermarket parts.  A lot of guys think they can plug in a programmer and haul a 12k 5er over Stevens at 80mph with no issues. Just rolling coal with no care in the world until the burn the thing up. 

[fillthefreezer]

maybe i should have had 'phool do my tranny maintenance.  2003, bought it new. full flush at 15k. again at 30k. tranny grenaded at 42k. put a BTS in it, been good on that end since. my truck ate alot of alternators, is hard on springs, shocks and u joints. the starter bolts often back out too. other than that, its been very trouble free for the last 12 years

[bhawley76]

That rig with a handful of upgrades will run with ANY new truck out there hands down. The tranny is the weak link. But a oversize cooler and a aftermarket aluminum pan (B&M) 10quart. problem solved.

[JJB11B]

That rig with a handful of upgrades will run with ANY new truck out there hands down. The tranny is the weak link. But a oversize cooler and a aftermarket aluminum pan (B&M) 10quart. problem solved.

and a high speed electric fan

[Westside88]

Thanks for the insight and advice everyone. I'm hoping to take a look this weekend, it's hard to get any daylight this time of year

[syoungs]

Just the tell tale worn out sounds, look in the turbo if ya can and see that it's clean, should have a little oil but nothing grainy. Check the fins and see if they look worn like an old fan blade. I guess turbo rebuilds can suck. I haven't had to do one yet. I think I'll go aftermarket when the time comes. If the fins are worn it means the guy didn't even change the air filter enough so the motor might not be any better.

Actually a pretty easy, cheap, job. As long as you can turn some wrenches, but A 38r, some tunes and some 160/30% injectors really really wakes these trucks up!

[Labs07]

I have had mine for a long time, its an 01 and have 146000 on it.  Tranny went bad at about 110000 and replaced and then the OEM seals blew so replaced them with aftermarket seals and no issues sense. 

[Westside88]

Thanks everyone for the input. I always appreciate hearing real world advice from people who likely use their things in a similar way that I plan to.

[huntnphool]

Thanks everyone for the input. I always appreciate hearing real world advice from people who likely use their things in a similar way that I plan to.

 If you buy it and need help diagnosing/fixing things just send a PM and il help with what I can.

[Sandberm]

Neighbor has one. He got 170k miles out of the stock transmission, bought a new transmission from Ford and got 170k out of that one. Then he put in a fancy one from some aftermarket company back east and only got 30k out of that one.