2003 7.3 powerstroke leaking oil again

[Bill_C]

Unfortunately, I've found the dealers to be rather poor at diagnosing problems. IMHO they are largely just "parts changers"...a car comes in with some sort of problem, their manual just tells them to "change part X and charge them $Y". There's a big difference between "parts changers" and true "mechanics". Real mechanics will take a few minutes to methodically find out the problem.

The ONLY remedy (in my opinion) is to become a mechanic yourself. At current dealer rates, I can buy an awful lot of tools (and keep them) for the price of one dealer repair, when I do the work myself. Plus, I usually do the job right.

There's two good forums with lots of helpful info on our 7.3 Powerstrokes. Try www.thedieselsite.com as well as PowerstrokeNation.com ....Also go here Diesel Technician Society and download all of the articles on the 7.3 Powerstroke, starting with the 94 to 98 models (that'll give you an introduction to these motors, then the others show the changes on later years). I know, they're huge files, but quite a wealth of info...free.

 

[gengine]

Unfortunately, I've found the dealers to be rather poor at diagnosing problems. IMHO they are largely just "parts changers"...a car comes in with some sort of problem, their manual just tells them to "change part X and charge them $Y". There's a big difference between "parts changers" and true "mechanics". Real mechanics will take a few minutes to methodically find out the problem.

The ONLY remedy (in my opinion) is to become a mechanic yourself. At current dealer rates, I can buy an awful lot of tools (and keep them) for the price of one dealer repair, when I do the work myself. Plus, I usually do the job right.

There's two good forums with lots of helpful info on our 7.3 Powerstrokes. Try www.thedieselsite.com as well as PowerstrokeNation.com ....Also go here Diesel Technician Society and download all of the articles on the 7.3 Powerstroke, starting with the 94 to 98 models (that'll give you an introduction to these motors, then the others show the changes on later years). I know, they're huge files, but quite a wealth of info...free.

Try telling my wife I can buy a lot of tools for the cost of one repair! I'd have a lot to play with after replacing my clutch!

 

[Bill_C]

I'm fixing to upgrade my clutch and replace the dual-mass flywheel with a solid flywheel and South Bend Con OFE clutch. The clutch/flywheel will cost $900 plus tax or shipping; I bought the transmission jack for $105 at Harbor Freight. While I'm there I will replace the up-pipe donuts for $10.

By comparison, I've seen folks post that a stock clutch replacement at the dealer was in the $1700 to $2300 range.

 

[Highbeam]

Come on Bill, put in the bellowed up pipes from international and elminate the donut leaks forever.

 

[Dadsgreenpsd]

Check the plug on the rear bottom drivers side plug of the high pressure oil pump. They will sometimes come loose. Unfortunately, this usually entails replacement of the hpop. Been there, done that. But, it was a pretty drastic leak.

I, personally, won't have my truck at a dealer. I will, if forced, take it to an international dealer. They are much more familiar with the engine.

Also, check ford-trucks.com and go to the forums, then scroll down to the 99-03 section. There is a vendor who hangs out there who sells nothing but diesel o-rings. They are also a great source of further information.

I second the bellowed up pipe recommendation, even though that solution is expensive. Permanent fix, however.....

 

[Chuck K.]

First thing is that you don't have a high pressure oil line to the turbo. At the turbo base there are O-ring seals connecting the turbo to castings, the oil comes up and goes back down through these castings. No oil line to the turbo. There are high pressure oil lines that connect to the heads but not the turbo.

Took the words out of my mouth...

 

[Bill_C]

Come on Bill, put in the bellowed up pipes from international and elminate the donut leaks forever.

I wish I could afford them, I've got the old body style (OBS) and the bellowed up-pipes are $900. Ouch!!

 

[Highbeam]

Ouch! I wouldn't do it either then. The 99-2003 bellowed pipes are about half that much and I still wouldn't do it. Good luck with that clutch, I wish I had the 6 speed.

 

[ddivinia]

I have a 2003 Ford Powerstroke diesel that is leaking oil from the high pressure oil line off of the turbo again. I have been plagued with this problem for three years. I have took my truck to the Ford Dealership the past two times and they said that they had fixed this issue. I paid the warranty deductible both times proir to this one. NOw for the third time i contacted ford and well, I was told that i need to have it inspected again and i would be charged for the inspection and I would still have to pay to have this fixed AGAIN. The money is not the issue. My issue here is that why am i having to pay to have this "fixed" when in fact it has not been fixed? No one at Ford has even tried to assist me in making this right. I also started looking into Ford Customer Care on the internet and well there were very few good reviews compered to their bad ones. One of my friends who is a mechanic already diagnosed my problem for me and even when I explained this to Ford and what the problem is they acted like they didn't care. Other than having my friend fix the issue for me is there anything else I can do? Again my truck is a 2003 with only 85000 miles on it.

I feel your pain. I have a 2001 7.3 that had issues from day one. Oil leaks, glow plugs, water pump, brake line, etc. When the automatic trans shelled out on my at 50K miles i figured it was time for something different. Ford hosed me on some warranty stuff and I refused to buy another one. I went with a Dodge Ram 3500 - 70K miles so far and not a problem. With the status of the industry - I guess I should plan on driving my Ram for a very long time or start looking at Fords again.

I am convinced I got a dud. My Brother has a 2001 F-350 with the 7.3 - no real problems except the cam sensor.

D.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I guess I should plan on driving my Ram for a very long time or start looking at Fords again.

I am convinced I got a dud. My Brother has a 2001 F-350 with the 7.3 - no real problems except the cam sensor.

D.

I believe you had a Dud. I had the same thing happen to me with my one and only GM Truck. Could not keep it together, including the Dmax everyone ranted and raved about. Walked less than 2 years later and lost my butt. Went to the supposedly awful 6.0 Ford and have not had a single issue. I now own two and they have only been in the shop once between the two of them and 65,000 miles. I had a 7.3 4x4 long bed and with the exception of the cam sensor it was never in the shop a day. I did do the normal maintenance stuff like put ball joints in it, brakes, changed the fluids, but it ran until a deer took it out at around 120,000 miles. I never even had a problem with the auto tranny which was supposed to be a weak point.

I also hear you on buying Fords. They done a lot of good for themselves by not needing a bail out in the public's eyes. I know they have had their issues but if they can stay strong I am sure they will shine at the end of all this..

I will not give another single cent to GM. I already pay enough in taxes and did not want to be in the car business but Obama wants all too, so we all are now partial owners. Government Motors will survive but I am sure many feel the same way I do. When the one GM product I have dies or I can sell it I will wash my hands of them for good.

Chris