Powerstroke 7.3 opinions

Wannabitawerm · 09-07-2011, 02:13 PM

Ford guys, chime in here. What's your opinion on the 7.3 deisel. Considering purchasing a truck and want to know a few things. It seems much noisier than a 6.0. Is that normal? Any persistent problems? Thank for any input.

Ain't technology great? Now I can be distracted by fishing everywhere I go!

boatnut · 09-07-2011, 02:31 PM

I'm on my 2nd 7.3 truck. Only issues I have had has been to replace the cam sensor which was covered under recall. 211K on current one ('02 model) and still going strong. My neighbor bought my '96 and he's not had any issues and he's got well north of 250K on it. I've heard that the 7.3 is more desirable then the 6.0 as less problems.

BassMaster19 · 09-07-2011, 02:34 PM

the 6.0's had TONS of problems. Id never buy a 6.0 power stroke. The 7.3's are pretty much bulletproof and last forever! They are pretty loud motors, but that is normal. Just research the 6.0 on Google and you will see what i mean. Cant go wrong with a 7.3.

UFM82 · 09-07-2011, 03:17 PM

As a Ford techback in the early 90's. The 6.9L diesels were replaced by the 7.3L beasts and it was a much better engine. The 7.3 (non-turbo'd) were great powerplants- very durable, easy to work on and simple. The powerstrokes came out about the time I left the field but they were even better- lots of power and torque. The 7.3 was replaced by the 6.0L engine and major changes were made. Fuel injection was controlled by oil pressure and prolonging oil changes could make the engine run bad as viscosity dropped. Plenty of fuel system issues and it was a NIGHTMARE to get to stuff. The 7.3s were a great engine but were noisy- it was due to the injection system and was not as precise as the 6.0L but was much simpler. Injection pump ran off the cam gear and could not get out of time. The pump itself pressurized the fuel and the injectors were mechanical pop-off style injectors. Very simple. There was very little electronic stuff on the 7.3L engine. You could have the engine completely "unplugged" and it would run. I worked on them for 4 years before I left the field. Every Ford F450 wrecker truck out there ran that engine and they were pretty much bulletproof as mentioned above. Unless you beat them mercilessly they would keep coming back for more. The only drawback was the alternator set-up with the dual batteries which couldn't be helped. If you had an alternator issue, it was very expensive to buy that beast of an alternator.
If you ever get the chance to look at the guts of a 7.3, prepare to be impressed. The block bosses, main caps, etc were all MASSIVE. It was no wonder they held up so well- they were tanks. I still have friends that tow with them today.
The only downside? Fuel economy wasn't fantastic but was respectable.

Reel Bad Habit · 09-07-2011, 03:39 PM

200,000 miles and not a problem on my '99 F-250 4x4. I expect another 200,000.

yknotfrank · 09-07-2011, 04:06 PM

I just turned 353,000 on my 2000 and it keeps running strong.

I have replaced two cam sensors and an oil pan and a couple clutches, but it tows the Sportcraft back and forth to Lake Ontario without problem. Set the cruise at 65 and go.

The bed is starting to look ratty, but I haven't found anything to replace this truck yet. Now I hear that the new 6.7s are crap. The OPP Marine Unit has an f450 with a 6.7 and they love it.

I will stick with what I have for a little while longer.

yknotfrank

PapawSmith · 09-07-2011, 04:20 PM

I believe they are awesome, Sam. I've had five of them, all F-350's, since 1993 and they all had at least 275,000 miles on them when I traded them in. The ONLY problem of significance on ANY of those trucks was an automatic tranny problem on a 93' model, but that was obviously not a motor issue, but an unfortunate common cheap tranny parts issue. I have a 2001 sitting in my driveway now with 440,000 on it and it goes out of town to job sites regularly without worry. We just last year had the injectors rebuilt, for the first time, at about 375,000 cause we trust it. Our Son is driving his 01' with about 200k on it. I was pissed when they replaced these motors. I bought a 6.0L in 06' and sold it after one year, never had a good feel about it. I just got a 6.7, we'll see how it does but they can't build them any better than the 7.3 IMO.

I Fish · 09-07-2011, 04:36 PM

I've never had, and don't think I ever heard one complaint about them. I'm on my 3rd. Sold one, and lost one to a fire. Added together, I've put 800,000+ miles on them, and never a problem. There are some out there with 1 million miles and still going. IMO, losing the 7.3 to the EPA regs should be grounds for dissolving the EPA. Do a search for 7.3 powerstroke forums, you'll find people do indeed like them.

Wannabitawerm · 09-07-2011, 08:23 PM

Thanks for the input. I am looking into a 99 f350 crew cab with 200k on it. I know for a deisel that isn't really a lot of miles especially for the 7.3. My main concern were drivetrain issues but it ran solid, shifted nice, and has almost no body issues. I'll post pics if I get it.

Ain't technology great? Now I can be distracted by fishing everywhere I go!

Team Pursuit · 09-08-2011, 07:11 AM

im a cummins guy my self but if your going with ford definetly get the 7.3 a good buddy of mine has a 99 with 350k on it. he has never had any major problems with motor. the 7.3 is the most desirable of the powerstrokes. 200k is nothing on a deisel

wajski · 09-08-2011, 08:23 AM

I have both, 1985 f350/7.3 2006 f350 4x4 6.0 The 85 is used for around the farm vech (no tags) still runs good. The2006 I don't drive a lot, the turbo carbons up, I use seafoam every third tank of fuel, you have to run the crap out of it. I like the 6.0, has more power than I can use. I can pull any thing I want to AND stop it. Imho both good trucks

Wannabitawerm · 09-08-2011, 12:08 PM

Watched some tech videos on the 7.3 and the 6.0. Very interesting stuff. Come to find out that the 6.0 is a good motor, it's ourhigh sulfur diesel that ruins it. Still feel better about the 7.3.

Ain't technology great? Now I can be distracted by fishing everywhere I go!

5Cent · 09-08-2011, 12:38 PM

Go with the 7.3. Stay away from the 6.0 and 6.4.

Hopefully Ford is back in the diesel game with the new 6.7.

center pin daddy · 09-08-2011, 04:03 PM

I am the Sales Manager at a Ford Truck dealership and have been selling Fords since 1993. I am going to give you my honest opinion on all four of the Powerstroke diesels.

Starting with the 7.3 turbo diesel. Pretty much bullet proof as was already mentioned. Cam sensor seems to go bad often. Many guys carry a spare in the glove box. We are starting to see a few with broken crankshafts around 300,000 miles. These broken cranks were mostly on commercial vehicles. Overall would rate the motor very high---we sell every one we get on trade in a matter of days.

6.0 turbo diesel. This is a flat out hotrod diesel. Yes there were many problems with the turbos and injectors. 2003's ran the strongest. Lots of calibration changes on the 2004. I personally would stay away from an 04. 2005's, 06's, and 07's had many of the problems ironed out and are not too bad. They were also de-tuned a little.

The biggest thing we see with the 6.0 is they don't stand up to serious abuse. Almost everybody who puts a chip in one or uses aftermarket filters ends up having problems. Our service department now knows how to work on them and we do a service special in which we put bigger bolts in the heads and do some EGR, turbo, and injector work for about $1500 that really seems to have ''bullet proofed'' this motor. I currently drive one for a demo and it pulls my boat with no problem. Overall a good motor with a bad reputation because of the early model years.

6.4 twin turbo diesel. Not as many gremlins as the 6.0, but terrible fuel mileage thanks to the EPA. This was when the EPA mandated diesel particulate filters in the exhaust. When ash residue starts to clog the exhaust filter the motor has to run extra hard to burn out the ash(regeneration)which kills your fuel mileage. Another negative with this motor is the cab of the truck needs too be lifted off the frame to work on this motor. Overall not as many problems as the 6.0, but also the least desirable of the four diesels.

6.7 turbo diesel. This is the first diesel to be made by Ford. The other three were all made by International. So far all I can say about this motor is WOW! Ford has really done their homework with this motor and in my opinion has the chance to rival the 7.3

First off there is a diesel exhaust fluid tank in addition to the regular fuel tank. The purpose of this is that the fuel pre-mixes with the DEF going into the motor which burns way cleaner. Cleaner means less regeneration and way better fuel mileage. I have previous customers getting 22.5 mpg highway in F250 crew cab 4x4's. The DEF tank holds about five gallons and needs to be filled about every 7,500 miles. I know the jury is still out with this motor, but we are going into the second model year with relatively very few if any issues. This motor is so quiet that some people think it is a gas engine. I guess technology keeps improving just like outboards and fish finders. Overall might be the best Powerstroke ever.

powerstrokin73 · 09-09-2011, 12:31 PM

I've got 230k on my '01. motor and most of the drivetrain is still OE. (original driveshat U-joints, water pump, and alt.) I have it tuned up to 400+ hp @ the crank, never had a problem with the motor and don't expect to. fuel milage is great, getting 18-25mpg empty. I love mine and I suggest either a 7.3 or the new 6.7 which an amazing machine! 6.0's are good if you tear them down and do a bunch of upgrades. Good luck!

MuskieManOhio · 11-16-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5Cent

Go with the 7.3. Stay away from the 6.0 and 6.4.

Hopefully Ford is back in the diesel game with the new 6.7.

They never left the diesel game in my opinion lol

JPH · 03-02-2012, 07:46 AM

Worst thing i ever did was sell my 99 F350 7.3L back in 2006 with 200K to my best friend. He still has it, the ol girl is pushing 350K. He runs her every day including plowing back home in Minnesota... the engine is gonna outlst the truck.

My oly solace is I get to see the ol girl in aprl when he comes down to shoot some thunder chickens.

dirtyone55 · 04-09-2012, 06:14 PM

IMO, you can not go wrong with the 7.3. Stay away from early 6.0.

JIG · 04-11-2012, 07:59 PM

Been a Ford guy for 30 yrs and 6 months ago went and got the 6.7L but it wasnt in a Ford. Buying a truck is like banking money and with the $$ of a new one it better be good. Cummins always had good stuff as did Ford. Fords 6.6L in-line was a great motor so why a v-8? If they wanted a deisel motor from IH then they should have went with the DT's. In-line motors are where its at and Dodge has come a long way.

downtime8763 · 06-13-2012, 08:02 PM

The truck (package car) when I retired from UPS in 2010 was new in 1996(7.3) on had over 500,000 and is now probably pushing 600. Had a major oil leak 10+ yrs ago in the upper left front above filter,other than that that motor ran great as we always drove the to say the least not easy. I however kept the mechanics informed if something didn't sound or look wright so I avoided some issues before they might have had to hold it for some thing later. I'm a firm be leaver in pre and post tripping a vehicle and continue it today as well as the safety methods I learned over 37yrs with the company.