Hey everyone, first time posting here. I’m about to pick up a Super Duty with a 7.3 Powerstroke and only 120k miles. It’s a bit of a beater, but it runs and drives well, plus it’s 4x4. I feel like I got a steal for $2k, and I’m working off the payment. It’s been sitting for a while, so it needs some suspension work and a power steering line. I’d drive it without power steering, but it’s a heavy truck and has hydroboost, so the brakes are rough.
I am also looking for future ideas on exhaust systems and switch tuners, though that’s for down the road. Any advice or tips for a first-time diesel owner would be appreciated.
That is a great truck, and I think the price is reasonable. That said, start by addressing what you know is wrong and, as you’re doing now, ask about potential future issues. My truck had a leak in the power steering line that needed replacing. It’s also good to have IPR, ICP, and cam position sensors on hand. When you take out the fuel bowl for the IPR, consider replacing the O-rings, glow plugs, valve cover gasket, and wire harness as well. I replaced parts as they failed and have had my 7.3 since it had 210,000 miles; now it’s at 270,000. I also helped a friend upgrade his 7.3, and he’s happy with it. Feel free to message me with any questions; I’m not a mechanic, but I’m a fan of these trucks and want to keep as many of them on the road as possible.
I am hoping it will be a reliable work truck, and considering the price and mileage, it felt like a no-brainer. Plus, since it’s my father-in-law’s, he said I could do some work around his house to pay it off. As soon as I heard that, I said sold, lol. It had sat for 2-3 years, but it started and drove in just 15 minutes. It was parked because of the power steering issue. A guy at work mentioned that I should have at least 2-3 parts on hand. I really appreciate the help. I am not a mechanic either, lol. I do all my own repairs and take on side jobs, but I wouldn’t call myself a mechanic. I know how to use a wrench and remove bolts, though, lmao. I will definitely reach out if I have any questions.
I almost forgot, and I can speak from personal experience when I say that aftermarket parts from nearby parts stores are terrible for sensors.Hard components like rotors and pads are fine.but must purchase motorcraft items unless they are performance enhancements.
Change the air filter, and don’t neglect it. Focus on preventative maintenance before diving into performance mods. Items like the fuel bowl harness and ICP sensor pigtail are considered maintenance items and often get oil-saturated or have broken fastening clips. The ICP sensor, IPR valve, and CPS are common failure points in the 7.3 after 20+ years of use. If they look like they’ve never been replaced, add them to your to-do list. Just be aware that these components can fail. Also, inspect the fuel bowl hoses for dry rot. Common upgrades include a Hydra tuner and a 4” exhaust. A piece of advice: if you’re working with anything electrical, make sure you splice wires properly; otherwise, it could cause problems down the road. Use good quality crimpers and heat shrink; avoid being the guy who uses wire nuts on automotive wiring or runs wires across the engine bay in a haphazard way.
Wow, that’s a lot of maintenance, lol. To be honest, I’ve never owned a diesel, I’ve had tons of trucks, just never a diesel one. I’ll need to look up a lot of this information because I’m not even familiar with these components, lol. As I mentioned, those will be part of my future plans. I’m planning to do an oil change and replace the filter right away, along with the air filter. It definitely needs some work before I get to the fun upgrades. I’m hoping the power steering issue will be easy to fix, but the videos say otherwise, lol. I really appreciate your input since I’m pretty clueless about these engines. This truck is mainly going to be a work vehicle. I do scrapping on the side and need something that can handle the weight. I usually use a '97 Chevy 1500, but it struggles with weight in the bed and when towing scrap; it sags way too much. I even considered pulling the engine and figuring out how to put it in my Crown Vic, lol.
Maintenance is crucial, but I was just giving you a quick overview of the 7.3. The items I mentioned aren’t often troublesome, but it’s still vital to know they exist in case an issue later on occurs. Best of luck.
