Dusted motor? Need advice!

[Campbellmeister]

I have a 2001 7.3 L with 130,000 miles on it. I have owned it for a couple of years and it has always put out white exhaust when started in the morning whether it's plugged in or not. The truck now will not start unless it's plugged in overnight. Once the truck starts and warms up, it runs great. Lately the problem has been getting worse so I decided to take it to a local shop that is very reputable. I was anticipating that I would have needed to replace the glow plugs or an injector.

Unfortunately the shop told me that my motor has been dusted and they did not recommend doing any further work to the motor because they did not feel that the problem could be solved cost effectively. I still owe $8,000 on the truck and I can't afford to lose my investment.

Can anyone recommend a budget conscious course of action to try and save my dusted engine and solve the hard starting problem? Is my shop correct that this motor cannot be saved without a full rebuild?

Thanks.

[SuperCrutyPS]

Did they tell you what was wrong with it that would cost so much or just make a blanket statement?

[NoRalPh]

Did they take a compression test?

If you're really dealing with a "dusted" engine (and how did THAT happen? You got a K&N or anything?) and your having starting problems because of Low Compression then, NO, you really need a rebuild and there's no cheap fix

[97powerstroker]

i would pull off the intake tube to the turbo and look at the blades,they should give an indication of dusting.If they look good i dont see how the motor is "dusted",all the air has to pass through those turbo blades.So if the motor is dusted,those blades should be as well.Does it run at all? if so how does it run once its started? Sounds like your dealing with gasser mechanics or a hard up for money auto shop to me.........

[97powerstroker]

i dont believe that low mile motor is dusted unless there was a serious intake leak for a great while.if it runs fine after its started it cant be dusted.After its warm will it start up on its own? you prolly just need new glow plugs and a glow plug relay.As for the smoke that seems normal,my dad bought a 03 7.3 brand new and it smoked on colder starts.

[Bad Night]

I assume by dusted they mean dirty air ran through the motor . If that is what they mean they they would of had to do a compression test to know . If they didn't then they are b.s.ing you . A 7.3 with 130k should have allot of life left unless it was really neglected and abused . How did the truck feel to drive after warmed up . If it had low compression it would have smoked all of the time due to not burning all of the fuel . Not to mention it should have felt weak in comparison to another 7.3 (if you have ever driven another one) . I just really doubt the motor is bad . I was told that about one of my trucks and them took it elsewhere and was told it just needed glow plugs and injectors (really only 2 injectors but with the mileage it had I opted for all new .

[Campbellmeister]

Thanks for all your responses. The mechanic did pull the hose off the turbo and the blades were bent and worn. The mechanic did not recommend doing a compression check because he felt that the engine was in very rough shape. I think he was making these assumptions because of air pressure coming out of the oil filler tube. For those of you who were asking about the running condition of the truck after it warms up, the truck runs great after it's warm. After the truck is warm, the only performance problem that sometimes I get a slight miss while under load. My dad has a 7.3 and my truck runs similar to his. Should I have a compression check done befor I change the plugs? I'm trying to operate on a budget.
Thanks.

[Bad Night]

You say a miss under load ? That is probably an injector issue . If you are unable to do tests yourself you really need to take the truck to a diesel shop . I don't feel you have been given an accurate diagnoses .

[SuperCrutyPS]

Originally Posted by Campbellmeister

Thanks for all your responses. The mechanic did pull the hose off the turbo and the blades were bent and worn. The mechanic did not recommend doing a compression check because he felt that the engine was in very rough shape. I think he was making these assumptions because of air pressure coming out of the oil filler tube. For those of you who were asking about the running condition of the truck after it warms up, the truck runs great after it's warm. After the truck is warm, the only performance problem that sometimes I get a slight miss while under load. My dad has a 7.3 and my truck runs similar to his. Should I have a compression check done befor I change the plugs? I'm trying to operate on a budget.
Thanks.

What plugs would you change?

[Campbellmeister]

Originally Posted by SuperCrutyPS

What plugs would you change?

I would change the glow plugs to try and resolve the white exhaust and hard starting when cold. Also I agree with the previous poster who mentioned the injectors. When I have the minor miss under load I have more white exhaust which I have heard is symptomatic of a gummed up injector.