Used 7.3 Buying Advice

[ChiefWashakie]

First post. Apologies for asking a question that has likely been covered many times, but my searches didn't turn up anything. If I'm beating a dead horse, I'd appreciate if someone could give me a link to a thread where this has already been answered.

I'm planning on trying to buy a 7.3L SRW F250/F350 with around 100K miles and a 6 speed manual in the near future. Are there any issues specific to this truck that I should look for? Given the age and mileage of the trucks that will be in my price range, I plan to make sure they have been properly maintained and I plan on making sure everything in the front end is tight. As this will be my first diesel, is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks in advance.

[JJFLASH]

What years are you thinking? 7.3L with a 6spd limits you from '99 to mid '03 (but '03 7.3s are pretty rare).

[ridiculously_necessary]

just watch for leaks, check the turbo for chips and shaft play. if you end up with an auto, have the tranny checked by a trusted mechanic. compression tests never hurt, but are rare to find problems. do a diagnostic on injectors and test for codes. thats about it. keep money aside fro fluid changes, and just assume you will have to replace the glows and glow relay (about $150 with a Stancor relay upgrade). that way your safe either way.

welcome to the org!

[ChiefWashakie]

I was thinking 99-03. Looking to spend around $17,000 and from what I've seen I think that age range of truck is what I'll be able to afford.

Thanks for the advice ridiculously_necessary.

[ridiculously_necessary]

you can find a great truck for that price. of course that will vary where you live, but here in MO 17 will get you a great rig.

[layson]

You just got to look at it. You can tell when a truck has been abused. Especially when you drive it...

Look at who owned it if you can. If it is some punk kid then you know where it has bee. Also look under the truck, see if it is caked with mudd...

Pull the air filter see if everything look good. If you really want to get to know a truck, look at the wheel on the turbo.. see if there is any play or the wheel is all worn out..

Get up and look down in the valley of death with a flashlight, see what is all down there. If you can't stick your hand down there and feel. If there is a lot of oil down there then there may be some issues.

Look at all the fluids. Make sure they are all nice and clean. Also if a motor is really clean up top... then somebody probably pressure washed the motor. If so, get under the motor and look up there, see how much oil and sludge is under there.

Check the blow by, open the oil filter cap and see how much pressure is coming out the cap when the truck is running.

If it has a bed mat, look under it to see how beat up the bed is.

If you can find out the history, when and what has been replaced.

There are a ton of things you can look for... Also find out if anyone nearby has AE, THAT really freaks out the owner of the truck when you hook it up to a computer... then you can pull all the codes, check out the injectors, test everything and watch everything on a test drive..

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by ChiefWashakie

First post. Apologies for asking a question that has likely been covered many times, but my searches didn't turn up anything. .

Didn't look here -> What to look for when buying a USED 99-03 PSD

[ChiefWashakie]

Thanks to all for the replies. It's really helpful info.

[jtorti]

Biggest thing, once you get it take it to a DIESEL MECHANIC, after I bought mine I took it took the same mechanic I took my gas cars too. Needless to say I had to replace the engine within a month of buying it.

[03_Turbo7.3]

Originally Posted by jtorti

Biggest thing, once you get it take it to a DIESEL MECHANIC, after I bought mine I took it took the same mechanic I took my gas cars too. Needless to say I had to replace the engine within a month of buying it.

thats some good homework lol..

there out there..you just have to look.... im pre warning you..the modifications get addicting!