Dead #8

[bwvick]

Well after months of trouble with the truck I purchased used in Feb. Found out today that the #8 cylinder is dead 225 psi. Definitely had the problem when I purchased it, just did not reveal itself to me until later. Live and learn...

So, I am looking for advice on what to do next?

Options I believe I have at this point, the truck is paid for. I paid 11K for it in feb of this year. Don't have the cash to do any kind of repair on it now, maybe next year.

Take truck to carmax and get what they will give me (only option I can act on now)
Get cylinders machined and put in slieves (cost?)
purchase a used motor and have it put in (from my understanding motor will run 4-5K)
purchase a reman and have it put in (complete reman including injectors 7500 with 2 year unlimmited warranty).

I can do alot of stuff mechanically to the truck, but this is way over my head so I will have to hire the work out.

[bwvick]

Nobody has advice on this topic? Surely I am not the only one who has experienced a dead cylinder.

[ToMang07]

IMHO... If it's definitely dead... best option would be to find another engine and drop it it. Unless you can re-build it yourself.

[campbellflage]

not sure of the quality but I always run across the ad on ebay for 3995 reman motor installed. 7.3 Super Duty Rebuilt Powerstroke Diesel Engine | eBay This is it, I swear I saw it for 3995 on there like last week.

[mxfever090]

Originally Posted by campbellflage

not sure of the quality but I always run across the ad on ebay for 3995 reman motor installed. 7.3 Super Duty Rebuilt Powerstroke Diesel Engine | eBay This is it, I swear I saw it for 3995 on there like last week.

There was another member of the org that used this guy. I can't find the thread though.

I have no experience at all with rebuilding a 7.3. But from what I've read and even remember a mod on here saying that once you open up the bottom end of a 7.3 it's life span is unpredictable. I would probably try and find a used one if it were me.

[campbellflage]

Originally Posted by mxfever090

There was another member of the org that used this guy. I can't find the thread though.

I have no experience at all with rebuilding a 7.3. But from what I've read and even remember a mod on here saying that once you open up the bottom end of a 7.3 it's life span is unpredictable. I would probably try and find a used one if it were me.

Was the outcome good or bad from the other member, hate to be pointing people in this guys direction if its shoddy work, just remember running into the ad all the time on ebay.

[Quickhorse]

Originally Posted by bwvick

Well after months of trouble with the truck I purchased used in Feb. Found out today that the #8 cylinder is dead 225 psi. Definitely had the problem when I purchased it, just did not reveal itself to me until later. Live and learn...

So, I am looking for advice on what to do next?

Options I believe I have at this point, the truck is paid for. I paid 11K for it in feb of this year. Don't have the cash to do any kind of repair on it now, maybe next year.

Take truck to carmax and get what they will give me (only option I can act on now)
Get cylinders machined and put in slieves (cost?)
purchase a used motor and have it put in (from my understanding motor will run 4-5K)
purchase a reman and have it put in (complete reman including injectors 7500 with 2 year unlimmited warranty).

I can do alot of stuff mechanically to the truck, but this is way over my head so I will have to hire the work out.

Having low compression in that cylinder could be from a number of things so I wouldn't just say it's the bottom end. How did you check the compression? Glow plug hole? Was it with a diesel compression checker? Could be a bad valve or a bad o-ring on the injector. If the whole cylinder chamber is not sealing the air correctly then you will get a low reading. It is not always from a bad piston or o-rings. My point is just take yer time in figuring out the problem exactly before dismissing the truck. 9 out of 10 times it is with the top end of the engine.

[bwvick]

Not sure of the method, it was checked by a local shop that specializes in Diesels. I do know they took the valve covers off to do the test. Recently had injector o-rings put in and tried a known working #8 injector replacement. So I feel fairly confident it is not an injector problem.

The truck also has a ton of blowby, does that indicate a bad cylider? I found this video last night while doing some searching on #8 cylinder. My truck as just as much if not more blowby than this. And uses a good bit of oil.

Ford F450 7.3 Powerstroke Bad Cylinder - YouTube

Ford F450 7.3 Powerstroke Bad Cylinder - YouTube

And when fixing leaky turbo o-rings, saw that the compressor wheel fans on the turbo has some damage to it. Very similar to picture number 3 in this pdf...http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...argerGuide.pdf

Wish i could have found this site BEFORE purchasing this vehicle. All signs are pointing toward poor maintenance and sucking in dirt.

[mxfever090]

Originally Posted by campbellflage

Was the outcome good or bad from the other member, hate to be pointing people in this guys direction if its shoddy work, just remember running into the ad all the time on ebay.

You know I don't remember and I looked again and can't find anything about it. I did see another suggest PowerStokePro but there aren't any specifics as to if he used them or not and I know exactly what you mean.

[bwvick]

I emailed the guy that runs the ebay add: eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices and Home yesterday asking for references and several other questions about the reman engine he is using and his process. Got back a reply that simply said "Not Interested!". Replied back asking what about my questions made him not interested? Anyway that option is out, and in my opinion that is not a good way to communicate with possible customer.

The guy at powerstokehelp has a youtube video advertising a rebuild for 5900:

COST OF 7.3L REBUILD POWERSTROKE - YouTube

COST OF 7.3L REBUILD POWERSTROKE - YouTube

But I know that there are some pretty strong opinions out there about him so I don't want to start another one of those threads. Based on what he is doing, 5900 seems like a reasonable price.

Got a quote yesterday from ford 6400 for a reman (complete with injectors, hpop, all censors, the whole 9 yards short of turbo), 7800 with turbo. Plus 1200 install. That is actually pretty tempting.