Ford 7.3 Turbo Diesel ???'s

What's the reliability reputation or problem history with this engine in 1996 models?

It's in a F-250 with automatic and 4WD. Current mileage is 117,000.

Thanks,
Pete

Its a great motor will go 350,000 mi + if taken care of. the only real problem on this motor is the CPS ( crank position sensor ) will go out on them time to time. otherwise great motor. I have one that has 425,000 on it and still runs strong, and one that has 125,000 on it and it has been chipped, and modded since day one and it runs great also.

The engine is fine,with the exception of occasional crank sensor failure.Weak link of that truck is the auto especially if it has alot of towing time on it. Keep the trans serviced properly,drop the pan, change the filter.Don't go for the trans. flush jobs at the jiffy lube type places

285000 mile and still running strong. 5 speed 4x4 Auto no thanks F250 extndacab

Farmer

Thanks a4tlrat and MSM.

When the CPS problem occurs does it put you on the side of the road or can you limp it home?

What's the cost of replacing the CPS?

Thanks again,
Pete

Like MSM said, the camshaft position sensor is a weak link...........they have been updated to a newer version, that '96 will still have the earlier version(unless it's been changed)........it's simple to change, can't remember the cost though? .......and YES, if it fails it will leave you on the side of the road, but for the cost of a tow bill and the inconvenience, it pays to have a replacement in the glove box.........

Factory transmission without upgrades is weak if used for pulling............

Other than that it's a good unit..........

Slushboxes suck.

I have a '96. F-250 Supercab, 4x4.. 200k miles and the motor is perfect. I lost an idler pulley at about 35k but that was a fluke.

As discussed... it IS the transmission that may give you problems but that is only if you tow a lot. A new one will run you $2500 (rebuilt) but for that you can get a bulletproof aftermarket rebuild.

I have never heard that the CPS was a problem in the older models. The 01's aand up have had some issues.

That motor is damn near bulletproof in my opinion. Go to http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f28/ for any problems or advice on what to look for. Don't get scared off by all the posts of things that are broke. I only put that to give you a place to ask questions and get advice.

If you can get it at a good price, go for it! I call my truck 'the Goat' because she has been everywhere.. down a mountain side, through mud bogs (not intentionally), crawling through rocks, and pulling a 20k fifthwheel up the Rocky Mountains. I lost my Tranny at around 120k. Haven't had any problems since.

Check the coolant if negelected it can eat a hole in the block. I think Ford had a bulletin on them.

CPS CAM position sensor! Cost from Ford is around $25. There is a recall on them, but don"t know what years are covered. May leave you stranded or may just die and restart. Mileage on truck is nothing, just broke in. Have the trany fluid replaced and checked by a GOOD sevice center or Ford. I have a 92 F250 5 speed with the 7.3 non turbo with 400,000 miles. Have 2003 F350 4x4 auto with 7.3 powerstroke with 95,000. Ford replaced the CPS at 75,000. Both trucks very dependable. Caught a lot of guff from the chevy and Dodge boys, but I needed a farm truck not a city truck.

Cam position sensors are common failures that leave you on the side of the road. Another problem is the electrical connector on the valve cover gaskets that like to melt. DO flush the trans. The filter in a Ford trans is only a fine brass screen. Dropping the pan gets 1/4 of the fluid at best. Flushing gets 98% of the old fluid plus gums and varnishes that build up over time.

Got 2 of them, got a 1990 non turbo with 306K on it and a 2000 with 155K on it. The CPS will leave you or will start and die, then restart and die. The one on the 2000 went out, was able to drive it about 10 miles, died about 5 times, going down the road, would restart until the last time, then it got a free ride to Ford.
Jim

I have a 2000 model with 120,000 and no problems at all with the engine.Ford did a recall and installed a new cam sensor for free about 6 months ago but never had a problem with the old one.Mine has the 6 speed have heard not too good things about the automatics

I saw this on the FTE site:



TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 07S57:

Certain 1997 - 2003 F-Super Duty, Excursion, and E-Series Vehicles

Equipped with 7.3L Diesel Engines

Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Inspection / Replacement

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle Line Model Years Assembly Plant Production Dates

Econoline 1997-2003 Lorain Assembly Plant 4/3/1996 - 9/16/2003

Excursion 2000-2003 Kentucky Truck Plant 3/25/1999 - 11/1/2002

F650/750 Series 2000-2003 Cuautitlan Assembly Plant 1/20/1999 - 10/31/2002

F-Series 1997 Kentucky Truck Plant 6/18/1996 - 12/17/1997

F-Series 1997 Cuautitlan Assembly Plant 6/11/1996 - 12/10/1997

F-Series 1999-2003 Kentucky Truck Plant 9/3/1997 - 11/4/2002

F-Series 1999-2003 Cuautitlan Assembly Plant 10/2/1998 - 7/21/2003

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS. In addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership,

visit https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com . This information will be available on December 04,

2007.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, the Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor may fail due to circuit

degradation. If the CMP Sensor should fail, the engine may stall. In the event of an engine stall, a

crash could result without warning. A new CMP Sensor with improved reliability is now available.

SERVICE ACTION

Dealers are to inspect the CMP Sensor to verify which design level sensor is installed in the affected

vehicles, and replace all prior level sensors. This service must be performed on affected vehicles at no

charge to the vehicle owner.

OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE

Parts to repair this condition are currently not available in sufficient quantities to service all of the

affected vehicles. Therefore, to ensure that an ample supply of parts is available, owners of affected

vehicles will be notified in separate phase mailings over several months. Phase mailing will begin the

week of December 17, 2007; prioritized by age of vehicle. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles

that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

It failed on my 96 !

Not according to Ford...........I've heard of failures from almost all years inluding 2 I experienced personally with my '97...........if it were mine, '96 or not, I'd have a spare in the glove box...........

I have a 88 IDI 7.3, it's a non-turbo. Can't say for sure on that year, but I pay a lot of attention to the coolant, and only use heavy duty diesel coolant approved by JD, cummins etc since they have the correct additives in them to prevent cavitation of the cylinder walls, an issue at least with the IDI's. Go to your JD dealer and they sell test strips for coolant, and check it at each oil change.

wayne

got 97 with 326,000 change oil every 8,000 with supertech 15/40 replaced 1 waterpump, 1 starter,and 1 alternator never any other problems except cps at 289,000 miles

I've got a 97 with 215,000, has the E4OD automatic, does good (manual may be better, or beefed up aftermarket) . 94-97 about the same, good reputation. Replacement parts, like sensors and stuff, can get expensive--cheapest source has been ebay for me. A lot of the stuff is available through IH (at better prices than Ford), as it is an International engine. I put a big aftermarket cooler on the trans for heavy loads. There are a few other small modifications that help it, such as exhaust, etc. Info on the links that follow. There's a few software programs around that you can troubleshoot them with, I use AutoEnginuity on a laptop:
http://www.autoenginuity.com/
http://www.thedieselstop.com/ has good forums for the 94-97
Couple other good webpages are:
General stuff:
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/
http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/index.php3

Lot of info--go to the "tips and tricks" link, includes buyer tips on that link if you scroll down a ways:
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/index.html

About the CPS:
http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?CPS%20Failure%21

Hope this helps,
Dan

Oops!
I see wallacedw already posted about "thedieselstop.com"

I have no personal experience with the older Strokes, but I will tell you guys who are buying the new CPS, and those who took theirs in for the recall, there is now a recall on the recall, and the new sensors have probelms. Since I sold my Stroke before the recall, I didnt take mine in, but the next owner did, and he had to take it back twice since for the same probelm with the CPS. The last time it acted up, he put the one I left in the truck in and hasnt had any problems since, it was older CPS from International he put in.

Sooo anyone got a picture of this CPS unit ? Where is it located? Must be kind of easy the change out?

Thanks Farmer

If I remember right, its pretty easy--one bolt maybe, kind of plugs in, has an oil seal on it, right on the very front of the engine. Easiest to reach up from the bottom. Nothing else needs to be removed to get to it.

I replaced mine a few years ago, because of all the hype. I keep the old one in the glove box. No problems with that one, or the one I installed. Probably should have spent my money elsewhere, but I seem to remember it was around $30? from International at the time. Figured a lot cheaper than if it went out on the road.