Logan's 7.3 PowerStroke Progress Thread

[LAWN BOY]

I messaged the guy about this truck a few days ago, yesterday he ended up telling me he wanted it gone if I came and got it that day he'd do 1,000 rather than $2,000. So I made the 2 hour road trip. It ran and drove nicely on the test drive and onto the trailer. He kept his batteries, but gave me some junk ones to save me core charge money. This morning I charger up some old batteries we had and threw them in, started the truck which took a couple tries, ran for only 30 seconds, revved it up just a bit and it died after a couple little revs, while it could be a fuel quality for fuel pump issue, I understand it could also be the crankshaft position sensor, and even the oil, since the high pressure oil systems on these trucks are finicky from what I find online. I'll adf fresh fuel and add some diesel additive and change the oil and oil filter and fuel filter. But fist to address the fact it won't start after dying this morning. Just goes tick click like a bad starter, hammering starter didn't work, jumping solenoid didn't work, even after installing brand new batteries charged up, seller said it is an upgraded 6.7 starter, and it looks new too, so this is very weird, and also sad it went bad before I even drove her off the trailer. Another thought is I ran out of fuel, the gauge reads almost a quarter tank, but even with the truck off... Although I hear sloshing when I shake the truck. All the handles and latches are finicky, windshield has cracks, tires low on tread, one leaky valve stem, back seat missing, driver side door panels missing, the brake line that goes behind rear axle has a bad spot. Next step will be getting a new starter. The frame is solid despite the body being right up there with my Rustorado. The wires that are cut supposedly just go to the assembly for turn signals etc... and I need a pigtail. All other lights work, cargo lamp decided to stay on with key off tonight so I unhooked my batteries. A trans upgrade kit was included. Radio works great. Gonna be a fun project. Yes it has a title. I found some tampons in the glove box. My 6.0 handled the road trip very well.

 

[Woodtroll]

You can’t put junk batteries in newer diesels (yes, I’m old enough that I still consider a 7.3 “newer” LOL). These trucks seem particularly sensitive to low voltage, and if the computer isn’t getting enough clean power it just shuts down. Many newer vehicles are like this but the diesels seem particularly touchy, maybe because the heavy draws while preheating and cranking use so much energy before the truck even begins to fire. The CPS is a known problem on these trucks but that won’t keep it from cranking.

Make sure you have good batteries (check them separately, as new doesn’t mean they’re good) check the cable ends at both ends for corrosion and conduction, and check the grounds.

The 7.3s are good engines but not necessarily cheap to work on, especially if you just star throwing parts at it without good diagnostic skills. This one looks like it’s been heavily monkeyed with, which makes diagnosis even harder.

Good luck!

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Yes get a couple good heavy duty batteries before you buy any other parts
Hook them up properly with clean terminals
Then try starting it again, probably be running like it was with the good batteries you had to leave behind

 

[LAWN BOY]

You can’t put junk batteries in newer diesels (yes, I’m old enough that I still consider a 7.3 “newer” LOL). These trucks seem particularly sensitive to low voltage, and if the computer isn’t getting enough clean power it just shuts down. Many newer vehicles are like this but the diesels seem particularly touchy, maybe because the heavy draws while preheating and cranking use so much energy before the truck even begins to fire. The CPS is a known problem on these trucks but that won’t keep it from cranking.

Make sure you have good batteries (check them separately, as new doesn’t mean they’re good) check the cable ends at both ends for corrosion and conduction, and check the grounds.

The 7.3s are good engines but not necessarily cheap to work on, especially if you just star throwing parts at it without good diagnostic skills. This one looks like it’s been heavily monkeyed with, which makes diagnosis even harder.

Good luck!

I charger my new batteries to 100 before putting them in. Thanks.

Yes get a couple good heavy duty batteries before you buy any other parts
Hook them up properly with clean terminals
Then try starting it again, probably be running like it was with the good batteries you had to leave behind

These are the batteries I got. The terminals were replaced by the previous owner and are nice and clean.

 

[redneckhillbilly]

when cranking it over if the tach comes up from its rest at zero, the cam sensor is usually working.

 

[Wilhelm]

...I found some tampons in the glove box.

Well, at least You can wipe Your tears off with those left behind tampons as You drop time & $$$ into this project!

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Pull all the glow plugs and check the compression before u spend a dime on that money pit.

When I see a smokestack:
First thing that comes to mind is that some fkn juvenile, diesel-douche ran a tune on a clapped out engine. The excessive EGT's always crack pistons in these 7.3's