99 & up 7.3L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 99 & up 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 1999-Up Super Duty trucks and Excursions. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 7.3L Power Stroke engine.
I have a 2002 F250 with 124k on it and noticed an slow oil leak following my oil change a couple weeks ago. I took it back to the dealership who did the change yesterday and was told that it wasn't a faulty seal but rather one of two plates at the back of the engine and is going to cost about 1400 to 3000 to replace, depending on which plate it is.
I am just trying to educate myself on this and cannot find anywhere a discussion about "plates" at the back of the engine causing leaks. Does anyone have any ideas or follow up questions I should ask, I want to make sure that I am not being told to replace something that isn't necessary.
I have had the truck since 05 and it has never had an oil leak until after this most recent oil change.
With out looking at it it's hard to say what is leaking. Before you do anything take a really bright flashlight and look down into the engine valley, from the top.
If you have oil in the valley take some simple green or any engine degreaser, spray down in the valley and gently flush with water.
Drive it for a day or so, look in the valley for oil.
If you have oil in the front of the valley most likely an HPOP line or the HPOP, from the middle maybe IC or X pipe boots, from the rear, most likely the turbo pedestal O rings
Here is a video that explains it pretty well. It's where I'd start........
Thank you for the information and thanks for the link, I will do that this weekend and thanks for the word of caution. As you can probably tell I haven't done a lot of work on the truck myself but I am trying to learn.
I've NEVER heard of plates back there....don't even know what they could be talking about. I think there giving you the old run around!
Most leaks that are seen from the back of the engine are from the "valley" There is a drain hole in the back of the valley on the passanger side of the motor.
Is the leak stronger/wetter on the passanger side of the back of the motor?
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7.3L Stroken 4 life!!!
2002 F-250 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke 205K(7/2011)
AIS Intake system, BFG KM 2 Mud Terrains new @ 184680mi (1/28/10), Cab Clearance Lights self install 4/17/10, Foil delete and new IC boots 4/24/10
In doing a bit of googling the only plate I came up with in regards to a leak is a "bed plate". I agree, I think I am getting the run around, especially because in their diagnosis of the problem they did not inject any dye, they just eye-balled it and 30 minutes later told me it is the "plates" (even wrote it down, it says "oil leak back of engine from plates"
This is hard because I am new to the area and don't have a trusted mechanic like I did in Kansas, I am in Maryland outside of Washington DC if anyone knows of anyone I would appreciate info on that too.
Take some degrease spray and hit the top of your motor with it and rinse lightly (make sure motor is cold). Then run it normally and check at the end of each day to see where the oil is coming from. I just had a problem with my boots blowing oil out on the Y pipe. And that put large puddles in the driveway because it would pool in the valley and then when i parked it it would drain out the back(inclined driveway).
The whole "plates" thing still bugs the heck out of me. I'm trying to figure out what their talking about and have no clue....unless.....do they mean something to do with the turbo pedestal? BAH....hopefully this mystery will soon be solved.
I'm sure someone will more of a senior experience will chime in, but the degrease spray is a cheep and easy way to help narrow the search, I'm sure its coming from the valley area though!
Hope this helps!
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7.3L Stroken 4 life!!!
2002 F-250 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke 205K(7/2011)
AIS Intake system, BFG KM 2 Mud Terrains new @ 184680mi (1/28/10), Cab Clearance Lights self install 4/17/10, Foil delete and new IC boots 4/24/10
Hey, after posting the last one I read further and saw you were from Kansas! Where about? I used to live in Leavenworth, KS.
Born and raised in Overland Park, so not too far from Leavenworth. I spent a lot of time riding horses with friends whose parents were stationed at the fort when I was growing up. Miss the gas prices out there and the lack of traffic.
Thanks you all very much for the advice, I am going to pick up degreaser today, grab my flashlight and set to work, much to the horror of my very "proper" inlaws who are in town visiting. I am sure I am everything they envisioned in a daughter in law.
I will keep you posted on what I find because I am sure I will have more questions.
Thanks you all very much for the advice, I am going to pick up degreaser today, grab my flashlight and set to work, much to the horror of my very "proper" inlaws who are in town visiting. I am sure I am everything they envisioned in a daughter in law.
I will keep you posted on what I find because I am sure I will have more questions.
I wish my wife would help me with the truck
I'd like to see her perched up on the engine
__________________ I have a philosophy? Who knew. Ok, where's the beer?
2002 F-250 XLT CC SB\HPX\ITP prepump mod\Harpoon\DI 65psi fuel shim\4" SS turbo back Magnaflow\Fumoto\FTVB\Edge Evolution2\Zoodad\2008 Diff cover\V-10 Transmission cooler
With the engine warm and turned off, have someone turn the key on, don't start it, just to run the fuel pump while you look at the back side of the fuel filter. It may be the fuel filter drain valve o'ring's that are leaking. LOOK HERE Leaking fuel will wash any oil or dirt and look black like motor oil.
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99.5 F350 XLT Lariat 4X4 AT 4.10 DW CC LB Centurion conversion Garret Turbo, Radio SD &Tape, SP Performance 40-60-80 chip, 100 Gal.Transfer Flow W/Trimax Control Aux. fuel tank. ScanGaugeII, Boost, EGT, Trans. Temp. Oil Temp. Build date 03/99
92 F350 7.3 IDIT E4OD CC LB dually Banks turbo US Gear O/U
1990 F350 XLT Lariat 7.3L IDI E4OD Dually 280K+ 2WD
Reman Promar Long Block 11/07
I seem to rememeber somthing like this on my 02X. Someone here with more motor knowlegde can chime in. But the dealer said there were two plugs on the back of eack head? Anyway, I remember him showing them to me. I was getting a slow leak, more so on the passanger side. And they replaced the "plugs" and it went away. Both sides, as it was under warrenty at the time. Im not sure if this was a load of smoke but it did fix the problem. They did however, resort to adding dye to the system to locate the exact leak. and thats what they came up with, oh after they replaced more stuff than was necessary. Good thing it was on thier dime.
there are two plugs, but they are NOT plates. They are screwed in and I've seen on another forum that its the o-ring that can go bad and it then leaks.
Todes, that is exactly what I saw. Thanks for the post, I did no know there were front plugs as well. Intresting. As I have a nagging leak in that area. And have been unable to locate.
Thanks for the post to the link. And your are correct they are NOT plates Plugs man plugs! HA
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new @ 184680mi (1/28/10), Cab Clearance Lights self install 4/17/10, Foil delete and new IC boots 4/24/10
what their talking about and have no clue
....unless.....do they mean something to do with the turbo pedestal? BAH....hopefully this mystery will soon be solved. 
), AIS, 
Plugs man plugs! HA
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