[rdltr250]

Hi

I am new to the forum and to diesel engines. I just bought a 2000 F250 with a 7.3 and only 69500 miles. Only used to tow a boat in the summer in Traverse City Michigan.

At this point I am only changing the oil. Is there any thing else I should do? Some say to install gauges are they a good thing?

Should the block heater be plugged in all the time or just hours before I want to uae it?

Thanks

Ron

 

[FleetMan]

Read your owners manual and read through the multitude of posts on this forum. You will be exposed to a lot of information to aid you in your decision making.

 

[NOSPARKPLUGZ]

Congrats! Thats very low milage for a 7.3. The heater cycles on and off by itself. Only plug it in 3-4 hours before driving. I normally leave mine on overnight and drive it in the morning. I forget but I think it will only add like 30 degrees of heat above ambient. You dont really need gauges on a stock truck, maybe a scanguage II for EOT and simple stuff. Change your CPS and check fuel filter, air filter, and all your fluids!

 

[ArcticDriver]

You found a great low miles 7.3 ! I am sure jealous.

For your winter weather I would use Rotella T6 5W-40 Full Synthetic and the Ford/Motorcraft oil filter (both found cheapest at Wal-Mart) Your injectors will appreciate the Rotella and the Motorcraft filter is a great filter and only $10 at Wal-Mart.

You might also add some Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement in the white jug (also at Wally World) since it might still have old summer grade diesel in the tank and you risk getting frozen fuel lines or filter now that winter is here. Top up your fuel tank now and then try and run the fuel low to get rid of the old fuel.

You only need to plug in the block heater 2-3 hours before starting unless its exposed to high winds right off the Lake. You should confirm your block heater is working properly by checking the Ohms at the 120V plug at your front bumper. The cords have a tendency of going bad from dangling down from the front bumper.

Research this forum for info on your fuel filter which you should replace as a preventative measure and also research CPS (good practice to carry a spare in the glove box along with a 10-mm wrench).

The suggestion to buy a ScanGuage II is a very good one. I think AutoZone has some of the best prices on them and often offer an online discount. (Also research installing a guage that will monitor your EGT...especially if you will be towing or adding any performance mods).

I hope you post a couple pics of your new rig. Is it a 6-speed or automatic trans? And as you learn to navigate the forum you can add a signature which includes detsils of your truck which will help others when they assist you diagnosing problems.

 

[Texkenusmc]

Wow I dream of finding one with that low milage. I am about to hit 3000,000 miles on mine with very few issues. This sight is a wealth of knowledge if you are new to diesel trucks. Read and learn as much as you can about your truck and it will pay off in the long run. I do all the work on my truck with the help of these guys knowledge. Congrats

 

[yan7gin]

I am about to hit 3000,000 miles on mine

This is a well use truck ?

Op, good find body mine has 152,000 miles and looking into one that has 130,000 miles


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[rdltr250]

Thanks for the info. Is there some place that lists what are all the acronyms mean. Like EGT and CPS. I will be putting the fuel additive in. My first priority is to find a good tire. Not to aggressive and quite.

The truck does not have power mirrors, bummer, I am investigating taking the mirrors off my 99 F150 but they look to small.

Oh well alot to learn

Thanks

Ron

 

[yan7gin]

Somewhere in the forum there an acronym thread but can't copy the link with my phone.

For your mirror you can look into 2008+ super duty mirror


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[ArcticDriver]

Thanks for the info. Is there some place that lists what are all the acronyms mean. The truck does not have power mirrors, bummer, I am investigating taking the mirrors off my 99 F150 but they look to small.

Oh well alot to learn

Thanks

Ron

Try here: http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f61/acronymns-246498/

You just found a 1 in 10,000 truck with those low miles and you are bummed no power mirrors?

:surprise:

 

[yan7gin]

Try here: http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f61/acronymns-246498/



:surprise:

Thanks, wanted to post the link when i got to the computer yesterday but totally forgot lol


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[Texkenusmc]

I am still on original turbo, injectors, and second transmission with 300,000 miles. Everything else has just been routine maintenance. Although I am about to upgrade turbo, down pipe & exaust .

 

[bigb]

The heater cycles on and off by itself.

I have never heard this, are you sure? I have never heard of any block heater with a built in thermostat.

 

[rdltr250]

Thanks for all the info. Found the Acronym link very helpful.

just had oil changed and got a good look at the underside. Looks good not as much rust as I thought. Looks like it was a well taken care of truck.

How hard is it to change the fuel filter? They wanted $212 to change it.

Looking at putting HanKook dynapro on the truck. Any thoughts?

 

[akcooper9]

How hard is it to change the fuel filter? They wanted $212 to change it.

OEM Fuel Filter Ford Powerstroke 7.3 Diesel '99-'03, OEM filter by Racor PFF4596 | eBay

And about 10 minutes of your time. Its pretty easy.

 

[DENNY]

I would agree block heater is on or off it does not cycle.
DENNY

 

[Texkenusmc]

These trucks are not hard to work on. I have done all the work on my truck you just need a good scanner and just ask questions if you need info. Their is a wealth of knowledge on this sight.

 

[ArcticDriver]

Easy project to do yourself. Just a heads up that these fuel filter elements also act as a water separator. The paper is chemically treated to repel water so that it remains in the filter bowl rather than be passed to the injectors.

Before you buy a fuel filter you need to determine what type you have--integrarated cap or separate cap. The integrated cap (NAPA) can replace either type but if you currently have the integrated type cap then you can't use the Ford filter without buying a new cap.

This video shows the Ford/Motorcraft with the filter not integral to the cap:

https://youtu.be/nOjiGZ-JY88

Here is a good video which shows the NAPA style with the cap fixed to the filter element:

https://youtu.be/P61jCOK7zwg

Note: The NAPA filter element does not have the outer filter screen that the Ford has; however, the paper element is of excellent quality.