What to look for when buying a 7.3L Powerstroke

Talking about things I like to check when buying a used 7.3 diesel powerstroke. Not too much to these beyond normal used vehicle stuff making sure stuff works, leaks, cosmetic damage, etc. these trucks tend to be very reliable and many people put 300,000+ on them no issue! Hope this is helpful to any first time diesel buyers or people looking to learn a little more about the 7.3 engines!

[DieselNDirt_]

A quick and dirty guide for those reading the comments -

Diesel Fuel in the coolant = Cracked Injector cups

Diesel Fuel in oil / vise versa = bad injector o-rings

Oil in coolant usually means a bad oil cooler as well

If the engine has blowby and it blows the oil cap off the fill tube, that engine is worn out and in need of repair. If it’s just a little smoke, you’ll be fine.

If the overdrive light on the column shifter is flashing, the transmission is toast.

Try and jump the starter solenoid and listen to the engine turn over. If the engine has a consistent sound turning over, it’s healthy. If the engine skips or has a sudden change of sound while cranking, one or multiple cylinders has low compression.

Solid video as always!

[jklibvi]

After driving my 7.3 for 20 years I'm always amazed how it takes the exact amount of rotations of the engine to start on mine and other 7.3s. Yes, you can tell.

[StrawHatGarage]

Just picked up a 95 F250 4x4 auto with about 200k for 4k with new tires. Already in love with these old diesels.

[cavemanjoe]

When I bought mine it came with an air filter about that size, the first thing I did was buy a Banks Power intake to let it breathe better. As long as you keep up on the maintenance these last a very long time. I have 416, 000 miles so far and still chugging along.

[jontroyer]

I have no idea why people go and say 7.3s can’t start in the cold gotta have them plugged in because my dads 2002 7.3 started right up in -8 degree weather after sitting 2 weeks prior to that my dad always says if everything taken care of and maintained then it’ll start

[jaytillquist]

I've had a 7.3 since 95 and I kept mine plugged in at home in the winter. Much less harmful at startup with a warm engine.

[mosesbarron]

Thank you! I'm new to diesel. I checked out an '01 F350 a couple days ago and I want to get it, but even before I saw this video, I was having some doubts about the fact that the owner started it before I got out of my vehicle. I tend to be over trusting so I'll be sure to check all these out before making any final decisions.

[mattwitkowski]

Right now I have 360k on my 2002 F-350 7.3. Great truck. Never an issue.

[Bill_Ross]

Thanks, going to look at a 7.3 in a few hours, needed the basics, much appreciated!

[davidwalters]

97 F250 328, 000 miles. New Lpop, glow plugs, fuel filter, and relay after sitting for 2 years. It is my daily and starts right up.

[remingtonwendt]

Yep, my 7.3 starts in -40° weather, it’s not her favorite thing in the world but she starts😂 she is starting to struggle more in the cold but I’m not to worried I plan on doing a full rebuild within the next year.

[edwardharris]

You should definitely check out the ambulance package 7.3 upper radiator hose. It routes the hose behind the serpentine belt.

[babydollzxr]

I’m not as familiar with the 7.3… I am looking at a 99 7.3 manual long that crew cab on Monday it’s got 344, 000 miles on it. The transmission was rebuilt last year. I’ve heard good things about this particular diesel and the years that you had described like every vehicle, there’s gonna be notorious issues, so all the info I can get here is super helpful… the one that I will be looking at in pictures looks extremely clean no paint failure even the interior is the best I’ve seen for the year that it is so without physically messing with it I feel good fives but I’m terrified as anybody would, I only have enough money to buy it from a total truck that I had recently

[dk-qrxt]

Great video for the layman. Thank you.

[roninwiscon]

Any powerstroke i have owned/looked at, 7.3s, 6.0s.and 6.4s all have a wire near the passenger side battery that looks like it has a in line fuse, but it is not. Pull it apart in the middle of that plastic connector and you can make contact with the two wires and the motor will crank over without starting. Good way to hear if compression is even across all cylinders or if there is any valve issues.
I live in Wi. And they always started for me no matter how cold it was. I preferred to plug it in once temps dropped below 15° at night, but you would occasionally forget and they would still start, just not as happily.

[babydollzxr]

Oh my gosh this is an amazingly helpful video. Thank you 🙏

[MAGAEVA]

I remember when I was stationed up in Alaska in the mid ‘00’s and guys would always be having competitions about who’s better Ford, Chevy, or Dodge when it comes to trucks and especially diesels!! I’ve always been more of a Ford Man in terms of from 1999-2011. I LOVE the mid 90’s Chevy OBS gas 1500’s with the Z71 and the old small block 350 5.7L V8 engine though too. I wish I could afford an “older” (never thought I’d say ANYTHING from the 90’s or 00’s was considered “old” now…damn I am getting old haha) F-250 7.3L Powerstroke but unfortunately when my fusion got totaled out, they only gave me enough to be able to afford an ‘04 Expedition with the 2 Valve 5.4L V8 (so another words, the good engine) it only had 123, 000 on it. It’s in incredible condition!

[berniedmj]

Thank you!! Very informative!
I’m was looking for a 96 7.3L Powerstroke until now. Now you got me looking for any from 95 to 03.
TruckHouseLife here in youtube has a 96 7.3L Powerstroke & he lives in Alaska.
His truck has cold started every time until it hit minus 40 degrees. I think he has a block heater & that didn’t help. His buddies help him out by towing it to a garage where it was over 100 hundred degrees. When it thawed out, it started.
I would like to get one to put a flatbed for work & then put a camper on it for family backcountry road trips.
It seems the best time to look for one when is during the winter when it’s very frigid. To see if it pass the “cold start”.
Also, I know nothing about diesel since I never owned one. But I’m willing to learn here on youtube. Learning all the preventative maintenance & what not.

[usmcmustang]

Or like me .. Buy a new 2000 F350 and keep it for 23 years. Then rebuild the engine after 350k, put in a new 6 speed transmission and rebuild the rear end.... Plugging the block heater in will give you a warm engine start, which will help your engine last a lot longer, less stress on the batteries to start and the truck warms right away ....

[cainenjohnston]

Very helpful video I’m thinking about buying my very first diesel as a summer cruiser an for pulling bigger stuff that my 1500 dodge can’t