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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Murf, Have you had any experience with performance dropping in the 7.3 L turbo diesels that were in the Superduty's before the 6.0 came out? Mine seems to be acting a tad sluggish and hates cold starting much worse than in previous years. It's a 2000 model F250 and has 125k+ miles on it. I'm good about changing the oil and air filters. I'm due for a fuel filter, though.
Do the injectors wear out or any other items that could be causing the cold start issue?
It hasn't failed to start yet, but it has died several times before it'll stay running. That's after sitting outside all day while I'm at work. I garage it at home.
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Well, when the truck was younger, if it sat outside all day at near 0 degrees F it would catch and then surge repeatedly which rocked the truck back and forth. It would surge maybe half dozen times before settling down to idle and warm up.
Then on the first cold day this winter/fall, after sitting out overnight and all the next day at about 25+ degrees or so, it would catch, surge up and then die. It did this about 3 times before it finally caught, surged a couple of times, then settled down to idle.
During the summer, my mileage held around 16 to 16.5 mpg. That's running about .5 to 1.0 mpg lower than previous summers. Not a huge difference, but disappointing as the egine should be broke in by now. One noticeable trip which was all highway had mileage in the low 16 mpg range when in the past it was typically 17-18 mpg. It was not a noticeably high wind day either.
I also noticed the truck doesn't have the same get up and go as it used to. No hard data, but she took a lot longer getting up to 80 mpg in passing a car than it had in the past. That's what got me paying more attention to it.
The fuel should be fairly fresh as I usually run through a tank a week (25+ gallons). Sometimes more, sometimes less.
As for the oil, I run the Rotella the truck place puts in it. I've run that since the first oil change way back. I'm not sure exactly the grade designation as they hold it in those huge multi-thousand gallon tanks. But I suspect it's 15W40.
Batteries are still stock items. Truck bought in March, 2000 so that puts them at about 5 years old.
Note: I've never used any diesel fuel treatment in the truck. Should I? And any recommendations?
In winter, the place I buy diesel from uses pre-blended fuel and I've not had problems with it the two previous winters.
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Murf, she's got a 3.73 rear end in it. The best mileage I got was a road trip at 70 mph that got me about 18 mpg. I'm usually doing more stop and go during the week when driving back and forth to work. It's about a 14-15 mile trip with two stop signs, one speed trap and 2 or 3 road turns (no stop signs). It's also hilly so that can impact mileage. So I usually fair worse for those fuel runs, typically 16.4 - 16.5. So running 16 mpg flat is noticeable.
I've got a new fuel filter I'll get installed and I'll drain the water trap. I'll try to find the fuel additive and see what that can do for me.
Thanks for your help. I'll also check the glow plugs, but may have to wait until I'm past Christmas. I'm pretty booked up and I get to go to Fargo for a week (next week). Woohoo!
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Murf, she's a stock rig. 2000 F-250 SuperCab (Not crew)4x4 with automatic trany (wife can't drive a stick, I tried to teacher her, but...). But after 125k miles and nothing to clean the injectors, I'm suspecting they are pretty dirty. I picked up some power source additive for the fuel last night. I'll get that installed and run a tank or two through and see if that makes a difference as well.
I'm not complaining too much about the mileage as it's still at least 50% better than my buddy with the 5.4L gas engine in his truck.
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Ok, here's what I found so far. The fuel filter was, um, very dark. A deep, dark brown color. So I'm thinking that certainly wasn't helping matters. So it's been changed out. I drained the water collector and didn't find much water. I also added that fuel stuff to work on cleaning the injectors.
The flex joints for the intake from the turbo are very dirty like there's been some blow-by. Is this a potential problem? Normal?
Now, the latest fun is the rear end. I noticed a small fresh puddle of oil on the garage floor under the rear end pumpkin. Closer examination shows the whole underside of the rear end housing coated in oil. The drive shaft is clean. Anyone ever blow a seal before?
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Murf, out of curiosity, what were the first couple of changes that helped improve your mileage?
I've got this thing for at least another 100k miles since we had to trade in the wife's Mustang GT convertible for an SUV due to our first baby being on order (currently 19 weeks into the usual 40+ weeks of back-order). So my vehicle needs are being ignored. So I'm interested in some additional mileage. If power was boosted as well... Well, that would be a shame and I would just have to sacrifice and accept that result. 
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Thanks for your help Murf. It was definitely peppier this morning with the new fuel filter. It was clearly a problem. I took it easy due to the blown rear end seal. I can't get it in for repair until Saturday. I don't have time to do it myself.
I'll have to look into an exhaust system. I can understand why I may have too much vacuum. I like it when some punk kid sees my truck ad decides they want to pass cause the truck will obviously be too slow. They don't like getting beat by such a big vehicle!! I know my brother was pissed when I beat his car in a race and I was slow due to spinning the tires on the wet pavement.
There is no replacement for cubic inches!
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Taheide, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I found the fuel filter that was supposed to be in the truck. Meaning, I bought this summer and was supposed to install it. Thought I had. Guess I didn't. Life's been hectic with working full-time and going to school full-time. Guess it caught up with me... But graduated last night and I got a new fuel filter installed Thursday. I also added the Power Sourse additive so hopefully that will clean the injectors some.
It seems to be doing much better with the new filter. I took it easy due to the oil coming out of the front of the rear end. Dropped the truck off to be repaired while I'm out doing the family holiday thing.
With the rear ened fixed and the new filter, I'll check the mileage and see if it's improved.
Was the new exhaust system easy to install? I helped a buddy install an aftermarket one on his Mustang yeas ago. Wasn't bad with two people. But if I do it, it'll probably be just me installing it.
I do love the diesel truck. As described, it's a giant brick, but that big friggin' engine really gets her hauling. It was fun 4 years ago when I was doing 75+ mph hauling an ATV and a bunch of crap in the back of my truck while towing a Ford Ranger loaded down with another ATV and more crap. I blew past those minivans and never even slowed when going uphill. I love having the big engine. But, I would like more power... Can never have enough.
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Murf - 7 3L Diesel Question for ya
Sorry for late reply Murf, I'm in Fargo this week.
The rear seal leak is not just a little weaping. It's a puddle on the garage floor. The whole underside of the differential is soaked in fluid. So it's beyond a little leak. So I'm getting that fixed.
It's been 125,000 miles with very few problems and no money put into it except for filters, and oil. New tires at 93,000. So it's been a great truck. Bout time I spent a little money on it.
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