'02 Ford Diesel Advice pre-purchase help!?!

[jeepdreamer]

Hey all...
I'm thinking a little bit inside and a little bit out of the proverbial "box" and could use some thoughts from all the Ford diesel Gurus. I'm a Jeep guy so the diesel thing is a little foriegn but spinning wrenches is old hat for me.
I'm looking at an '02 Ford E350 Diesel Van...Yup, Van. It has a pretty good set up for what I would be looking to do but I could use some advice on what to look for specifically when going to inspect it. Is there any years (or partial years/ half years) to avoid? The one I have in my sights has 207k on it. A lot for a gasser but how do the powerstrokes do for distance? This one also has an auto tranny...anything I should be scared of there? I'm a manual guy normally but I can do a slushbox of it will hold up?
Any and all advice would be very much appreciated! I have about 2 weeks before I head out to look. So, let me have it! Thanks!

 

[Rozzi]

I've read some pretty good stuff on youtube regarding pre-purchase inspections of the 7.3. If maintenance records are available, I would be looking for fuel filter and routine fluid changes. I sold my 2000 Ford 7.3 4x4 with 200,000 and it ran like new. I know of folks that have 400-500k on these. I am also a manual tranny guy. My 2000 had a 6 speed. My 2002 is an automatic. Again, routine transmission flushes if maintenance records available.
The mileage wouldn't bother me. Early 2003 was the last of the 7.3. The only reason they did away with the 7.3 related to emissions (it's a polluting SOB). :ylsmoke:
p.s. I always check these engines when they are cold. Check out the youtube. Just plug in 7.3 diesel powerstroke and some guy will have several videos. Some of the information is a waste of time, but I did find it interesting. Good luck.

 

[IdaSHO]

An '02 Powerstroke is a great year for the motor. I didnt realize they were putting them in the vans then, thats PERFECT :sombrero:

Im a 7.3 Powerstroke guy. Ive got a '96, and love it.

Much noisier than any of the newer diesels, much they are great motors.

I wouldnt even flinch at 200k miles if the van looks well taken care of, and runs out good. Ive got 250k+ on mine, and it runs like a raped ape. Will pull anything, and gets fantastic mileage doing it.

There are a few maintenance concerns Id have when picking up a 200k 7.3 though. Obviously maintenance records would help, but id be concerned about a few big ticket items....

*batteries
*starter
*water pump
*glow plugs and relay
*radiator

And the chassis having 200k on it, there are a few items there Id look into as well. Is the van 4x4?

*ball joints
*wheel bearings
*brakes
*rear diff and transfer case fluids


Thats about it I think:ylsmoke:

 

[cocco78]

7.3s are bulletproof, except for the glow plug relays and some sensor, cps I think? There are also some EGR tubes that need to be cleaned once in a while... With 200k on it the trans is probably already rebuilt...

 

[IdaSHO]

The 7.3 doesnt have any EGR related equipment on it.
And yes, the CPS is known for being a little problematic.

That said, I have never once had a problem with mine. Though, I do keep a spare, along with a 10mm wrench in the glove box.

 

[Bella PSD]

The 7.3 doesnt have any EGR related equipment on it.
And yes, the CPS is known for being a little problematic.

That said, I have never once had a problem with mine. Though, I do keep a spare, along with a 10mm wrench in the glove box.

Same here, 120K and no problem with my CPS. The key is to always have a spare in the glove box and you wont have a problem. As soon as you don't have an extra.....

And if you ever have a problem with the glow plug relay just swap out the Air Intake Heater relay for the glow plug relay. They are the same so you always have a spare with you.

In rust/salty areas you need to check for rust on the oil pan. Its a BIG pain to replace the pan.

 

[cocco78]

The 7.3 doesnt have any EGR related equipment on it.
And yes, the CPS is known for being a little problematic.

That said, I have never once had a problem with mine. Though, I do keep a spare, along with a 10mm wrench in the glove box.

Grrr, I mean to say the EBPS, exhaust back pressure sensor, and tube. These can get clogged with soot and cause poor performance. The sensor is a bit pricey but it can be cleaned.

I also never had a problem with my cps but I did have it replaced under warranty, and picked up a spare just in case. I kept blowing glow plug relays until I went to an IH dealer and bought a heavy duty relay for like $30 and never had a problem again.

 

[ujoint]

I recently saw a 7.3 van with over 750K! Great engine, especially for the van.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Yea....Great Help!

Thanks guys...All very much the kind of intel I was hoping for. I think if the blue beasty is still there for sale when I am on leave I may end up with it...
In more understandable Expo fashion...Does anybody know if the 4WD stuff from a same-same truck would swap in? Meaning, could I find a similar year F350 and use the front axle and what not under the E350? And yes, I got the fact that I have a 2WD transmission. I would likely add a divorced t-case unless the current tranny needs a rebuild. THen it would be "swap on Wayne...Swap on Garth...!"
Keep up the unput...leave is in about a week...oh boy OH BOY!!!

 

[westexhunt]

Newbie here with first post, will throw out my intro when I get time. I had a diesel shop for some years and worked on lots of powerstroke equipped vehicles. The van version of the powerstroke is different than the superduty version. Mainly no intercooler and a different turbo as well as different ecm (at least in the pre 6.0 powerstroke). I have never seen a powerstroke van with a manual trans either. EGT's climb much quicker on a van so power adders must be looked at more carefully. There are no inherent design problems with the 7.3 powerstroke vans other than all of them need a coolant additive to fight cavitation erosion and the injectors usually fail before there are major engine problems and as is the case with all 7.3L powerstrokes the factory air cleaner is not sufficient (Ford released a revised air cleaner for the super duty trucks) and K&blank or most of the other aftermarket intake systems will dust an engine faster than the stock system. As far as 4x4 vans look at quigley vans, pathfinder and I think there is another just google it. I have seen these powerstrokes go over 400k many times but have also seen them fail in 100k. Clean air, clean oil and clean fuel are required before a diesel engine will last the way it was engineered to.

 

[IdaSHO]

Yes, the vans never did have an intercooler.

But neither did the early 7.3 Powerstroke pickups.

And as much as Id like to add one to mine, I can honestly say it has never been a problem. Even when towing 12k+ up 7-degree grades. Though, I do have an aftermarket intake and very free flowing exhaust on it.

You just need to have a Pyro gauge, and watch it like a hawk. :ylsmoke:

The van should already have a decent downpipe. That was another big difference between the pickup and the van motor. The turbo was mounted slightly different to fit, and the downpipe is quite different.

Grrr, I mean to say the EBPS, exhaust back pressure sensor, and tube. These can get clogged with soot and cause poor performance. The sensor is a bit pricey but it can be cleaned.

No need to replace the sensor!

Just wire the EBP valve to a power source and a switch.

On command back pressure valve. Makes warming the rig up during the winter a snap, and is a VEYy cheap alternative to an exhaust brake. :sombrero:

 

[jeepdreamer]

Crap....

Well,
As was to be expected I missed out. Oh well. So in an effort to do that horse thing...what is the thoughts of a 2000 F450 4x4??