7.3 Engine Trouble - Montana Owners Club

virgil47 · 06-30-2005, 02:25 AM

Well I never expected engine trouble from the Powerstroke but it happened. Along I-10, very level highway, moving along at about 60mph towing the 5er and heard a loud popping sound from the engine. Pulled over and found no fluid leaks, no increase in exhaust temp, no increase in water temp just the skipping and "popping" noise. We limped on in to Lake City, Fl on 7 cylinders and got to an RV park.

At the local Ford dealer, we discovered that a "leaking" fuel injector had caused a situation called "hydrolock" and had broken two rocker arms and bent two push rods in the number 3 cylinder on the right side. The popping noise was the exhaust valve was stuck closed and was causing blowback through the air intake. 5 days and $1100 later, we were on our way. So far (400 miles), the rapair has held.

What an experience for our first time out!

Charlie · 06-30-2005, 03:34 AM

A few days ago I felt the 7.3PSD "miss" twice. Thinking I had a fuel problem I changed the filter and the next day the engine died at a red light. The problem was not serious, but according to the mechanic is common for the 7.3's, an electronic component called a cam shaft sensor. Repairs were covered under the 100K mile engine warranty.

stiles watson · 06-30-2005, 03:38 AM

Thanks to both of you for the information. I will be on the look out with my 7.3 L Ford.

lightningjack11 · 06-30-2005, 04:30 AM

Me too. Good info. I hear some of the old PSD guys keep a CPS in their glove box. I think I will get one. It is on the front of the engine and easy to replace.

Sorry about your problems Virgil. Never heard of that problem before.

Montana_2785 · 06-30-2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by lightningjack11

Me too. Good info. I hear some of the old PSD guys keep a CPS in their glove box. I think I will get one. It is on the front of the engine and easy to replace.

Sorry about your problems Virgil. Never heard of that problem before.

Thanks for reminding me. I have almost 70,000 on the clock and it wouldn't hurt to get the backup. Warranty would cover it, but the time savings on the side of the road would be well worth the expense.

BTW: Navastar as the exact part (Ford rebrands it) and it costs way less than what Ford wants.

Eric

tollmann · 06-30-2005, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the info Eric. At 105k miles my cps went south on me. Cost $$$ at local Ford dealer to replace. I'm just glad it happened near home and in a non towing condition. I will be picking up a spare as soon as I figure out where the darn thing is.

RVBUDDY · 06-30-2005, 01:36 PM

Do a search on www.thedieselstop.com

I believe you can get pix. On mine it is located on the front of the engine just to the left of the fan pully as you observe standing in front of the engine. (passenger side)

Here is a manual from International. you can probably find the location here

http://www.nav-international.com.br/...rStroke/hs.asp

hodag · 07-01-2005, 03:34 AM

i found this posted sometime back. site did show picture, location and size socket to use. have a spare in glovebox.

trukdoc · 07-01-2005, 03:20 PM

I have changed a bunch of them. One way to know for sure it is the Cam sensor is the Tachometer will get erratic and then instantly drop to zero as it dies rather than follow the engine speed down. A 1/4 drive ratchet and a 10 MM socket I found the best tool to get the one bolt out.

Thunderman · 07-02-2005, 02:36 AM

Napa has the cps sensor also. Locally Napa was cheaper than Ford, around $130.00.

Montana_107 · 07-03-2005, 05:41 PM

I picked my up at powerstroke.com for $87 plus shipping. Replaced mine at 51,000 miles and put the old one in the glove box in case of emergency. Good place to buy parts as they are usually 25 to 50% cheaper than Auto Zone, and a lot less than Ford.

fknipfer

sreigle · 07-04-2005, 08:06 AM

Fknipfer, is powerstroke.com correct? I can't get that site to come up. I was going to bookmark it for future reference for cheaper parts, just in case. Thanks.

Montana_107 · 07-04-2005, 12:56 PM

Sorry,
Forgot one word powerstrokeshop.com. Go there you'll like it.

fknipfer

sreigle · 07-05-2005, 08:37 AM

Thanks.

pud2 · 07-12-2005, 02:54 PM

This is a problem with the p.s. 7.3 but is spread out. I had the same thing happen to mine a lot of miles back and no problem since it was changed. Knock on wood. Great engines.Get one for spare not hard to change and not expensive.
99 250 p.s. banks power plus system towing machine.

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