Buying a high mileage diesel

Cincy Aquaholic

Cincy Aquaholic

Active Member
Mar 15, 2009
1,329
Cincinnati
Boat Info
290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
Engines
Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
You'll get a lot of different views on this one..........

I used to use an F350 Dually for moving equipment. It was a normally aspirated 7.3, not a power stroke and the damned thing would pull your house if you could hook up to it. My issue with the dual wheel vs single wheel was that for all practical purposes, it makes it a single use vehicle.......forget running by the drive thru window at the bank, or dropping off the mail and drive thru windows at fast food joints was a nightmare. My other problem with the dual rear wheels was that unless you have a serious load on the rear of the truck, you could get stuck in the Walmart parking lot if it was wet, and forget getting off pavement in a dew or light rain. But, if you need towing stability a dually can't be beat.

I replaced the dually with a 3/4 ton turbo-diesel 4 wheel drive and it suits my purposes much better. In 4 wheel low it will get a load moving much better than the dually and is much more driveable for general purposes. I usually pull a 24' tilt deck equipment trailer with 10-12K lbs worth of tractor, bobcat or backhoe or other junk for sale on it.

I could not find a 3/4 ton 7.3 ford that was not a power stroke. My preference, since I don't run races and don't need speed was to avoid the potential maintenance cost of a Powerstroke. If you need the power, then they are great trucks until you need to get into the fuel system. The injectors are located under the valve cover and there is a wiring harness that runs thru the valve cover gasket.......valve cover gaskets are about $300. Just keep in mind that, while diesels run a long time, repairing a later electronic controlled engine can be very expensive. For this reason, if I were looking for an occasional use truck to pull a moderate load, I'd look for an older 7.3, a pre '95 6.5 GM turbo diesel or a pre-95 Dodge/Cummins, all of which are mechanical engines.
 
The 7.3 Powerstroke is a great engine and will last for a long time if it has been maintained well. They like regular oil changes using quality oil and regular fuel filter changes. There are a couple of weaknesses - one is the fact they are electronic so they have a couple of sensors which can go out, the other is a transmission issue which is a mechanical diode which can go out. The sensor which appears to give the most problems is the CAS - crank angle sensor - once it goes out the truck does not run. The good news is they aren't expensive and are pretty easy to replace. The diode issues have mostly been worked out at this point. The problem years were in the 2000-2002 year range - problems were resolved by 2003 and any repairs done now are using updated parts which are pretty bulletproof. I'd stay away from the 6.0 - but other than that you're looking at getting a great tow vehicle. If you find one you like you can get the OASIS report done at a Ford dealer which gives you a printout of all of the warranty and dealer service work done on the truck by just giving them the VIN.

Frank is spot on with the DRW vs. SRW issue - drivability becomes a serious issue unless you are just using it to tow. The SRW doesn't give up much in towing - the biggest issue you may find is the factory hitches are usually only rated up to about 12,500 lbs - some were 15,000 lbs and that usually requires weight distribution to accomplish. Not sure what the 290 weighs - but I think I'm at about 11k with my 270 which about maxes out my Excursion when I have other stuff in the truck as well.
 
All excellent points above. I wouldn't be afraid of a high-mileage diesel just because of the mileage. A diesel basically runs light-grade oil through it for fuel so it's lubricated much better than a gasser. But, that's really just one little piece to the puzzle.

As pointed out above, there are more "possible" problems with electronically controlled engines. Not that it means to stay away from them - just need to know what you're getting into it. For example, like Frank said the electronic injected 6.5's have a problem - but it can be easily overcome. The main culprit is the Fuel Solenoid Drive which is mounted on the IP - it gets hot in the valley of the engine. Moving the FSD to a cooler location solves that.

Now, that's just one little example. But, joining a Ford Diesel forum and continuing your research before you buy may be a good idea. I can't give any specific info (like given above by TD and Frank) to the Fords, but a dedicated forum will give you plenty more info.

I'm on "thetruckstop.us" for 6.5's, among others, but they have Dodge and Ford sections, as well. I can't comment on how good the Ford or Dodge section is as I don't frequent that section.

My main point is that all engines have their idiosynchrosies. Some more than others. Researching it (as it sounds like you're doing) is the best thing you can do. Good luck!

I can tell you this, though... Once you go diesel, you never go back! :smt001
 
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Go for it. I have an 01 F-250 with the 7.3. It just rolled 286K and is running strong. I do all my maintnance and other than small expected things (water pump, alternator) it's been great. The transmission was the weak link on those trucks but I'm on the orignal...don't know how.
 
Thanks all. Helpful information as always. I'm going to continue to research it and hopefully jump on something that presents a good deal. Biggest dilemma seems to be dually or not. This thing will really only be used for towing and maybe a trip to Home Depot now and then so parking it shouldn't be a big deal. Honestly, not sure if I even need 4x4. Found this one that seems well priced and clean. Based on specs I saw its rated to tow 12,500 without a 5th wheel. That's cutting it close if not a bit under my amount.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=269845453&dealer_id=56456546&car_year=2002&rdm=1268011436684&lastStartYear=1981&model=F250&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=Diesel&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=2066148&showZipError=n&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=45202&advanced=y&only_photo=1&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=15&standard=false
 
I would definitely get a 4X4 for pulling a boat. It can make a world of difference at a launch ramp.... especially with a dually.

I am very familiar with the 7.3 powerstroke. They are not very complex at all. The trouble spots are the Camshaft Position Sensor, wiring harness plug under the valve covers, and transmission (definitely run a trans temp guage and preferably a bigger cooler). The first two are cheap and easy. The last can be fixed permanently if done right. Injectors are reliable if you keep the fuel filter clean, and not too bad to replace. The vlave cover gaskets are expensive, but re-useable if you don't damage them.

The truck wrapped around the 7.3 is very robust and reliable.
 
Some good advice above - I'd recommend the 4x4 as well. The extra traction as well as low range can definitely be your friend on a slippery ramp pulling out a heavy load. The trans cooler is a good suggestion - a late model 6.0 cooler is a popular replacement as it's factory and almost twice the size.

A good forum to investigate is this: http://www.ford-trucks.com/ Lots of knowledge there along with good technical articles, etc.
 
4X4 is a must......get a chevy.
 
I don't have anything to technical to add, except our hauler used that same Chevy that hauled your boat, he said Chevy was the way to go. When I was looking a few months back at the Fords, nothing but issues with the 6.0 so stay away. The 7.3l is bulletproof from what I hear. Miranda's Grandpa has a '99 7.3 and not one issue with the powertrain, and that truck sits alot.
 
I'm a Ford guy so I'll ignore those Chevy comments....

All kidding aside... if you're looking for an older diesel - I'd avoid the 6.0 Powerstroke as well as the early Duramax as both have enough issues that can cause expensive repairs. The newer Duramax with the Allison transmission combo is tough to beat - it comes down to what you like wrapped around the powertrain. I personally like the look and quality of Ford vs. the Chevy and Dodge.

So - Any 7.3 - either Powerstroke or not, any Cummins powered truck, and a later Duramax. If you can increase your budget then the 6.4 Powerstroke is a great engine but does not get the higher MPGs a lot of users expected. I'm not a fan of either the GM 6.2 or 6.5 - but your own research and what you like will help you make that determination.
 
fire- I thought he used a Dodge Cummins? I could be wrong. I didn't pay too close attention to the truck.

After doing some research on buying I decided I would try two things first . . . 1) post an ad on Craigslist looking to find someone who would be willing to rent their work truck (not their pride and joy $50k garage queen) for several weekends a year and 2) call Enterprise rental and see what it cost to rent their diesel pick ups.

My findings . . . 1) cannot believe the number of responses offering to rent their truck. No hard numbers discussed yet but several people willing to talk.

2) Better yet, my local Enterprise has a fleet of 2010 F250 Powerstoke 4x4's. The rate $39.00 per day! That gets you 100 free miles a day then .39 cents above that. So basically a trip to lake cumberland for me for 3 days is gonna cost me less than $200 to drive a brand new truck! I think that makes way more sense then dropping $8k-10k on a truck at this point. Maybe next year. But once I get the trailer I think doing the rental 3-4 times year is the way to go. I'd prefer not to deal with someone's personal vehicle and insurance issues etc.
 
Cincy Aquaholic said:
2) Better yet, my local Enterprise has a fleet of 2010 F250 Powerstoke 4x4's. The rate $39.00 per day! That gets you 100 free miles a day then .39 cents above that. So basically a trip to lake cumberland for me for 3 days is gonna cost me less than $200 to drive a brand new truck! I think that makes way more sense then dropping $8k-10k on a truck at this point. Maybe next year. But once I get the trailer I think doing the rental 3-4 times year is the way to go. I'd prefer not to deal with someone's personal vehicle and insurance issues etc.
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That sounds like a great deal! If you don't need another vehicle and wont be towing a lot this sounds like a great way to go. The only downside is if they didn't have one when you needed it - but maybe make reservations for the times you plan to use it - esp. holiday weekends.
 
Wow, I would never have guessed it would have been that cheap. For only towing a few times a year, that certainly sounds like a good deal. My only concerns would be the same as TD had.

And, hey, TD... don't knock these 6.5's! They can actually be set up rather nicely. Granted, it does take some modifications. :smt001

But, in stock form, I agree with you - 7,000 to 8,000 pounds is about their limit.

Cincy, good luck! Sounds like you've got an exciting year ahead of you!

Oh, my personal opinion on a dually... I think somewhere between 10,000 to 12,000 pounds is when you seriously want to consider it. Above 12,000 I'd say it's all but a necessity.
 
Good advice on reservations well in advance. I'll probably sit down this weekend and pick the 3 for sure trips and book them. Also, told a couple of the Craigslist responders that I greatly appreciated their offers and would like to stay in touch for back up.

Ok, now on to forking over the cash for the trailer . . ..
 
I had a buddy that had looked into renting a truck for towing. He claimed everybody said they would only allow towing if it was one of their trailers. That seemed odd to me, but that is what he said.
 
Hmmm - that could bring up an insurance question since the trailer/boat is usually covered by the tow vehicle while it is hooked up - at least it is on my policy.
 
tdappleman said:
Hmmm - that could bring up an insurance question since the trailer/boat is usually covered by the tow vehicle while it is hooked up - at least it is on my policy.
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Just for another view on that... any trailer I hook up to is covered by my auto policy, but not what is sitting on the trailer.

Now, if I rent a truck... does my insurance carry over and cover me the same way as if it was my own truck? Not sure.
 
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