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RE: Ford 7.3 diesel Gem module
If your speedometer goes out and you get a trouble code (flashing OD light on your shifter) you might first change out the Vehicle Speed Sensor on top of the rear end. They are realatively cheap- maybe $15 from NAPA? I think the stealership charged $25 for it last time I replaced it. For a few bucks, it may be worth a shot. Check Ford Truck Enthusiasts website for pics.
A whole new GEM module seems like it might be a 'shotgun' fix to me.
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MikeSD
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07/25/08 12:08pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Biodeisel for Tow vehicle?
I have used 20% biodiesel in my truck on several occasions both towing and empty. I saw no difference in power or mileage both towing or empty when running the biodiesel. If it was easier to find I would probably use it more often.
X2
I have run B20 biodiesel exclusively for the past year, and I have had zero issues whatsoever. No fuel line leaks, no clogged filters, no decrease in power or mileage...... I'm only experiencing the positive benefits of b20.. Increased lubricity, slightly quieter, a bit lower EGTs. B20 costs exactly the same as regular diesel here.
I have no plans to run anything but B20 as long as it is readily available. My truck loves it.
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MikeSD
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07/25/08 12:01pm |
Towing
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RE: Bilstein Shocks
They are awesome, arent they?
I put new Bilsteins on my truck right about 6 weeks ago.
Phenomenal.
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MikeSD
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06/12/08 12:39pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: What truck should I consider?
I think that you should definitely look at 3/4 ton trucks, and the longer wheelbase the better. Even on flat land, that's quite a bit of weight to ask a 1/2 ton truck manage (merge into traffic, stop, etc). The longer the wheelbase of the tow vehicle, the more stable the whole rig will be.
IMHO, anyway.
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MikeSD
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06/10/08 01:37pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Cost of ownership 7.3 vs 6.0, What's your opinion?
I know a bunch of guys who tow with 6.0s and have never had an issue with them. I have also run into people randomly who drive them, and some have bad reports. My advice would be to get the Ford dealer to give you an OASIS report on either model you happen to be looking at. This will show you warranty work, etc that has been done on the vehicle in question. You can then get a reasonable picture in your mind as to what kind of issues (if any) the vehicle has had.
The 7.3 vs. 6.0 issue is steeped in emotion and controversy, and you will have to weed through it and form your own opinion. Others have offered a few good web sites specific to Fords that you should investigate and ask around. I'd also like to suggest Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums. Just Google it and you'll find them.
Good folks over there, and happy to help.
As far as cost of ownership is concerned, again, look at the OASIS report for signs of trouble and note the post above about cost of routine maintenance parts.
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MikeSD
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06/10/08 12:58pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Topsail Hill SP
There are no fire rings in thecamp sites. At least not last year, and I would bet that has not changed.
Course, it was also about 98* when we were there, so we did not miss it-
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MikeSD
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05/25/08 06:32pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Topsail in June
Me and my gang will be there June 2 - 8.
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MikeSD
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05/14/08 12:57pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: pre 6.0 psd
The 7.3L can be tweaked very nicely if you wish to do so. Although, it's pretty good (not to mention bulletproof) totally stock as well.
If you get one, go to powerstrokeshop.com and pick up a new CPS or two.
Go to Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Powerstroke Nation, or DieselStop websites to learn how to change one. (They are under recall from Ford for this, and you can get one free if you have the time, but I'd just as soon do it myself. I've heard some stories about trucks not coming back quite right after getting the new CPS done at the dealer).
Also, before buying, scoot under the truck and have a look at the condition of the oil pan. Some trucks from northern states tend to have significant rust on the pans. This can be fixed with sandpaper and POR-15 if not too bad. My first 7.3 was from TN, and had zero rust. Just something to think about.
The weak link in a 7.3 PSD is generally the transmission. Gotta keep up with the maintenance, fluid changes, etc.
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MikeSD
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05/14/08 12:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2003 Ford 6.0 Diesel Problems/Corrections
As others have stated, get an Oasis report from the dealer. In fact, the salesman should be able to pull one up from his office.
This will show you any warrantied repair work that has been done to this VIN no. vehicle, and should give you a pretty good indication of what you might be able to expect.
It may well be that someone has traded it in because it is going off warranty (2003 to 2008 = end of 5 year warranty from factory).
As far as mods go, I would not mess with it if your reports come back clean. One good thing to do with it if you ever get to that point that you really want to do anything to it would be to put new ARP head studs/bolts in place of the stock ones.
You can go to Ford Truck Enthusiasts website or DieselStop.com as well for specific questions (PS: folks on there will get you an OASIS if you ask nicely ;))
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MikeSD
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02/05/08 01:02pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: All Right You Win
You are describing the exact condition under which I bought my current truck. I live in Nashville, and found the truck I wanted for sale on Ebay at a dealer in Atlanta.
I knew it was exactly what I wanted, and there were lots of good pics in the sale ad, so I pretty much knew what to expect. At that point, it was just a situation where I would lose a day of drive time and $75 in fuel if I decided I did not want to follow through once I got there.
If it is a good dealer, you probably won't have issues if you research properly and look before you leap. Good luck!
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MikeSD
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01/29/08 12:27pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Bad diesel fuel???
ok, i used my buddys code reader and it read a P0234 TC Engine Overboost Condition. Truck is stock except for 5in mbrp w/ cat delete and aem brute force hd intake. no tuner/chip installed. so shall my buddy and i eliminate the bad fuel symptom? this happened on flat roads when i noticed the CEL come on.
Pardon me for asking, but were you and your buddy really getting into it after filling up? The overboost code makes me ask that....
and i can't remember, did you state that your truck(s) is/are chipped or tuned?
In my experience, an overboost condition typicall has to do with an added performance tune, or other alterations that might make the truck's PCM believe it is performing outside the boundaries of the stock tune......
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MikeSD
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12/04/07 10:00pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 7.3 turbo F250....Now what?
CPS = cam position sensor. The 7.3 engines are known to eat these up. Not all of them, of course, but a significant number seem to have a problem. The CPS used to be quite high in cost, but Ford has introduced a new type that is quite inexpensive, perhaps $30. Find them on ebay. Many owners of 7.3 Navistar engines (like me) carry a spare. Although I have not needed to changed mine, a 10mm socket and a screwdriver is all that is needed to change it. A common symptom of a bad CPS is unexplained engine stoppages, erratic engine performance, and the tach does not move when cranking. When experiencing such misbehaviors, many 7.3 owners first change the CPS, as it is probably the cheapest and fastest fix of such symptoms if you are lucky enough that that is the problem. The folks on
http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/
have lots of info on how to replace the CPS, along with solutions for many other maladies.
As this poster and others have stated, your best insurance is to get a spare CPS, learn where it is, and also carry a flathead screwdriver and a 10 mm socket with a small extension. If you know in advance where it is and what to do, it is a 5 minute job, and you go from broken down to back in business in a hurry.
Go to Powerstrokeshop.com and you can grab one for about $15 plus S/H.
The 7.3 is a fantastic towing motor, have fun!
Ford truck Enthusiast's website is also a great place for info on your truck. www.ford-trucks.com
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MikeSD
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12/04/07 09:50pm |
Towing
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