Off topic of F150s... 7.3 Issue
11-13-2012, 04:13 PM
#1
Off topic of F150s... 7.3 Issue
Ok guys, usually Im on here about my F150... I know many of you have experience with 7.3 diesels also. Here is my question.
I have a 2003 E350 7.3 Diesel Turbo... It is one of my ambulances on my fleet. It currently has 280,000 miles on it and had a rebuild about 120,000 miles ago. It DID NOT get a new turbo, just the engine rebuilt. Here recently, it has consuming MASSIVE amounts of oil. Im talkin 13 to 14 quarts in a matter of hours. We have been doing oil consumptions tests on it, and now we finally decided to park it. Today I decided to pull the doghouse to see if I could spot an oil leak. There is no oil dripping on the ground. However, when I pulled the doghouse to gain better access to the motor, I could see a little bit of oil down in the valley. I filled it up again with oil... Nearly 14 quarts again and started it up. I could NOT see any oil leaking like a steady stream, but when I ran my hand around the turbo where the exhaust hoses hook up, I had a good little bit of oil on my hand. Now, is it possible for the oil to be going through the turbo and burn out of the exhaust pipe? I ran my finger around the exhaust pipe and did not find any oil, but yet it is smoking like crazy. Where could all this oil be going? I still have oil pressure and it still runs like a champ when there is enough oil in it.
What do I need to check first in order to see where the oil is going? I checked with our local ford dealer and a turbo is 950 bucks with exchange. Me and one of the employees can install it ourselves, but before I start, I just want to know if that much oil can burn through the turbo???
We've checked the main seals which is leaking a drip or two but nothing like the amount it is using.
The other day, it ran great for about 8 hours and did not consume at all, running normal calls. Then they had to run one call pretty hard on the way to the ER and that is when it went down right after they left the ER coming back to their station. They checked the oil at the ER, added about 4 quarts which brought up the oil level to the bottom of the hash mark. Within ten miles of leaving the ER it had already consumed almost all the oil in the truck. Weird huh?
What are your thoughts on this?
If the moderators feel like this post does not need to be here, please inform me of where I can ask this question. Just thought I would ask the members in here first because a lot of them have diesel experience.
I have a 2003 E350 7.3 Diesel Turbo... It is one of my ambulances on my fleet. It currently has 280,000 miles on it and had a rebuild about 120,000 miles ago. It DID NOT get a new turbo, just the engine rebuilt. Here recently, it has consuming MASSIVE amounts of oil. Im talkin 13 to 14 quarts in a matter of hours. We have been doing oil consumptions tests on it, and now we finally decided to park it. Today I decided to pull the doghouse to see if I could spot an oil leak. There is no oil dripping on the ground. However, when I pulled the doghouse to gain better access to the motor, I could see a little bit of oil down in the valley. I filled it up again with oil... Nearly 14 quarts again and started it up. I could NOT see any oil leaking like a steady stream, but when I ran my hand around the turbo where the exhaust hoses hook up, I had a good little bit of oil on my hand. Now, is it possible for the oil to be going through the turbo and burn out of the exhaust pipe? I ran my finger around the exhaust pipe and did not find any oil, but yet it is smoking like crazy. Where could all this oil be going? I still have oil pressure and it still runs like a champ when there is enough oil in it.
What do I need to check first in order to see where the oil is going? I checked with our local ford dealer and a turbo is 950 bucks with exchange. Me and one of the employees can install it ourselves, but before I start, I just want to know if that much oil can burn through the turbo???
We've checked the main seals which is leaking a drip or two but nothing like the amount it is using.
The other day, it ran great for about 8 hours and did not consume at all, running normal calls. Then they had to run one call pretty hard on the way to the ER and that is when it went down right after they left the ER coming back to their station. They checked the oil at the ER, added about 4 quarts which brought up the oil level to the bottom of the hash mark. Within ten miles of leaving the ER it had already consumed almost all the oil in the truck. Weird huh?
What are your thoughts on this?
If the moderators feel like this post does not need to be here, please inform me of where I can ask this question. Just thought I would ask the members in here first because a lot of them have diesel experience.
11-13-2012, 04:25 PM
#3
It has a light smoke to it constantly but when you rev it up, it really starts smoking. Ive been told about the seals.. I mean the truck still runs great the turbo still functions like its supposed to, but just loosing oil BAD. To replace the seals, the turbo would basically have to be rebuilt right? Would I be better to have it rebuilt or just go ahead and buy another one?
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11-13-2012, 09:14 PM
#9
Ill check in the morning. I think we're going to pull the turbo just to see what's going on with it. We just dropped close to 30, 000 bucks for a new long block 6.0 and 7.3 for other trucks. Im trying to stay within my budget for this one because we cant afford to drop another engine in right now. I think that if we can find the oil leak, then we can save the engine and come out a hell of a lot cheaper than 12, 500 for a new motor LOL.
11-13-2012, 09:50 PM
#10
Former Powerstroker
Its either the turbo center section which is cheap under 200 cheap.
or injector orings. Those are about 125 or so.
Both cause smokey exhaust and high oil loss without visible leaks.
There is always the others like valve seals and all but it has to be tied in to the hpop system to leak that much that fast.
or injector orings. Those are about 125 or so.
Both cause smokey exhaust and high oil loss without visible leaks.
There is always the others like valve seals and all but it has to be tied in to the hpop system to leak that much that fast.