I am looking at buying a 1997 Ford F250 Diesel 7.3L it has 200k miles. Till now I have had only gas engines but have always been a truck guy.

Please provide any information you know about this truck including: gas mileage, life expectancy, upkeep costs, major problems to look for anything at all

Thank you

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nrimkus

I am looking at buying a 1997 Ford F250 Diesel 7.3L it has 200k miles. Till now I have had only gas engines but have always been a truck guy.

Please provide any information you know about this truck including: gas mileage, life expectancy, upkeep costs, major problems to look for anything at all

Thankyou

---

Gasoline engines are cleaner than diesel engines, but diesel engines are more efficient as they burn more fuel. Due to their efficiency at burning fuel, diesel engines can be driven longer with higher miles than a gasoline engine, but the cost of repairs are quite high.

Fuel prices also seem to fluctuate more with diesel than with gasoline. In some places, like California, diesel is more expensive than gasoline.

I would also consider getting a newer diesel model(2000 +) with less miles than an older 90's model. Vehicles made after 2000 have been refined by the auto makers and tend to have less problems than 90's models.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DanPatrick10

Gasoline engines are cleaner than diesel engines, but diesel engines are more efficient as they burn more fuel. Due to their efficiency at burning fuel, diesel engines can be driven longer with higher miles than a gasoline engine, but the cost of repairs are quite high.

Fuel prices also seem to fluctuate more with diesel than with gasoline. In some places, like California, diesel is more expensive than gasoline.

I would also consider getting a newer diesel model(2000 +) with less miles than an older 90's model. Vehicles made after 2000 have been refined by the auto makers and tend to have less problems than 90's models.

---

I drive a `96 & a `97 Ford F-350 power stroke. The only problem tha I have had is the front U-joint is out. That is the only problem I have had. It gets about 19 mpg highway I think about 16 city.

If you pull or haul ,diesel beats gas engines anytime.

1st guy doesn't know anything about diesel's, production quality and/or refinements before and after the year 2000, in which the year has nothing to do with better-or-worse than diesel type motors. The 7.3l found in the 1994/95-01/02' trucks have the navstar t444e international motor. Ford uses, labels it powerstroke diesel, hence the "psd" often seen on the net. The t444e is also the same motor used in the blue bird buses that pick up your kids in the morning. Fords run a t444 in their vehicles, the E stands for electronic controlled turbo. Fords are pedestal controlled, where the actuator or wastegate is built into the housing of the mount that the turbo bolts into. The internals are all the same, the blocks, components, heads, injectors (AA - code for single shot) all the same. The years vary a little, like the 99 and up run a slightly different turbo, though a big part to change, the mapping of the compressors are similar to previous years of the vehicles, so power and performance stay relatively the same. The turbos are actually close, garrets from the factory, 94-97 use a gt38 while the 99 up uses a gt38p. Most 7.3l diesels with die around 400/425k miles if properly taken care of. If not, 250k one can over run the motor. Most people find themselves with their psd running strong around 325k miles and often sell just for a the wanting of a new truck.

2002-Up ford switched over to the 6.0l due to the 7.3l not being able to pass government emission testing. The 6.0l being a new motor, is more efficient but very much plagued with more serious problems. The heads in the 6.0l often fail due to design flaw, injectors fail sooner, etc, etc, etc. The 6.0l does make more power and is quieter and more efficient though. Often people still prefer the older 7.3l and many true ford diesel owners hail the 7.3l as the king of diesel motors. International has sold over 1 billion 7.3l engines for various applications.

I rather not get into the quality of cummins diesels which are great, duramax 6.6l engines, which are also great, and newer 6.4l and 6.7l diesel motors, all also great. Each motor though, like all motors are prone to problems always.

And diesels don't burn more fuel because it's efficient as noted by the first guy. Diesel actually burns slower than gas as well as gas units burn hotter than diesel units... buy the truck.

Ask about the OIL PAN. The Big block Fors ( Gas and Diesel) the pans rust out and are EXPENSIVE to replace on a 4x4. I have a 2001 Crew Cab Dully love it BTW but the pan had to be replaces and to do it on a crew cab the engine had to be pulled. I live in New England so anti jell and Block Heaters are the call for Winter. I had the 7.3 gas it got 8-9 mpg, my Diesel gets 14.5. other thent he 15-20 second WAIT before you crank/start it and I let it idel for at least a min before I shut it down, it love it. Just takes a little getting used to on the acceleration part.

Good luck