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RE: "Little things to know" about 2500 series Suburbans/Yukons?
I had 2 Suburban 4x4 with the 7.4L one (99) I bought with 220K and the other I bought (96) for with 130K. Both of them were under $3.5K but needed a few odds and ends. The higher mileage one had leaking power steering hoses which isn't that uncommon. There brake system uses the power steering pump to power the brakes instead of a vacuum assist diaphragm so you really want to watch the fluid level. The older one had rear ac problems because the lines that run under the chassis to the rear were leaking. That is an expensive job so don't let a seller just tell you that it needs some freon. Be watchful the 7.4L tends to have hot start issues because of the OEM injectors and/or fuel pressure regulator. 2 out of 3 of my 7.4L tow vehicles had it but I just dealt with it. The common mod is newer Bosch 3 or 4 hole injectors that are common ($200-$300) across many cars (incl Mustang 5.0L) that people install with new fp regulator. Do not buy overhauled or rebuilt OEM's because the flaw is in the design not being dirty or clogged. They drip fuel in the manifold after shutting down which causes the truck to be overly rich at startup requiring longer cranking times. They both towed my 8K trailer with no problem.
Don't neglect to look at Excursions V-10 their prices are dropping if you don't mind higher miles. Locally I see them 3K-5K with miles under 200K. I also had one of them with 90K miles with the 4.30 rear gear that I put a lot of trouble free miles towing across the county. Either platform I consider great but you will get better mileage out of the Excursion and it has more interior room I believe.
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rowekmr
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05/16/13 03:25pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Seeking Comments on the Edge Evolution CS Diesel Controller
I was looking at the Edge products myself but am not clear what is the difference between the CS and the CTS model.
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rowekmr
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05/12/13 01:29am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Need a new 4L80E for my '93 3500 dually 7.4
TCI also has a reputation among racers for building strong transmissions I think they offer a 4L80 and also a 6 sp auto:
http://www.tciauto.com/
This place supposedly builds some strong transmissions also, here is their version of your trans:
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l80e.htm
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rowekmr
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04/30/13 10:03am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford 6.0 Scan Gauge II Question
I am in need of a monitor for my truck also. How do you like the Scan Gauge II? Do you recommend it? What others did you consider?
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rowekmr
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04/30/13 09:57am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: F350 6.0 -- help!
He is not the only one who recommends checking the cap for proper function. I did keep my old one to have it check someday but for a few dollars I didn't want to take a chance after watching the video myself and reading elsewhere as a recommendation.
I'm new to these but I thought the cap on the degass bottle is the release location for pressure if the cooling system pressure exceeds the critical point. Isn't that the same/similar function as the cap on a radiator? So wouldn't a weak or defective cap cause problems with boilovers which are not uncommon in these engines?
Wasn't there sometime about the radiator cap on the 6.0's also :h Now that you have the cooler and EGR replaced I would replace the cap and get the radiator filter kit installed BEFORE you do your trip!
Good luck and safe travels.
Don
Don't be fooled by Powerstrokehelp.com, the guy makes many mistakes in his videos and ultimetly is out to make a $$$ as I'm sure this is the source for your recommendation. The radiater cap pressure release on a degass bottle setup (air over fluid)is not as critical as a radiater cap mounter directly on the radiater.
Goes to show how many real 6.0 psd experts reside on this site.
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rowekmr
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04/27/13 09:37am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: F350 6.0 -- help!
I am ditto (minus 3) except I also like to have unexplainable challenges that many may pass up ;)
I am in the same boat as you and have doing a lot of research. You got the important things done, if your head gaskets are okay you might not have any more big problems.
The popular procedures that addresses the 6.0L shortcomings are:
New radiator cap
Make sure the coolant is fresh (changed religiously if Ford Gold). Many flush with Restore and/or VC9 and distilled water (not tap) or and replace with Ford or use ELC. The Ford Gold is exposed to a lot of heat through the coolers which can cause the silicates to drop out of suspension that can clog up the oil cooler which will back up the EGR cooler so some use the coolant filter to trap that or any unflushed sand from the casting procedures instead of them clogging up the coolers.
Don't idle it extended long times without every now and then getting on it to keep the VGT blades moving freely. Check and clean if necessary the EGR for proper function.
Get gauges to check on EOT and ECT or Ford has a later flash for the computer that will display the wrench on the dash with the delta is too much (IIRC >15F).
Only use Ford oil/fuel filters although many say Racor is the original maker of them and many say International sells the same filter for less.
Don't put a hot tune on it and/or beat on it without regards to temp limitations which many say is the catalyst for some of the major problems although many have been stock and developed the same problems. It seems these engines can be******shoot, some work and some don't.
Check the
:h man I wonder why you did that?
In answer to those who wonder why I did it anyway despite knowing there were issues...
1) I'm not very bright
2) I managed to convince myself that the problems were showing up early for most people and that probably I would not have the problem if mine was this old and still working well (hindsight...turns out the one I had replaced yesterday was actually not the original...went bad back in 2008 while still under warranty).
3) My old truck got totaled, and I just plain had to have a "new" truck. This seemed like the best one of the limited options in my area at the time.
4) I'm not very bright
FWIW, the dealer (Sunrise Ford) was one of the better ones I've been to. There was a problem on my trip the rest of the way home though...the hose for the turbo popped off and I had to do the last hour or so of the trip with no turbo. ;(
I will put that back on this evening after work, and then put this behind me for now...while I save up some money and watch for a good deal on a different truck.
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rowekmr
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04/26/13 05:45pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Cold Weather Warm up TImes for Powerstrokes
Do any gauges show oil temp and coolant temp? What about FICM voltage? I seem some advertise EGT but doesn't that take a bung to be installed in the exhaust manifold?
I plug in the block heater when around 32 degrees or less, and it has made a big difference in starting. Much easier and smoother on the engine. Doing that, I often only let it idle for a minute put two, but then take it slow and easy until it warms up more. I can really tell the difference in how it starts versus when I don't plug it in. One other suggestion; get an insight or scangauge to monitor temps and other aspects of your engine, and learn what to look for. May help you head off some problems.
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rowekmr
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04/21/13 06:54pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Expedition/Navigator Air Suspension Squat Question
I towed heavy on it that is one reason I wanted the air suspension when trying a 1/2 ton SUV instead of having a dedicated HD TV. All in all not a bad vehicle and if one learns about the system by doing a lot of research it isn't a bad thing. The rubber components are considered wearable so after 10 years and 130K it was due for some work. In hindsight there are places on the internet and EBay that sell Ford parts for 30% less or I could have went the aftermarket route.
I never took it that far on my EXPY. After mine failed about 1 month ago and reading all the problems you and many others experienced. I spent about $400 on strut replacement and bypassed the whole system. Any was done talking about repairs for suspension
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rowekmr
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04/21/13 05:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Expedition/Navigator Air Suspension Squat Question
Even though the episode is all over I want to give an update for anyone that might be in a similar problem.
After the compressor and height sensors replaced I still had problem. They switched out the solenoids for free and that didn't cure it. Spent many hours searching online and found a post by one Ford tech on a forum that says after changing many bags he still finds leak in the upper mount. I forgot the name of the component but I did print out the thread and gave it to the GM of the dealership and the tech replaced both of them and that was the cause all along. It is where the air spring meets the suspension and I think there is also an O ring there. That leaking caused the compressor to go which sent shrapnel into the airbags which caused the solenoids problem. All in all I spent almost 2/3 of the price of the truck on the air suspension and looking at all the other electronic gizmos that could fail I sold it (in working condition). Until I can fix some of the problems in a car I can't afford a Lincoln!
If the relays are good, bags don't leak, compressor is good and the lines are good this mount can be the source. The tech said it is temperature dependent because there is metal, rubber and Orings which in time develop wear and space for leaks.
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rowekmr
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04/21/13 03:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Cold Weather Warm up TImes for Powerstrokes
How long should I let my 6.0L warm up after cold starts before driving it. I was told to cycle the glow plugs twice so it always starts quickly but around 30F-50F but it idles rough intially. When I first got it I didn't plug it up but let it warm up for a few minutes and when I drove it was a different beast. It was underpowered and wouldn't hit the higher rpms until a few miles/minutes driving.
I did a lot of online searching and it appears the 6.0L can have cold start issues depending on the FICM programming, oil viscosity, and conditions of injectors (stiction?) starting with the least cost I changed to full synthetic (Ford 10w30 didn't have 5w40), all new Ford filters and added Archoil 9100 oil and 6200 fuel additives and I plug it up for now.
It still runs idles a little rough initially when cold but doesn't smoke and doesn't drive as bad after 10 minutes but it sill doesn't smooth out unless it idles for 15 minutes. I didn't think this was this normal but read others do the same but have been looking at the injectors next. I had it at Ford and told them to check FICM and battery voltage, fuel pressure and injectors and they said the EGR was stuck/bad, batteries were going to need service soon so after replacing all of that they said 4 inj were out of balance but that was before the oil/additive change.
I used to drive medium duty trucks and the owner of the outfit would start them early morning and they would be warm and toasty when we got in so not sure about cold start issues.
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rowekmr
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04/21/13 03:19pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Front Excursion/SD Power Seat questions
Thanks I forgot they were available online. I looked on Ebay and they want $30-$60 for these. Unfortunately I took it to the stealership for issues including that so I will wait to see what is the problem.
If this works, this should be a link to the owner's manuals for your truck. In the 4th printing, fuses are on pages 187-192. Fuse for left hand power seats are on page 191 and for the adjustable pedals, page 190.
Hope that helps.
Randy
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rowekmr
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04/02/13 08:46am |
Tow Vehicles
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Front Excursion/SD Power Seat questions
Hello
Just picked up my 2003 Excursion (my 2nd) and the driver's power seat doesn't move forward or back nor do the power pedals. This wouldn't normally be a problem since I am the only one driving it but the seat is all the way forward and I am 6'4". The passenger power seat and heat works and the driver's heated seat button work but neither buttom or knob for driver seat movement fore or back. I don't have the owners manual and wanted to find out which fuse should I check. Could it be the motor or something else? What other Ford model seats are a direct bolt it with no modifications (SD?)
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rowekmr
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03/31/13 12:25am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Chevy Suburban Vs Ford Expedtion for tow vehicle ????
I towed my trailer briefly with a 03 Navigator (300 hp/4 sp auto) with no problems. My trailer is heavier than yours but I moved a lot of the stuff out of the forward storage to the rear to keep the tongue weight from exceeding the hitch rating. Up to now I only used 3/4 or 1 tons but I tried this and it was capable.
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rowekmr
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03/24/13 04:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: buying a Ford 6.0???
The majority of the ones I see advertised locally have 180K-220K miles on the odometer. Is there a point in mileage where the gremlins have worked themselves out/got repaired or can the problems occur at any time/mileage?
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rowekmr
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03/04/13 06:16am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 98 lincoln navigator rear suspension
I owned a 03 Navigator and had some air suspension problems so I scoured the forums looking for info/advice and never read of air bags blowing out although it sounds plausible. Most of the problems come from leaks either in the bags or the system itself, compressor failure from the leaks which overwork the compressor, or electrical problems in the solenoids, height sensors or relays. My problem the dealership couldn't pin point until I printed out what I read on a forum of problems and gave to the GM. There are sources for Ford parts at much lower prices, aftermarket suppliers and of course the conversion kits so you have plenty of choices.
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rowekmr
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03/02/13 04:36pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 7.3L tuners & fuel economy
Thanks everyone for their submission. I became skeptical when I heard 23-24 because that is near what my much smaller/lighter Explorer. I am going to ask how did he figure the mpg trhough hand calculations or using the lie o meter!
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rowekmr
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01/25/13 12:16pm |
Tow Vehicles
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7.3L tuners & fuel economy
I was talking to someone selling their 00 F250 (7.3L) 4x4 CC SRW and he claims to get 18-19 city and 23-24 mpg's bone stock with an Edge tuner. Do the tuners really improve economy that much or does the overhead readout just gets recalibrated with the new tune and shows higher than attainable numbers? I have already asked what mileage people typically get with their 7.3l's and most said 15-18 mpg's with a few claiming 20+mpg. I recall reading awhile back that gassers with tuners had inflated numbers on their readout and wondered if it is the same phenomena on this diesel?
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rowekmr
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01/25/13 04:30am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Just bought 03 2500 suburban 8.1 for steal !!!!
Congrats. You beat me to it if that was the one on Ebay. I called him awhile back when he had a higher price but I snoozed on that one.
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rowekmr
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01/20/13 11:38pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Looking at Excursion 7.3L with questions
Thanks everyone for the info. I am negotiating with the owner now. I just wanted to make sure I didn't step into something above my head.
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rowekmr
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01/20/13 11:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Looking at Excursion 7.3L with questions
Hello
I came across a 00 Excursion with 200K miles from a dedicated diesel truck owner. He had it 9 months but wants to downsize. He said the 4x4 didn't work and he replaced it with Manual Warn locking hubs. I understand that I have to get out to switch them and that won't always be convenient in the snow patches here or on the boat ramps. I was wondering could I have the Ford parts put back on to have it back to operating it from the cab?
Also on start up he says it produces white smoke for a few minutes and thinks it is either a O ring on a injector, glow plug or glow plug relay. What does white smoke at start up mean? He says it will do this when it isn't plugged up on a cold day otherwise there is no smoke.
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rowekmr
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01/19/13 06:31pm |
Tow Vehicles
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