Ford 7.3 Ltr Diesel Owners Be Prepared

[deminimis]

Hey Folks:

The waterpump on my E-350 7.3 liter diesel is failing. These tend to fail around 80k miles it seems. The cost of a new waterpump at Napa and other parts stores runs nearly twice what the same part costs on the net (with shipping). Since lots of folks (like me) can't wait 10-14 days for a waterpump, the parts stores have you by the short hairs. If your 7.3 is approaching 80k miles, might plan ahead and save $100 (half a tank of fuel) and order from the likes of Northern Parts or whoever.

Now, of the 4-5 local parts stores I called for a water pump, all had them in stock (new, I'd recomend you never buy reman'd). Here's the rub: None had the serp belt or any of the coolant hoses (did not check with the local Ford dealer on hoses as their parts prices are so outragous). So, I have to order hoses and the serp belt off the net. Not much point changing out a waterpump and leaving the same old tired hoses and belt in place, plus easier to do it at the same time. So, again, I'd rec you plan ahead. Also, its probably a good idea to keep your old belt (perhaps even hoses if in reasonable shape) stowed in you SMB somewhere in case you have a failure. I'll clean mine leftovers, place in a sealed bag, and stow in the rear bumper compartment. Better than waiting in desert-god-knows-where for a couple of days waiting on a belt. I was very suprised no one had the belt in stock as the 7.3 is a common powerplant. Hoses, sure, I can understand that, but the belt? You poor saps that live in the big city will likely have different results, but when you travel to the boondocks (where I live) in your SMB, it becomes a different story. So plan accordingly. Happy trails.

Just FYI in case you are wondering. The water pump from Napa is sitting in its box. Since waiting on a belts, hoses and a thermostat, decided to order a water pump from Northern Auto Parts (they also have an EBay store). The Airtex water pump from Northern is the same one Napa sells (Napa confirmed this). At Napa, its nearly $200. Through Northern, its a little over $100 with shipping (once you combine some other items, the price difference becomes even more noticable). Since my present WP is leaking some, but not pouring (or making any noise...as best as I can tell over the diesel noise), I'm going to risk the wait. If it takes a turn for the worse before I get the pump via UPS, then I'll use the Napa one. No big trips until May, so I've got some time.

[vlamgat]

Do you have a basis for suggesting that this mileage is the norm for the 7.3 PSD? Its not the subject of any discussion that I have found on the Ford PSD web sites and just because your is giving up the ghost does not mean there is a statistical basis for the majority or even a significant minority.

With that said I do agree that its weorth having a set of all the belts and a spare water pump, oil pump, injector or three, and fuel pump either available so that someone can Fedex it to your breakdown place or stashed on the vehicle. Its pure supposition for any of us to presume that parts will be available on out of production vehicles just because we need them.

[deminimis]

Was searching Dieselstop for water pump info. Seems folks there were replacing them at around 80k miles. Some were getting more (100k+), but my take reading quite a few posts was the failure was more likely to occur in the 80k range (in some cases less) I'm at 86k, so seems right on schedule. Also, the use of the word "seems" in the original post should suggest there is some wiggle room.

[John and Dana]

Somthing for you to consider based on my experience with Napa water pumps. On my Jeep the OEM water pump laster 160K before it began to leak so I purchased Napa's premium water pump with a lifetime guarantee. (Glad I did), That water pump began leaking about a year later at 175K. Took it to Napa and got a replacement with no hassle, I now have 202k on the odometer and I am starting to get a coolant smell when I shut down the engine. I have checked all of the hoses and there are no leaks so it is probably the water pump again. I will be pulling the fan of this weekend to confirm it.

[deminimis]

I hear you. We suffered the indignity of Jeep ownership times three (Sorry Jage). Changed waterpumps on a regular basis. Don't know the mfr of the Napa ones I used for the Jeeps, but they may have been made out of the US. Don't think they use the same mfr for all their parts. Not sure if the Airtex pumps are as good, not as good or better than what came originally on the 7.3. However, our local Ford dealership wanted over $300 for a waterpump after returning the core for a partial credit. The Airtex WP is made in the US (of domestic and imported parts). Two other after-market WP I located locally were GMD and 1 Cardone (I've had horrible luck with the latter, don't know about GMB). On dieselstop, there were several folks that replaced their WP with the Airtex one. They appeared pleased with it (although at least one had to replace it much earlier than one would expect). So, followed the herd on that one and went with Airtex. If there is a super-duper water pump out there that justifies the cost, I'd jump on it.

[jage]

Eh, at least they're not sandrails.

[John and Dana]

Well I will make Napa pay for selling a cheap water pump with a lifetime guarantee because after plunking down $115K for a new Sportsmobile I will be driving the Jeep for many more miles. And the water pump is a very easy swap.