New to the 7.3 need some tips

kcalkins · Mar 18, 2016

Hey all I just bought a 2001 7.3 a few months ago and looking to see whats out there for upgrades, nothing to major exhaust, chip or programmer, and possibly injectors in the future.

So I just recently have been running into a problem. its always started fine and now it wants to crank over for 30 seconds or so with no oil pressure and then gets oil pressure and starts right up. seems too run fine. the truck has 133k miles on it. Im pointing towards the hpop being replaced any thoughts of what else it could be? or if its the hpop which direction to go towards for a new one?

TyCorr · Mar 18, 2016

Its hpop related but not necesarily the pump. The whole system is susceptible to poor performance if there is a leak.

Can you monitor icp (iinjection control pressure)? If so, does it hold once its running?

With what you're describing to me sounding like poor cold starting performance, im just guessing here, but i think you have some injectors that have a bad oring and the oil rails are draining off over night.

kcalkins · Mar 18, 2016

so it will start like that even after running for 3 hours let it sit for say 20 minutes and same thing. and oil pressure is great while running.

TyCorr · Mar 18, 2016

Oh. Well then you need to find someone who can "deadhead" the high pressure oil pump. Its where the pump outputs are blocked one at a time and a gauge installed to see what pressure the pump is building.

Another thing to check is when its been running and it typically wont start, pull the hpop reservoir plug out and see if the reservoir is draining or holding oil. Its an allen plug right in the top of the reservoir.

TyCorr · Mar 18, 2016

Im assuming you've already scanned for codes? Do that if not.

kcalkins · Mar 19, 2016

gotcha yea negative on the codes. when i check the plug and its drained does that point to the hpop?
any test i can run to check for the leaky orings as i can only guess if there leaky it could get a little warm under the hood in a hurry

dsberman94 · Mar 19, 2016

Doesn't affect engine temp.

kcalkins · Mar 19, 2016

warm being a fire

TyCorr · Mar 19, 2016

kcalkins said:
gotcha yea negative on the codes. when i check the plug and its drained does that point to the hpop?
any test i can run to check for the leaky orings as i can only guess if there leaky it could get a little warm under the hood in a hurry

The reason it gets worse with warm engine temps is hot oil is thinner which makes it even harder for a ill system to build pressure. Its a basic hydraulic system with too many valves.

Do yourself a favor and go about diagnoses systematically and you'll retain sanity. Start at the pump and work your way inward. If you check here, then there, you lose your place. Especially if you are green to diagnosis.

My other advice is dont be embarrassed to have someone look at it. There are guys here who have spent 1500 on crap/parts to "diagnose" a $200 part that needed replaced. Know when to hold em, know when to fold em.

kcalkins · Mar 19, 2016

aint that the truth but from what ive obtained the stock hpop is crap on the 7.3 so replacing it wouldn't hurt my feelings as i would like to give it a little more life in the near future

superpsd · Mar 19, 2016

I would still diagnose it first. If the pump is perfectly fine it can support larger injectors. No reason to just throw parts at it. Increasing performance on any of the powerstroke engines gets spendy. Hope you got something that looks like this...

psduser1 · Mar 19, 2016

kcalkins said:
aint that the truth but from what ive obtained the stock hpop is crap on the 7.3 so replacing it wouldn't hurt my feelings as i would like to give it a little more life in the near future

superpsd said:
I would still diagnose it first. If the pump is perfectly fine it can support larger injectors. No reason to just throw parts at it. Increasing performance on any of the powerstroke engines gets spendy. Hope you got something that looks like this...

A hpop wouldn't be first on the list, for sure. Been there, done that.

How are you checking oil pressure?
Dash gauge is the wrong answer.
If your resivoir is low/empty after 20 minutes of offtime, than either the check valve is bad, the orings have a massive leak, or the ipr is fubar.
Have you checked the fuel bowl for oil? Easiest place to start. Pull the cap, if it's black, buy a set of orings.

97f350stroker · Mar 19, 2016

From my experience it's rarely the pump and I would pretty much rule that out here. Sounds like a hpo leak somewhere in the system. Follow what ty said and dont just start swapping parts. Check the pump with a mechanical gauge and I bet you'll find out your problem is not the pump.

TyCorr · Mar 20, 2016

97f350stroker said:
From my experience it's rarely the pump and I would pretty much rule that out here. Sounds like a hpo leak somewhere in the system. Follow what ty said and dont just start swapping parts. Check the pump with a mechanical gauge and I bet you'll find out your problem is not the pump.

Yea, if the pump is good you're set. Then you need orings.