Posted 2008-05-07 4:20 PM (#83431) Subject: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Yesterday, while inspecting my truck for this summer's use, I found some oil leaking underneath the rear differential. When I cleaned the area to determine from where it was leaking, I made a disturbing discovery. It was leaking from the surface of the rear inspection plate.
Poking at the area with a screw driver resulted in a larger leak. The plate had rusted through! A call to our Ford dealer revealed that "some" trucks were shipped with plates made of "soft" ( whatever that means) metal and were rusting out after the warranty, but young in the truck's life.
I've been a mechanic a long time and have never seen this happen on any make of vehicle. The bottom line is, check your truck if it's the early series Super Duty. Not to do so could be a very expensive mistake. The plate is about $60, and the special 75 -140 weight synthetic oil for posi units is another $60.
Posted 2008-05-07 4:44 PM (#83441 - in reply to #83431) Subject: RE: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Seems like they had the same problem with some of the early 7.3 Power Stroke oil pans. They would have little pin holes rust in them. They had to pull the engines to R&R the oil pans!! It would cost the average unexpecting owner around 3K to have the pans replaced. I know several folks that traded their 2001 Super Duty trucks instead.
Posted 2008-05-07 6:23 PM (#83447 - in reply to #83431) Subject: RE: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Retento- Our 2000 Ford has that same oil pan leak.We discovered the leak, ordered the oil pan and THEN was told we'd have to life the engine to replace it. I had a out of state show to attend in a few days and there was no way to get it done in time....so...
My husband cut the new pan to fit over the old one,put lots of silicon all over it,stuck it together with wire...its been that way for 4 years. We were later told in that model year the pans were not galvinized properly. anyway, it works now.
Posted 2008-05-08 7:09 AM (#83475 - in reply to #83431) Subject: RE: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Expert
Posts: 2614
IMO if the pans weren't galvanized or made properly,Ford should have to eat the cost of repairing them no matter.warranty or not.A few lawsuits ought to come their way for THAT boo boo.
Posted 2008-05-08 7:23 AM (#83477 - in reply to #83431) Subject: RE: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Thats the information we were given now I can't say its 100% accurate plus it would take years and years in courts to do anything abut it. Since its been what, 8 yrs and nobody has sued, I' have to think it wasn't a big deal.
Posted 2008-05-08 12:53 PM (#83521 - in reply to #83447) Subject: RE: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by farmbabe on 2008-05-07 6:23 PM
Retento- Our 2000 Ford has that same oil pan leak.We discovered the leak, ordered the oil pan and THEN was told we'd have to life the engine to replace it. I had a out of state show to attend in a few days and there was no way to get it done in time....so...
My husband cut the new pan to fit over the old one,put lots of silicon all over it,stuck it together with wire...its been that way for 4 years. We were later told in that model year the pans were not galvinized properly. anyway, it works now.
Damn, now thats resourceful. Probably would drive me nuts knowing it was like that, but resourceful none the less.
Posted 2008-05-08 3:31 PM (#83532 - in reply to #83431) Subject: RE: FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Nashville, TN
The 7.3L oil pan rust issue is widely known and discussed in the powerstroke community with many using POR-15 kits to treat the pans. I have seen a product, but can't put my hands on the web site at this time, that was manufactured to do just what farmbabe did without it being a complete pan....sort of like a shoe cover that fit exactly over the pan and held in place by some type sealant. Pulling a motor to replace an oil pan is a bitter pill and bill to swallow. Some have found Ford dealerships that will drop the tranny and jack the engine in place...apparently there is enough room to do it without pulling the motor but there is questions as to how good a seal is accomplished in this manner. Apparently Ford recommends taking the engine out, flipping in over and allowing the silicon bead and new pan to setup over night and if that is what it says in the service manual then that is what most service departments and technicians will do.
FORD SUPER DUTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE
