need help for newbie re: 7.3

mexicanjoe · Aug 4, 2018

Hey guys, been following this forum for a while, and it appears this THE place for IDI motorheads. My problem is my 89 F-250 has a oilcooler that is toast and I cant find another one . I need the whole enchilada, if possible..... Double whammy::: This is the vehicle is use for off duty work. ( a cop working 3 jobs? Yeah, it happens). If any one can give me a hand or apoint me in the right direction it will be greatly appreciated. I live in West Texas where parts are ususally found in DFW Houston. TIA!!!!!

towcat · Aug 4, 2018

i can disassemble and inspect one for you. I have multiples here. where in west TX are you at? and yes I know LE's don't get paid **** in TX.

genscripter · Aug 4, 2018

You can find the gaskets and o-rings online. And some dealerships have the oil cooler for sale still, its just kind of pricey. You can find second-hand oil coolers and oil-cooler headers on ebay every few months.
Here's a pretty decent primer on how to fix the oil cooler. Do not use force when sandwiching the headers on the oil cooler. http://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/engine/6-9-and-7-3-idi-oil-cooler-repair/

How do you know if your oil cooler is bad? It could just be o-rings, and the oil cooler is fine. You can pressure test it at a machine shop, or use my DIY hack: http://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/engine/diy-7-3-idi-or-powerstroke-oil-cooler-pressure-tester/

Edit: I looked online, and apparently, you can get a replacement Oil Cooler on Rock Auto: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...5cid+v8+diesel,1114388,engine,oil+cooler,2084 Not sure if it's of any quality, but if you want to save some money versus the Stealership, this would be the way to go. Of course, this is assuming that your oil cooler is faulty or not repairable.

silverrex4 · Aug 4, 2018

the oil cooler probably just needs new seals and orings. you wont know if its bad until you pull it off. click the link below, gives you all links to amazon for oring parts and gaskets and how to remove. goodluck

http://www.dieselhub.com/maintenance/idi-oil-cooler.html

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

mexicanjoe · Aug 5, 2018

My problem is the front header part is corroded to the point it no longer mates with the engine block. At this point a complete assembly is needed. TOWCAT, I'm located in Midland ,but work 75 miles away... hey it's a job ;& besides.......6 more years and GONE. ( for a total of 35!)

genscripter · Aug 5, 2018

Check ebay for replacement headers. They are not as rare as you would think. I'd be willing to bet that you can keep your original oil cooler, and just replace the front header and the o-rings/gaskets. No need to replace the oil cooler if you don't have to.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1805847C1-...1311.R1.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.XIDI+oil+coo.TRS0.TSS0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-9-7-3-Id...1311.R1.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.XIDI+oil+coo.TRS0.TSS0

chris142 · Aug 5, 2018

I can't help with your part search but thank you for doing a thankless job and keeping us knuckleheads in line.

mexicanjoe · Aug 9, 2018

Hey Towcat drop me a email at : [email protected]. I have to travel to Fort Worth Cook Childrens Hospital on the 15th.. Maybe I can drop by or we can visit... BTW I happen to know someone from Hamilton!

fraree · May 5, 2019

Great info for us down under on how to overhaul the oilcooler :Thumbs Up

fraree · May 30, 2019

Been working away in the gas fields interstate since I replaced my oilcooler.
One thing I must say, it was a lot easier than I'd been lead to believe. Two wheel drive, so no front diif in the way, no steering box in the way either to restrict access & didn't require removal of the power steering pump. The joys of having the steering wheel on the "wrong side" Right hand drive :cheers:

fraree · Jun 7, 2019

Since I've done the injector cups etc, the orange engine light has stayed on. Given the engine an oil change, thought as the orange engine light meant "service soon" from one place I've read, it might go out. Still illuminated.

Truck's going in for a transmission service when I return home from this fortnights assignment in the Qld gasfields, hoping that maybe the cause.
No related codes have come up either, any ideas out there please

need help for newbie re: 7.3

mexicanjoe

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towcat

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genscripter

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silverrex4

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mexicanjoe

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genscripter

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chris142

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mexicanjoe

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fraree

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fraree

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fraree

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