7.3L Injector Tuneup

[triplemoutdoors]

Do any of you guys do this? I just had this done on my last oil change. I have 185000 miles on my truck so it was due.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A3H17qhcUQ

This is 1 of 4. 2-4 should show up after you watch the first one.

[lancaster,pa]

Do any of you guys do this? I just had this done on my last oil change. I have 185000 miles on my truck so it was due.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A3H17qhcUQ

This is 1 of 4. 2-4 should show up after you watch the first one.

Triple,
Really appreciate this link. Bought my truck used and never had the top end oil changed since I've had it. It's a simple maintenance procedure that could save thousands in injector replacement. It will be done on my vehicle soon. Thanks. - Patrick

[Longstroke]

Good post, I would like to do mine.

Where can I get the Prolong?

[triplemoutdoors]

Pep Boys and AutoZone carry it.

You can also get it at these locations near you.

http://www.prolong.com/buy_retail.html

[Clay]

sounds like a sales pitch for prolong...i have never heard of this.
Don't believe everything you see on youtube...

[greasyX]

Seen this done alot on fleet rigs,with mighty vacs.I too think youtube is smoke and mirrors,but can vouch for that procedure as very,very much worth your time.Don't for get that is the oil that comes into contact with your fuel,ie WVO..........can you say polymerization.This chap on you tube didn't have to worry about the WVO mixing with top-end oil,but we do.This said I do this procedure twice a year(since march).That thick oil if mixed with WVO over time will turn to a taffy like substance,especially in a climate with extreme temp fluxs(like NH,NY,ME or anywhere where you get snow.Clay you don't have to worry that much down there,and you changed injectors once so oil has been done.I would put it on anyones to do list,that wants there truck in the driveway at 300,000 Miles,and not in the junkyard.I have seen many 99-03 7.3 with this injector issue(fleet rigs) from neglect,I know that we take care of our beloved PSD better then that,right?.....greasy

[skyskijason]

Not a bad idea, it cannot hurt anything. FWIW, I have changed HPOP res a couple times, it looked JUST LIKE the crankcase oil... The powerstrokehelp dude is spot-on w/everything of his I've seen so far - PSD wise. He gets a 'lil carried away promoting the additives imho. Be sure to watch the 6.0 vs 7.3 series, he does a great job explaining how both engines work and whats different about them.

[triplemoutdoors]

sounds like a sales pitch for prolong...i have never heard of this.
Don't believe everything you see on youtube...

Clay I was posting this for information. It seems like a very important step in keeping you injectors going for a long time. He also touts Rotella but I did not take it at a sales pitch? I think most of the folks on the forum would use what they are comfortable with and it could be Dello, Rotella or Prolong or even some of the high dollar oil I hear you guys talk about from time to time.

I did not focus on the Prolong as much as I did the oil change. When I did mine I did not use Prolong I just used the Rotella that I put in the engine. It just makes sense to change this out. Don’t get stuck on the small stuff…this just seems like the right thing to do. Agree or disagree?

[2000XLIFTED]

I was under the impression that once the engine oil went through the injector it drained under the valve covers and back to the pan. Then new oil supplied the high pressure pump from from the sump. Why change it if it changes itself. Does some get recirculated inside the HPOP? Maybe crap settles in the res?

[jwpaul]

Can't hurt, might help

Don't for get that is the oil that comes into contact with your fuel,ie WVO..........can you say polymerization.This chap on you tube didn't have to worry about the WVO mixing with top-end oil,but we do...

Greasy,
I have a different impression of how the injectors work...check dieselmann's page http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/injector.htm. I don't think the two fluids ever come in physical contact with each other. Let me know if you know any different, am curious.

I like the idea of changing the oil...had a similar HPOP pump and resovoir change a couple years back and was surprised to see so much oil in the top of the motor that doesn't drain with a normal oil change. Can't hurt, might help.

[greasyX]

this may not pertain to everyone here but this is what I have seen in 4 years driving truck,and the time owning my X.Two Identical box trucks with DT444 (7.3),one allowed to warm-up with out heavy foot(mine),one driven like it was stolen.My truck I drove 400+K,the other 200K,and then it sat in the back lot for the parts buzzards to pick at.I would probably still be driving mine has not it been totaled,on a really bad day(thats a another story).With these engines if you recall,until up to certain temps,rings and seals are not tight,allowing mixture of fuel and oil. although minute,this occurs at all cold starts,engines are designed that way for longevity and the high compression ratio with this injection system.If you have ever had a HPOP oil leak,most likely there was some amount of mixing going on.When International designed this system,WVO was the furthest thing from their minds.These are the things that learned not taught,ALL diesels will burn wvo,some last longer because of maintainence,some are parts trucks in old age.In the long run it was the penny counters that made this a required service,longevity of engine superceeds any need for oil/fuel segragation.If it was in fact true that they did not mix these engines would last APROX. 75-100K miles,and not 500+K in service enviroment with proper servicing,this translates to about 50 &300K in our trucks.If you let it warm up 1/2-3/4 load this reduces the affect............................................ ..............Greasy

[Jack_Toepfer]

I was under the impression that once the engine oil went through the injector it drained under the valve covers and back to the pan. Then new oil supplied the high pressure pump from from the sump. Why change it if it changes itself. Does some get recirculated inside the HPOP? Maybe crap settles in the res?

I 2nd this. I was under the same impression.

[Clay]

Seen this done alot on fleet rigs,with mighty vacs.I too think youtube is smoke and mirrors,but can vouch for that procedure as very,very much worth your time.Don't for get that is the oil that comes into contact with your fuel,ie WVO..........can you say polymerization.This chap on you tube didn't have to worry about the WVO mixing with top-end oil,but we do.This said I do this procedure twice a year(since march).That thick oil if mixed with WVO over time will turn to a taffy like substance,especially in a climate with extreme temp fluxs(like NH,NY,ME or anywhere where you get snow.Clay you don't have to worry that much down there,and you changed injectors once so oil has been done.I would put it on anyones to do list,that wants there truck in the driveway at 300,000 Miles,and not in the junkyard.I have seen many 99-03 7.3 with this injector issue(fleet rigs) from neglect,I know that we take care of our beloved PSD better then that,right?.....greasy

Harold! Dont be telling crap like that...not at all true man. If you got fuel comming into contact with your crank oil, you have huge issues and it IS NOT NORMAL!

[Clay]

Clay I was posting this for information. It seems like a very important step in keeping you injectors going for a long time. He also touts Rotella but I did not take it at a sales pitch? I think most of the folks on the forum would use what they are comfortable with and it could be Dello, Rotella or Prolong or even some of the high dollar oil I hear you guys talk about from time to time.

I did not focus on the Prolong as much as I did the oil change. When I did mine I did not use Prolong I just used the Rotella that I put in the engine. It just makes sense to change this out. Don’t get stuck on the small stuff…this just seems like the right thing to do. Agree or disagree?

i wasn't sure as i do not own a 7.3 but i own a 6.0 which uses the same kind of high pressure oil system for fuel and i have no extra drain plug on mine. So i posed this guestion to several professional diesel techs i know and they all said "What"? - they have never heard of such a thing.

[Clay]

this may not pertain to everyone here but this is what I have seen in 4 years driving truck,and the time owning my X.Two Identical box trucks with DT444 (7.3),one allowed to warm-up with out heavy foot(mine),one driven like it was stolen.My truck I drove 400+K,the other 200K,and then it sat in the back lot for the parts buzzards to pick at.I would probably still be driving mine has not it been totaled,on a really bad day(thats a another story).With these engines if you recall,until up to certain temps,rings and seals are not tight,allowing mixture of fuel and oil. although minute,this occurs at all cold starts,engines are designed that way for longevity and the high compression ratio with this injection system.If you have ever had a HPOP oil leak,most likely there was some amount of mixing going on.When International designed this system,WVO was the furthest thing from their minds.These are the things that learned not taught,ALL diesels will burn wvo,some last longer because of maintainence,some are parts trucks in old age.In the long run it was the penny counters that made this a required service,longevity of engine superceeds any need for oil/fuel segragation.If it was in fact true that they did not mix these engines would last APROX. 75-100K miles,and not 500+K in service enviroment with proper servicing,this translates to about 50 &300K in our trucks.If you let it warm up 1/2-3/4 load this reduces the affect............................................ ..............Greasy

All engines experience "blowby" on cold start...thats the only way your going to get fuel in your oil and since we use properly designed vegistrokes and start up on diesel untill hot, you will never see vegi in your crank case under "normal" operation.