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View Full Version : To keep or upgrade-that is the question



fireandice9008
09-04-2014, 03:04 PM
First things first, the Marauder is NOT going anywhere :burnout: , I'm asking this in regards to my Super Duty, and would like input from the general assembly. I've been arguing with myself for a week, and i'll try and keep this as close to the executive version as possible.

My truck has developed quite the mysterious transmission leak. It's a 2001 F350 4x4, 7.3 diesel with 161k on the clock. Trans was rebuilt 19k miles and almost 2 years ago by ---THE--- best transmission shop in the area, and hasn't been touched since except for fluid checks. Overall happy, and have not had a single problem...

Until last Saturday. The truck died every.single.time. it was put into reverse, unless I gave it throttle. Classic symptoms of a TC failing. Forward gears were fine. Checked the fluid level, low. 1 quart brought it up to where it needed to be, and all was fine, until it got home. Died again (5th time in 1 hour), and took all it had to back in the driveway. Subsequently took it straight to the trans shop and dropped it off, by the time we got there, all was well.

They couldn't find an issue, other than is was three quarts low on fluid, meaning that it, somehow, used A GALLON of fluid in 25 or so miles. Here's where it gets tricky...there's no leak. The casing is dry (sans a slow seep from the seal, not enough, even with pressure, to do this), the underside of the truck is dry (no front seal leak), it's not mixing with coolant, it's not leaking out the standalone cooler or the lines, and it's not leaking into, or out of, the transfer case. The man was beside himself, he had never seen anything like this before. Brought it home yesterday evening, I think it's sluggish in reverse, but it could be me being critical. Otherwise, all is fine. Did the cardboard under the truck test, 24 hours later dry as a bone as far as the trans is concerned.

So here's my dilemma. Do I...sell it (soon), and replace it with a 2007 or newer (which fixes my incessant bitching about not having a long box, but requires financing), or keep it and deal with the short bed and whatever may arise, since it is paid for.

whitey
09-04-2014, 05:05 PM
Keep it, i think your transmission will be fine, however, i think your dipstick isnt long enough to give a proper reading. I dont think you're leaking at all.

Baconbit
09-04-2014, 06:00 PM
Keep it! The 7.3 turbo diesel is the best diesel motor Ford made and it is bulletproof. These new diesels are junk compared to it and you will miss it if you get rid of it. Plus it's paid off! You will sort out the tranny, no worries.

sflrainmaker01
09-04-2014, 06:52 PM
Keep it! The 7.3 turbo diesel is the best diesel motor Ford made and it is bulletproof. These new diesels are junk compared to it and you will miss it if you get rid of it. Plus it's paid off! You will sort out the tranny, no worries.

+1 on this! I sold my old 1997 F350 4wd Crew Cab Dually with the 7.3 TD and a Banks kit a few years ago. I really miss it. However, my needs aren't the same and I scored a 1993 Chevy 1500 2wd (don't need 4wd in Florida I found out, lol) with 85k miles and one owner for $2,000. So, now I have a truck again. But, damn, I miss my 7.3 PS TD.. Keep it, even with some repairs, it's cheaper than the payments and interest! Plus, as I have been told by many customers, the newer diesel trucks don't get the same MPG as the old diesels for some reason. My old 7.3 PS got better fuel mileage than this Chevy with the 5.7L!

lji372
09-04-2014, 07:40 PM
Do what makes you happy...

I would keep it.

fireandice9008
09-12-2014, 11:20 AM
Once I got the brakes sorted out I drove it for several days (been sitting with bad back brakes), and all seemed well. I think it's safe for now, i'm looking at expanding my trailer fleet to solve my shortbed problem.

CNTLOSE
09-12-2014, 02:09 PM
Keep it...payments suck! Even if a new trans is in order down the road, still much cheaper than buying a newer one.