7.3 Godzilla reliability

[Brian.Jacobson]

You just saved yourself a ~$12-14k repair if you did it at a dealer. Definitely cheaper at a local mechanic, but surely not as cheap as that warranty!

 

[McE]

Thank you! I just got off the phone with Carmax and it turns out we did buy the Maxcare extended warranty! We are covered until 2029 or 100 K miles! So our local Ford dealer said they would be able to help us out! Whew!

Great news. Now I'd be hoping the damage was bad enough for a new long block

 

[AinaMar]

You just saved yourself a ~$12-14k repair if you did it at a dealer. Definitely cheaper at a local mechanic, but surely not as cheap as that warranty!

 

[AinaMar]

Here's our truck!

 

[J_Man]

I know most folks see the added cost of an extended warranty as a scam, but my experience has been that the extended warranty on vehicles manufactured since 2015 or so will generally pay for itself.

The cam issue with the 7.3L is a known “materials defect” - this was (supposedly) corrected in 2022/2023. My limited understanding is that there was a metallurgical and/or heat-treating issue on the cam.

I'm sure there are folks in this very knowledgeable collective that have exact details and dates.

I'm am glad you found that you have a warranty! Good decision!


J_Man

 

[Apples]

Correct. Bad batch of heat treat, but I understood the culprit being the roller lifters. Either way, the cam lobe/lifter interface was the issue, but it was exacerbated by the low engine oil pressure at engine idle. That too has been addressed, and I believe that was a software update. The oil pump d3sign is a variable output and is controlled by one of the PCM data modules.

 

[AinaMar]

I know most folks see the added cost of an extended warranty as a scam, but my experience has been that the extended warranty on vehicles manufactured since 2015 or so will generally pay for itself.

The cam issue with the 7.3L is a known “materials defect” - this was (supposedly) corrected in 2022/2023. My limited understanding is that there was a metallurgical and/or heat-treating issue on the cam.

I'm sure there are folks in this very knowledgeable collective that have exact details and dates.

I'm am glad you found that you have a warranty! Good decision!


J_Man

Thank you!

 

[AinaMar]

Correct. Bad batch of heat treat, but I understood the culprit being the roller lifters. Either way, the cam lobe/lifter interface was the issue, but it was exacerbated by the low engine oil pressure at engine idle. That too has been addressed, and I believe that was a software update. The oil pump d3sign is a variable output and is controlled by one of the PCM data modules.

Thank you!

 

[AinaMar]

I know most folks see the added cost of an extended warranty as a scam, but my experience has been that the extended warranty on vehicles manufactured since 2015 or so will generally pay for itself.

The cam issue with the 7.3L is a known “materials defect” - this was (supposedly) corrected in 2022/2023. My limited understanding is that there was a metallurgical and/or heat-treating issue on the cam.

I'm sure there are folks in this very knowledgeable collective that have exact details and dates.

I'm am glad you found that you have a warranty! Good decision!


J_Man

We take it to Ford dealership tomorrow! Hopefully, everything gets fixed to satisfaction! Or like McE said, maybe a new engine?!

 

[AinaMar]

Great news. Now I'd be hoping the damage was bad enough for a new long block

You called it! That's what Ford is recommending, a new long block. Just waiting for the adjuster to come do his thing.