97 Ford F-250 Powerstroke Problem

C-Bill

Those of you who tow your boat with a 1997 F-250 Powerstroke need to be aware of what occured to me yesterday. I was lucky as I was not towing anything. I have 144,000 miles on my truck and it is serviced regularly.

I was coming home from Grants Pass OR and usually cut across from Shasta on 89 and go through Susanville. There is a steep decent into Susanville and at the bottom, I was in the right lane when the compressor pulley (air-conditioning) exploded and destroyed the belt which operates the power steering and power brakes. This made braking and steering very very difficult. If I would have had my C-Dory in tow, it could have been disastrous. The broken shaft appeared to have been crystallized and it is supported on a ball bearing race. I understand that this is not uncommon.

Bill

Wefings · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:12 am Post subject:

We have a '97 Powerstroke F 250 as a shop truck . Thanks , Ill check that out ! But how do you know if the replacement is good ? We just found out the injector harness runs through the valve cover and will melt and mystify your local mechanic for months . Went to a dedicated Diesel guy and figured it out in minutes. Ours has 157k miles so its just getting broken in !
Marc

C-Bill · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:32 am Post subject:

I had to get a tow truck to take my truck to the local Ford dealership in Susanville. They had to order a compressor. The price on just the compressor is $707. For $707, it better be good. There is damage to the fan and the serpentine belt. With the pulley bouncing around between the engine and the radiator I would expect more.

Bill

GOYO · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject:

Another killer for that truck (7.3L diesel) is the cam shaft sensor. Ford has a recall on that sensor and will replace it free if it has not been done.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject:

This is not a problem that only FORD has. My brother's Duramax had something similar happen to it last summer only it was the tensioner pulley. Don't know the cause, don't know why some do it and some don't, but his made some noise that gave him warning. However, the noises would go away once it warmed up a little so it never got addressed since it seemed so minor. So, while pulling his 8000 pound travel trailer it finally let loose and he lost most of his braking and steering. Fortunately the only thing that was wrecked was the belt. But, he was screwed none the less since it happened Haines Jct. A long story short, it happens to all of them. I remember when my old blazer's power steering pump locked up, it stopped the motor dead in its tracks. I couldn't even turn it over. What a hassle and it something all of us should keep an eye on for sure.

kennharriet · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

I have been stranded in some very undesirable places. This has happened enough times that I probably carry too many tools. Some of the breakdowns are probably because of the weight of the extra tools. I always try to look at the bright side: 1) Consider the fuel savings you are realizing while your vehicle is not running. 1a) The longer it takes to get repaired, equals more savings. 2) The repair costs improve an ailing economy. 2a) The greater the repair costs, the greater the economy. I'll stop before you are overcome with euphoria. Glad you were not hurt.

C-Bill · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

Steve - My cam shaft sensor was replaced earlier this year. The Ford dealer in Susanville Friday, told me that my cruise control was on recall because there is a possibility that it would catch fire. They will fix that along with other repairs.

Ken - I like your outlook - And you're right! The Ford dealer in Susanville appreciated my contribution of $1,000 plus Very Happy

Bill

thataway · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject:

Even as a second owner, I got the recall on the cam shaft sensor and cruise control--replaced at no cost. I had not heard about the pulley issues. Something to watch for.

Before the sensors were replaced, it was recommended practice to carry extra sensors--they are fairly easily replaced.

marvin4239 · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

I've got a 96 Powerstroke and the only problem I've had in 169,000 miles is transmissons I'm on my third ford factory rebuilt. They seem to go out right after the two year warranty expires. Thanks for the tip on the cam shaft sensor I'll have to check to see if the recall applies to 96 model.

BrentB · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

kennharriet · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

Oh, the great memories this thread brings back. One of our best break downs happened in "breath taking" McDermit, NV. We spent four days in the only motel in town, waiting for the only mechanic to get the right part. Did I mention the only mechanic also owned the only motel.

I have even been broke down on the same grade out of Susanville. Our most recent break down was losing a trailer axle, an hour south of Burns, OR, at night on a blind corner. The more I think about it, I have spent a good part of life broke down.

I am proud to say that most of my break downs have been in GM products. I'm voting for the public option (government mandated vehicle repair insurance that our grandkids pay for).

C-Bill · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject:

Bob - You're caught up on the recalls. To my knowledge they have not issued a recall on the pulleys. Quite sometime ago, I read something regarding the serpentine belt and changing the belt. Ford warned that loss of the belt would result in loss of braking & power steering. I believe they also indicated a time span for braking and steering. Believe me, that time span might be 2 seconds or less!

Bill

Cker · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:39 am Post subject: Retro fix for serpentine belt

On my 2000 F250, serpentine belt circuit runs OVER the radiator hose. In order to put a belt on (pretty simple task) you have to remove the radiator hose. There is a fix consisting of a reshaped hose that fits in the factory bracket under the alternator. Not a big problem but just makes life a little simpler. In anticipation of buying a boat (which didn't happen) I had the transmission beefed up a little by installing part of a "chugger" kit - recalibrating and modifying the valve body (I think). Lots more power and none of the sluggish shift changes with the factory trans. About $400 parts and labor.

GOYO · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

The camshaft position sensor recall applies to all 7.3L diesels. The cruise control recall applies to all ford trucks and some cars for specific years, call a ford dealer with your vin # and they can check it for you, and yes they do catch fire. Ford will not cover damage caused by a cruise control fire because the recall has been out for several years and they feel customers should have known and had the recall performed.