vehicle: New to me 03 E350 with 7.3 powerstroke

I picked this up a couple weeks ago, and last weekend it started making a ticking noise that is definitely engine speed related. it sounds like a tick-tick-tick and best I could tell it is coming from the front of the motor.

Was hoping it was a bearing going on one of the accessories. But the service guy just called and said they haven't fully diagnosed it, but he the tech believes it is either a "balance rod" or something on the bottom end.

Ugh. Hopefully, it was caught early enough that it's just a matter of replace the part and button it back up.


So, what is a balance rod? Or is the service writer not communicating very well? I'm a relative diesel noob, but I can't find any reference to one. and if it's the bottom end, are we pretty much just talking a bearing?

Mo
W2ARZ

mo-arz's Sig:

2003 E350 - 7.3 powerstroke, quigley 4x4 conversion, extended body, high top, family truckster.

Mo
W2ARZ

Balance rod?

Do you have this at a Ford store, or otherwise?

Easy diag? Pull the belt off and see if the noise goes away.

Big Angry Hillbilly's Sig:

2008 F-350 4x4 Off Road 6.4 PSD 23+ MPG
Ford Powerstroke Dealer Technician
310-S Ontario Motor Vehicle Mechanic
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Modification Friendly Dealer Technician - Just don't try and hide it from me.

currently at the ford store.

was in for CPS and ABS recalls, figured I'd have them check out the noise as well.

Not sure on this balance rod you're talking about. I'll look into it, but I din't think a 7.3 had a balance shaft, if that's what they're telling you.

Thanks man. I wasn't sure what he was talking about either.

Maybe the balancer (damper) or it could be excessive play in the cam and HPOP gear drive-

per the dealer: vacuum pump. and they want $200 for the diagnosis.


I shoulda pulled the belt and fired it up.

Hell I didnt even know the E series still had a vacumn pump... They did away with them in the superdutys...

CSIPSD's Sig:

01 F-250 SC,175k,16gauges,AFE-2,Modded H2e,6.0 IC,Hybrids,Water inj,Swamp tuned,Studs,Forged rods,910 springs,4"dual's,Aero,6" tip's,100 axl tank,4" lift,37" TOYO MT's

With TN BB and old set up...467hp-1066tq

Joe-AKA Gauge whore

talked with them and they told me the wrong price for the part. having them install a new pump was only $50 more than me buying a pump at Napa and installing it myself. $50 well spent in my mind.

E-series got a vacuum pump all the way up to the 6.0 years!

Wow... what the hell for?

E-series has always been Fords red headed step child getting hand-me-down surplus parts.

robammerman's Sig:

1996 Ford F350 4X4 4dr long box. Bully Dog Six Pack chip, Stage II injectors, hybrid turbo, retrofitted 6.0 intercooler, Bank 4" turbo back exhaust, K&N intake, Snow Performance Stage 3 MPG max, South Bend clutch, 4.10 gears and a spool in the rear. 315/75/16 BFG ATs 251,000 miles.