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? -