On the new XC-4 motors that KTM introduced in 2008, it was found the water pump seal was installed backwards from the factory, with the spring oriented in the wrong direction. It seals, but eventually fails. My pump developed a leak shortly after a week of King of the Hammers 2021. x hours and xContinue reading “2008 KTM 530 EXC-R Water Pump Weeping | Seal Replacement”
Author Archives: Manolo al Sol
7.3L Powerstroke diesel – Rapid cold start reliability
06:50 outside of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah 14* Fahrenheit (-9* Celsius) ambient temperature Elevation 5200 feet (1580 meters) Cold starts taking longer, requiring several glow plug cycles, and also first notice of an oil leak originating from the oil cooler in the mornings. In this video, am running Motorcraft 15W-40 synthetic oil (https://amzn.to/39hTMX8) alongContinue reading “7.3L Powerstroke diesel – Rapid cold start reliability”
Driveline resonance |OBS F350 7.3L Powerstroke SRW 4×4 rear driveshaft to pinion yoke ujoint repair
The truck developed a nasty driveline vibration at about 2000 RPM going down the freeway, causing the dashboard in particular to rattle and resonate. Stabbing the accelerator up to 2500 RPM, or simply lifting and coming off the pedal, would bring the truck out of resonance with an audible metallic clanking as the driveline unloads.Continue reading “Driveline resonance |OBS F350 7.3L Powerstroke SRW 4×4 rear driveshaft to pinion yoke ujoint repair”
CEL P1391 & P1393 |OBS 7.3L Powerstroke | Glow plugs, valve cover gaskets & wiring harness, glow plug relay
Addressing check engine light for DTC’s P1391 and P1393: Glow Plug Circuit Low Input Bank 1 & 2. Started by replacing all 8x Motorcraft glow plugs, but after checking resistance of each plug, found them all to be acceptable, low ohms. Went ahead and checked resistance of new glow plugs and installed all new. Next,Continue reading “CEL P1391 & P1393 |OBS 7.3L Powerstroke | Glow plugs, valve cover gaskets & wiring harness, glow plug relay”
Creating a Craiglist saved-search for specific vehicle criteria
Use keywords and search criteria for specific vehicle features. A Craigslist saved-search can be setup for an email alert every time listings are posted that fits all search criteria. For example, if I’m in the market for the newest possible California diesel manual 4×4 long bed rigs that are smog exempt, a saved CL searchContinue reading “Creating a Craiglist saved-search for specific vehicle criteria”
For Sale: 7.3L Powerstroke, OBS Truck Parts
OBS single cab, rear glass, fixed pane, 20% ceramic tinted. Used, $200 USD Resources Rear window gasket (ebay link) OBS 7.3L factory fuel filter bowl
OBS F350 aluminum topper & Phase 1 & 2 exo cage from lumber rack
Lumber Rack Started sourcing major components by finding an uncommon Rack-It long bed lumber rack, specifically designed with additional width to fit over a truck topper (also known as a camper shell). One popped up locally on FB marketplace, and I jumped on it despite the upper tubes being mangled and sitting in a fieldContinue reading “OBS F350 aluminum topper & Phase 1 & 2 exo cage from lumber rack”
Engine oil leak at cold start | OBS 7.3L Powerstroke oil cooler replacement
After a month of winter traveling at high elevation in Utah, truck developed a nasty oil leak at cold starts. Leak goes away after reaching operating temp, yet continues to weep oil after shutting down and cooling off. The 7.3L Powerstroke’s oil cooler is a tubular heat exchanger between engine oil and coolant along theContinue reading “Engine oil leak at cold start | OBS 7.3L Powerstroke oil cooler replacement”
Broken down on White Rim Trail | Buckled steering tie rod on Ford hp balljoint Dana 60 axle
Making good time on an anticlockwise loop of White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Then, on a trail squeeze section buckled a brand new tie rod on the Dana 60 with all new inverted-Y steering components. 15:00 broken down steering, truck is undriveable through switchbacks. With a buckled tierod, the wheels can be turnedContinue reading “Broken down on White Rim Trail | Buckled steering tie rod on Ford hp balljoint Dana 60 axle”
OBS F350 7.3L SCLB 4×4 on White Rim Trail, Canyonlands NP Utah
Dropped into Canyonlands NP on a 2-day permit. Original plan was to enter from Mineral Bottom Road on arrival Day 1, explore that corner of the park on Day 2, then come out the same way. Instead, would run the entire White Rim Trail in the anticlockwise direction, overcoming a trail breakdown with a cleverContinue reading “OBS F350 7.3L SCLB 4×4 on White Rim Trail, Canyonlands NP Utah”
Manolo al Sol 