7.3 ford diesel
 

Hey guys, Im kinda new to the world of diesels. I just got my first diesel truck a few months ago. Its a 1999 ford flatbed with the 7.3 in it. It has a lil over 500k miles on it and runs great. I only use it to pull my gooseneck with my equipment on it. My equipment will weigh anywhere from 9500 lbs to 13500 depending on which machine Im pulling(besides the trailer weight) The last two tanks of diesel, I only got between 7-8 mpg. Is this normal for this engine? I didnt expect it to get great fuel mileage,but did expect a lil better than this.

I had a 1999 Ford 7.3 crew cab 4x4 and averaged around 16 MPG unloaded and around 9-10 MPG pulling about 12,500 pounds.
Are you getting 7-8 MPG loaded or unloaded?

If you are loaded, then you are close to what is expected on mileage.

thats what I have is the crew cab,but not 4x4. That mileage is loaded.

I have a '99 F-250, 2WD, 3/4 ton, w/373 rear end and a Banks chip in it to get an extra 60 HP. I get 20 mpg unloaded and around 14 to 15 mpg with a 26' gooseneck and a 50 hp tractor on it.

You might want to check your air filter.

Turbochargers need a lot of airflow. I have an 06 Dodge Cummins and while towing my boat to Grand Isle, I noticed my milage dropped from the usual 18 mpg down to 11mpg. I stopped and raised the hood and saw like a little vacuum sensor that has a green, yellow red zone that indicates air filter blockage. I picked up a new filter at the Auto Zone and poof, back to 18 mpg. With all that said ,Ray is right...I might add that I spent $100 on a K & N filter that is washable and I have to clean it about every 10,000 miles so it paid for itself pretty quick...

I had a 99 F-350 dually with the 7.3. It would get 15 to 16 around town and 17 on highway empty. Got 12 loaded with 34' gooseneck with 12,000 lbs of round bails. Wish I had it back. I know own a 2003 f-250 4X4 with the 6.0. I get 15 around town and 17 on highway. On the highway I get 12 loaded. Main thing with diesels is keeping the air filter and fuel filters changed and clean. Also the turbo charged ones you need to keep the coolants flushed regular.

i have a 2000 F-250 running powerchip have been running it since 2001 it has improved perfomance and fuel milage as i pull a triple axel 5th wheel have 275,000 miles and still going strong you can find this on Ebay for around $100 you can use the safe tow setting andd should get you 3 to 5 miles a gal extra per mile. if you are around lafayette and are interested in trying this email me at ontheg2m@yahoo .com I can let you trymine to see if it works for you

I had the air filter changed when I got the truck about 2 months ago. Along with 4 new injectors,changed the fuel filters, oil and oil filter,trans. fluid etc. Might hafta try a chip. would be great to get 12 or so loaded.