7.3 Powerstroke High Pressure Oil Pump Or HPOP Symptoms?

Although a high-pressure oil pump does not tend to fail or get severely damage that easily, overtimes, it can get weaker and fail to work as efficiently as before.

Therefore, you should keep a close eye and track down whenever your high-pressure oil pump has an issue to fix. 

That’s why in this article, I will address all the significant symptoms, which help to detect the failing condition of an HPOP.

What are The Signs Of A 7.3 Powerstroke High Pressure Oil Pump?

Engine struggling to start or no start problem is one of the first common sign of High-pressure oil pump failure. 

Besides that another initial sign is when you realize that your engine has a significant drop in its power and performance. 

So, keep these signs in your consideration to detect 7.3 HPOP failure.

7.3 Powerstroke High Pressure Oil Pump Symptoms: 

Let’s learn more about the symptoms and how to detect a failing 7.3 high-pressure oil pump in detail below –

1. Starting Trouble & Drop-In Performance:

When the 7.3 Powerstroke has a high-pressure oil pump issue, you will notice starting hesitation on your vehicle. 

That means you may encounter that your vehicle is taking too long to start or does not start up even after several attempts. 

Even users have claimed that when the vehicle finally starts after several tries, it struggles to run smoothly, and they have noticed a significant drop in the vehicle’s performance level too.

Starting issue arises mainly when you are not using the correct oil recommendation, or maybe you do not have enough oil to cross the operation range, which is recommended by the manufacture of 7.3 Powerstroke.

The low-performance issue can arise because of various reasons such as leaking of oil, stuck IPR, ICP leaking, faulty ICP sensor, or excessive pressure delivered to the oil rails.

Therefore, make sure to inspect all the possible error areas.

2. Fails To Produce Standard Operating Oil Pressure:

When the 7.3 high-pressure oil pump fails, you will also notice a significant loss of oil pressure.

The high-pressure oil pump is responsible for generating enough required pressure to deliver into the engine so that your vehicle can run smoothly. 

Also, the filters located under the oil cooler are responsible for filtering oil that going into the HPOP. 

But when the oil pressure pump fails, the filters get clogged and cause the engine to fail.

An old or failing HPOP cannot generate the sufficient amount of oil pressure that is needed to run the vehicle. 

So, if you notice a significant loss of pressure, make sure to check the condition of your 7.3 high-pressure oil pump first.

3. Explosive Noise, Engine Runs & Idles Roughly:

If you ever hear unusual explosive noise coming from your vehicle, especially when you are about to turn at a stopping point, it can be due to the 7.3 high-pressure oil pump’s failing condition.  

Also, if you are getting low fuel pressure at idle or the engine is running and idling roughly, it can be a clear sign that your injectors are not in their best condition.

You may also notice that your vehicle’s engine has started to run rough after a hard throttle, and this can happen when the HPOP fails to work accurately as it supposes to.

4. Low Fuel Economy & Mileage:

There can be several reasons behind the fuel economy issue such as damaged or broken spark plugs, faulty fuel injectors, etc.

But after checking all other possible error areas, if the problem remains the same. 

Also, if you can still see a significant drop in the fuel mileage, the obvious reason will be the high oil pressure pump leak.

If all of a sudden you notice a loss of fuel economy or even see that your vehicle has started to respond poorly during acceleration, you need to check your high-pressure oil pump’s status immediately.

Therefore, whenever you see this symptom, you should confirm the issue by testing your 7.3 HPOP (high-pressure oil pump) and if needed, replace or rebuild it.

These are the most common and significant symptoms that will warn you about the declining condition of your 7.3 High-pressure oil pump.

What To Do With A 7.3 Powerstroke High Pressure Oil Pump?

After detecting any of the earlier mentioned signs of high-pressure oil pump issue, follow the below instructions-

Inspecting Your 7.3 High-pressure Oil Pump:

After encountering any sign of a faulty high-pressure oil pump, the first task is doing a thorough diagnostic inspection. 

You can inspect the HPOP condition by using the diagnostic scan tool. 

Hook the scan tool up to your vehicle’s OBD connector. 

Then, move to the datastream and find the datastream line which has the ICP mark on it. 

Now, make sure you have the reading in PSI and have someone else as your assistant to monitor the ICP data stream reading. 

Next, you need to turn on the freeway and quickly accelerate your vehicle 50 to at least 70 (increase furthermore if your speed limit allows that) at full throttle.

While you are accelerating the speed level at full throttle, the ICP data stream reading will constantly jump 2800 to 3000 PSI, and gradually, it will drop and stabilize in one particular PSI. 

When your ICP reading value finally stabilizes, see the reading. If it is near or maintaining 2800 PSI, it is in good condition. 

However, some old high-pressure oil pumps may maintain 2200 to 2600 PSI while stabilizing, which is also acceptable for old HPOP unless you want to upgrade it.

But remember 2800 PSI is the standard and 2200 PSI means you are almost near to the borderline. In case you see below that PSI, it means immediate HPOP upgrade, rebuild, or replacement is required.

Rebuilding Your 7.3 High-Pressure Oil Pump:

If your diagnosis indicates that the only culprit for your troubleshooting issues is the HPOP you currently have, you need to rebuild or upgrade it with a 7.3 high-pressure oil pump rebuild kit.

There are several HPOP rebuild kits available on the market.

These rebuild kits are like an entire package and contain from the HPOP fittings, drain plug O-rings, the IPR to the new set of serviceable plugs and check balls, everything that you need.

So, all you need to do is purchase the recommended kit and upgrade your HPOP into a new version.

Remember to secure your new fittings with the Loctite 680.

Removing & Replacing The 7.3 High-Pressure Oil Pump:

To replace your old HPOP with a new one, first, remove the existing one. 

Start by removing both battery ground cables and the black plastic engine cover. 

Then, to drain the fuel bowl, open the fuel bowl drain lever.  

You will see 3/16 inches Allen plug on the top of the reservoir so, disconnect and remove it.

After that, transfer existing oil out of your HPOP reservoir compartment with a manual hand fluid pump.

Next, you need to detach all four fuel lines from the fuel bowl and the fuel bowl heater connector. 

Then, pull off the fuel drain valve sleeve and remove the EBP sensor along with the EBP sensor tube.

Now, remove the fuel bowl and hoses. 

After that, detach the IPR electrical connector to remove IPR. 

Then, gradually remove your HPOP front cover access plate, drive gear bolt, and other two connecting bolts, which hold the connection between your HPOP and its front cover.

Finally, you have open and clear access to your HPOP so, remove the HPOP an insert the new one. 

Now, one by one, follow all the previous steps reversely to finish the reinstalment task.

Is Replacing the A 7.3 Powerstroke Oil Pump Typically Expensive?

The average cost for replacing an HPOP with a brand new one can be around $1,400 up to $2,000 maximum.  

However, the replacement cost including the labor cost can vary based on the location and damage level since if you need more parts replacement than usual, the charge will automatically increase.

How Often Should You Check or Service Your 7.3 Powerstroke Oil Pump?

You should stick with the maintenance guidance given in your user manual to prevent any major trouble. 

Also, remember to change your oil after each 3,000 to 5,000 miles operation of your vehicle. 

If you are changing the oil for the first time, do not forget to replace the filters as well for longer durability.  

Final Thoughts

Remember, all 7.3 Powerstroke high-pressure oil pumps are designed and build with such advanced technology, they will not fail or get damaged so easily and quickly. 

However, knowing about all the signs & symptoms of detecting the high-pressure oil pump failure will help you lessen the damages.

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