I managed to swipe up a 1999 Ford F-250 7.3 power stroke diesel with 186k on the odometer. Seller stated the turbo, injectors, and oil pump have been replaced shortly before parked.

Heres where it gets good. The truck started spewing out white smoke....back in 2013 and he parked it until I came along. Checked the coolant and oil level, all within normal range and appear to be good.

I have yet to start this truck (had it towed from the sellers property back to my fathers shop)

Given the fact this poor creature hasn't cranked over in over 7 years im genuinely concerned about even trying to.

I can think of a few things that should be done such as a fresh oil change, oil filter, fuel filter, dropping/ draining out the old fuel in her, coolant flush, and fresh batteries

After that I was going to attempt for to start her

Given the time she has sat im probably going to sit and ponder my life choices

Now, with all smartness aside I need to think of what I dive into first and create a checklist of systems I should diag and test to find the root cause of the white smoke he claims it has

Also, what else should I check and replace given it has sat for so long.

 

Very important among the list of things to check
Glow plugs and glow plug relay. Considering the glow plugs come on with every start under a certain temp worth replacing and same for the relay. which sets on top of rear of engine. While you are looking for work,,,,,,,,,,,,look closely at the oil pan of the engine . There was a rust problem with them and you could lose the oil.

 

Thank you very much. when I get home ill look through it. I have been recommended by a few others to check to see of the engine will turn over by using a bar and a socket, check the fuel for water, transmission fluid, and of course the regular PM work (oil change, fuel filter change, and a transmission flush if the fluid still looks good. Whats your take on checking the rear differential fluid also?

 

Glow plugs and white smoke go hand in hand. There is one part you should keep with you at all times and that is a spare cam position sensor. When they go bad you will have an intermittent engine die and no start. However it is a 5 minute replacement that you can easily do. IH has them under the 444 parts, usually cheaper than Ford. Just cross reference the part number.

 

All the work you do now , hopefully you won't have to do it later.
Maybe you mean just change the trans fluid and filter, that would be fine, just make sure you use the recommended fluids as listed in the owner's manual.
A trans flush is not recommended with the mileage shown.
Just take your time and do one at a time and you should be OK.
Suggest you keep a record of all maintenance done to always help to know when something is due for service.

 

fantastic! I will certainly do that!

Correct me if im wrong but after 100-115k it is recommended to do a transmission fluid change.

Ive heard conflicting advice from others. some say to never change the transmission fluid whereas others do

 

also, I see you are a senior member on here. Nice to know I have some old timers in my corner.

What are causes of white smoke? it that water that gives that color or is it something else?

 

Yes , have had
a few trips around the sun !
White smoke on cold start up is normal.
It should diminish as the engine warms up.. If it does not ,then keep an eye on the engine coolant level. If it keeps going down without any noticeable leaks, you might use a cooling system pressure tester to encourage the leak to show itself.
If the system will not hold the pressure , might be leaking internally.