How to tell 03 or 04.5 Engine?

[TWenske]

I have heard that the good engine is the 03 to early 04, and am looking at buying a 04 but want the early engine. How do you tell? Is there a build date break or a number on the engine?



Thanks,

Tim

 

[JCasper]

Look on the valve cover drivers side.



An 03-04 will be a 305HP model.



An 04. 5 will be a 325HP model

 

[RVTRKN]

JCasper, don't forget about the Non HO engine for those years as well, sorry I don't know the HP though.



TWenske: The only bad issue the 04. 5 and newer had that I'm aware of had lift pump failures which has probably been fixed by now, and if the truck didn't have it done it is a great tool for negotiations to help in the price you pay. The 05. 5 up to 07, have the lift pumps in the tank now as well as the new 6. 7, and more than likely the 04. 5 has had it done. The 325/600 CTD is an awesome engine and has treated me well with 51K miles now. Yes the lift pump failed and was relaced with the new tank lift pump under warranty. If you can find a 04. 5 with out that being done and it was negotiated in your price, see if D/C will warranty it.

 

[JCasper]

Oops, there was like a 250HP or something in 03 wasn't there?



I have an 04. 5 with 74K on it with the factory lift pump still. It's only running at about 5-6psi but it does still work.

 

[RVTRKN]

Oops, there was like a 250HP or something in 03 wasn't there?



I have an 04. 5 with 74K on it with the factory lift pump still. It's only running at about 5-6psi but it does still work.

Warranty it, unless your over 100K, and when they replace it make sure you get the old tank pickup insert out of the tank, if you want to add a FASS system you will need the insert for it. I was lucky and mentioned to my mechanic that I was thinking about FASS for my truck, so he kepted it and gave it back to me.

 

[MEGATRK]

Oops, there was like a 250HP or something in 03 wasn't there?



The 250HP motor for 03 was the California motor. I had an 03 i'm from Michigan it was 305HP

 

[JCasper]

Warranty it, unless your over 100K, and when they replace it make sure you get the old tank pickup insert out of the tank, if you want to add a FASS system you will need the insert for it. I was lucky and mentioned to my mechanic that I was thinking about FASS for my truck, so he kepted it and gave it back to me.

It still works. Why would they warranty it?

 

[RVTRKN]

It still works. Why would they warranty it?

Complain about it and they will take care of it free. It would be better to have it replaced per my mechanic because of the heat & vibrations per the location of the old pump. There is a TSB which they will perform if requested. I would think you would want it replaced because it is a weak pump, and better they pay for it, then you.

 

[Bekim]

Complain about it and they will take care of it free. It would be better to have it replaced per my mechanic because of the heat & vibrations per the location of the old pump. There is a TSB which they will perform if requested. I would think you would want it replaced because it is a weak pump, and better they pay for it, then you.

I wouldn't be too hopeful that they will fix it because it might fail. They don't even have a TSB about this particular issue. I do agree that it's a matter of when, not if it Will fail!
Mike
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[JohnCooper]

... The 250HP motor for 03 was the California motor...

The '03 California motor is a 235HP. Just went outside and checked.

 

[Cattletrkr]

JCasper, don't forget about the Non HO engine for those years as well, sorry I don't know the HP though.

If it's an '04. 5 it will be 325hp iirc. Anything else is older. '04. 5's were supposed to have 50 state emissions, CA included.

 

[RVTRKN]

The '03 California motor is a 235HP. Just went outside and checked.

That CTD was also mandatory in California in early 04 so there are three CTD engines for 04, That is the reason I waited to purchase my 04. 5, due to the HO being available in California late in the model year production. I was rewarded for waiting, because to my surprize and my salesman, D/C introduced the 325/600 engine. Even the manual I bought, for more money than I care to admit to, did not have that engine in the manual.

 

[TWenske]

Thanks for the input guys!

Tim

 

[daytripper63]

The 03 and early 04 get better fuel mileage due to less injection events