I have a 2008 6.4 with about 120k miles.

I had a coolant leak that I just could never find. But I would be down about 1 gallon every fill up. Ford looked at it and said I need a new radiator, reservoir, t-stat, and upgrade to double o-ring tubes... $2800! A local mechanic suggested that I not buy another troubled Ford radiator and I could stay on top of the leak, wait for a new after market upgrade, soon to be out.

Shortly after, while on a camping trip, my truck was smoking a little bit of white smoke at certain times. Everyone else on the trip with us said I blew my egr cooler(s). I was told that I could limp it home as long as I kept the coolant/water levers up, and replace them myself at home. On the way home the white smoke was abundant. I was able to limp it with in the 300 mile AAA towing distance.

I replaced both vertical and horizontal egr coolers with new bullet proof units. The R&R was not as bad as I expected. About 6 hours. However...
When removed the dipstick, some oil came out. I thought it odd. I went to drain the oil and there was about a quart to quart and a half of water that came out before the oil. I immediately thought that I blew a head gasket. But a friend of mine asked, is it possible, that since the egr cooler went, that I could have sucked a little water back up and into the intake? I changed the oil, and the filter was in really bad shape, but replaced. I went to start the truck but it wont turn over. Just clicks.

A local mechanic told me over the phone, it just might be a starter sensor that needs to be reset so that I wouldn't try and start the truck. Also that the timing cover gasket can fail and thats where the water is from. I cant find any info on some thing like this. Does water in the oil only mean head gasket? or could it have been sucked up through the egr cooler? is there a starter motor "reset"?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

 

Hmmm I am thinking hydo locked. The water in the oil was probably due to the Coolers. I would not be suprised if #8 has a bent rod.

 

As senix said it sounds hydro-locked. Id say the next step is to start pullin the glow plugs if its hydro-ed.

 

Ok. Then that appears to be my next step. What about the starter "reset"? Does it exist?

 

never heard of it...with the except of blowing a fuse in the power distribution box.

I would not crank it till you have a better look at it.

 

would the water have drained through any rings by now? it sat for almost 2 weeks...

 

It certainly would and therefore maybe you would be able to start it if you find a fuse in the main power box.

don't have my stuff here to see if there is one in the power dist. box.

However I would not attempt this myself without have a further look. I'd pull the glow plug at #8.