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Water in Starter

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Old May 12, 2012 | 08:14 PM
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Water in Starter

Well, truck sat within an inch of water coming in the doors stuck for 10 hours last weekend. Needless to say the starter got water in it. Is it saveable and if so how? I think just taking it apart and drying it off might do the trick, but im trying to make sure. It just heats up and locks up after excessive cranking and drips water. Thanks in advance guys
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 12:30 AM
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Where do you live where the water is that high?
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 12:35 AM
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Western washington.... I thought it was just a little puddle...used to hit it in a stock F250 on street tires. My truck sat in it for 10 hours, finally yanked it out at 3 am, and it took another idi to do it lol. Wish I could upload my pictures.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 02:24 AM
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lemonshindig
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Originally Posted by 86sixbanger
Western washington.... I thought it was just a little puddle...used to hit it in a stock F250 on street tires. My truck sat in it for 10 hours, finally yanked it out at 3 am, and it took another idi to do it lol. Wish I could upload my pictures.
Just a little puddle, huh?

That sounds like a monsoon, even for the west side.

If you just let it dry out completely, it should be fine. Cranking it while it's full of water might damage it.

-Matt
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 09:31 AM
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And pull the glow plugs before cranking it for the first time just incase any water was splashed into the intake over the course of its swimming career.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 84-6.9L
And pull the glow plugs before cranking it for the first time just incase any water was splashed into the intake over the course of its swimming career.
I've already ran it a bunch and drove it places. The water was well clear of the intake. Hahaha c'mon now a 4" lift and 36's aint all that big, the ruts were what made the truck sink so much, and it was only like 2.5 ft of water.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 09:30 PM
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Probably be wise to drain the differentials after sitting in water that deep.
The starter may or may not be good at this point. Take it apart and see what its like inside.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 09:42 PM
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if it was in that much water that long you better change all your fluids. both diffs, tranny, t case and an oil change. water has a habit of finding its way in places. youll probably want to bull the front hubs apart and regrease them, as well as grease the ball joints, tie rod ends and any servicable u joints to flush athe water from them
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 10:53 PM
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Been there, done that. Rear diff opened up, cleaned out, and refilled. T case has already been changed twice, and this time I've got WD 40 in it and the front diff to help clear out water. I checked the tranny and it's fine, plus I just drained and refilled it with synthetic fluid a little while ago. Even changed engine oil, too after only 3k to get rid of that damn stroke oil filter lol, and cause I had a bunch of free oil. Ball joints, some U joints, and tie rod ends are all new and have plenty of grease so little room for moisture.

What kind of device should I use to removed the fluid from the front diff?
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 04:20 PM
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Can't you just pull the cover? Thats what I'd do on my Dana 60, but I don't know what the Dana 44/50's are like?
 
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Old May 15, 2012 | 06:02 AM
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Staring it while it was still wet may have toasted the windings in it.
There's allot of amperage that goes through them, so you may have cut it's turning power in half.
I think you need a new one.
 
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Old May 15, 2012 | 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by hookedondiesel
Staring it while it was still wet may have toasted the windings in it.
There's allot of amperage that goes through them, so you may have cut it's turning power in half.
I think you need a new one.
I would not me surprised. "cutting it's turning power in half" describes it well I think...
 
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Old May 16, 2012 | 11:03 PM
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Well turns out the starter was pretty fubared. I took it apart, cleaned and greased it, hooked it to a battery, and, spinning freely, it felt pretty strong. Put it back on the truck and nothing.

I sure am happy with my new starter though! I got a mitsubishi with a lifetime warranty from autozone for 136 bucks! Let it be known that that is the place to go if anyone needs a starter, which I found out through searching this forum.
 
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