Well I'm not sure, maybe once. Is it possible it is seized and that sound is the starter unable to turn the flywheel? When I charged the batteries I didn't get them in for another 24 hours after taking them off the charger. However I did not load test them.

Thanks again

 

Elaborate on "tried to start". Did the engine actually turn, even once or twice, before you got the clicking?

Have you taken two minutes yet to put a SOCKET and BREAKER on the crank pulley to see if the crank will turn?

 

If when you put a socket on it make sure it turns a full 360*

 

IT STARTED. I can't believe it but it did. Here's what went down:
I started the night by changing the oil and filter because it was about due. It was rather low on oil but not out. The oil was rather black and smelled like burnt..something. Anyway, I then put a breaker bar on the crank shaft and turned it 360 degrees (with some difficulty) Which prompted me to try and start it again. I got in and turned the key and the batteries barely had enough juice to power the lights, let alone turn the starter.
I though this was weird considering I only tried to start it once since taking the batteries off the charger.
I decided to jump it and when I did so it started. I only let it run for about 2 seconds as the belt and alternator were out and I didn't want to hurt anything. It ran a little rough and smoked some (I'm not sure where the smoke came from as it's dark). The running rough may be due to the fact that the truck has been sitting in winter weather for about a week.

Anyway that's my miracle story. I thought for sure it was seized when I drained the oil and saw it only had about 5 qts. But apparently not yet?

Thanks for everyone's input, any advice on the smoke and next steps to check the cause of death/lack of battery power are appreciated.

 

How old are your batteries? And what kind of charger are you using? A trickle charger will top off and maintain a charge on a good battery, but is far to small to actually charge a dead battery.

Until you can actually evaluate the amount and color of the smoke, I would chock it up to normal cold weather starting.

Also, its not really a problem to run without the alternator for short periods of time. Obviously the batteries won't charge, however, if you don't have the lights or other accessories running, the engine will run for quite some time before the battery will run down. If you're running a serpentine belt, then the water pump won't be running either. If the engine is cold, you'd still be fine for a few minutes before the coolant gets heated.

 

my take is you have either a bad alternator(i doubt it since you had it tested as good)
a bad battery charger, or bad batteries.
my money is on bad batteries.
charge them for at least 24 hours on a 2 amp charge, then let them sit for at least 12 hours and load test them.

 

The PO said he just replaced the batteries before I bought them (no guarantees there). If so they are at least 2 years old as that's how long I've had the truck. I think I'll take the batteries in and have them tested at Napa or somewhere.

Is it possible the motor is "half seized" and therefore the pistons may be gripping the cylinder walls causing rough idle?

Thanks again all I really appreciate your help.

 

no. if it started there is most likely nothing wrong with it.

 

Gotcha. Well I got everything put back together and started it up. Has a bit of greyish smoke coming out of the tail pipe and a lot of rough idling. I'm wondering if this has something to do with water in the fuel system? I heard that water in the fuel can cause surging and it often would surge when I was low on fuel or right after I would fill up. How would I go about checking this? I know there's a fuel/water separator but in the two years I've owned it I haven't touched it. Thoughts?

Thanks

 

How long was it running and did the smoke clear up after the engine had warmed up?

There should be a drain on the bottom of the fuel filter. Put a container under it and collect the fluid that comes out. If there was any water in your diesel, it should settle out in the filter and collect at the bottom. If you're not sure, pour it into a clear jar and see if there are two distinct layers.

 

I let it run for maybe 30 seconds. I kept light pressure on the throttle and it kept almost wanting to die. The smoke didn't clear up but it wasn't that thick and didn't smell as bad as it did yesterday.

If there's water in the system, will the injectors be blown? Or are they fine?

Thanks again all

 

the only thing water will do is make it run like crap, or die when it freezes and blocks off the fuel lines.

 

30 seconds doesn't really tell you much at all. Not knowing where you're located, I can only guess what the weather is like. I'm in Massachusetts and I know when I started my 88 the other day it was smoking for longer than 30 seconds before it cleared up. A cold engine won't burn efficiently therefore smokes for a while. Newer trucks have fancy emissions controls so they won't do that, but not these old workhorses.

You need to actually RUN the engine and see what happens. Make sure there is enough fuel in the tank and go for a ride. If your worried it will die right off, warm it up in your driveway, then just go around the neighborhood for a few laps.

 

I'm up in Washington, not terrible weather but it gets pretty cold at night. I have done some pretty cold starts with this truck but this one's different, it is idling VERY rough compared to my starts in much colder weather. I'm planning on buying a fuel filter and some fuel additive/water remover today from Napa.

I'll try to make a run around town in it today if possible and see what happens.

Thanks again

 

Okay so I've replaced the filter, put in the fuel additive, and bled the valve when it was put back together. Absolutely NO CHANGE. I'm stumped, it must be something bigger. Or something smaller that I haven't thought of. I'm thinking of hauling it into the Diesel Specialist shop this week..

I've really appreciated all of the replies and insight. Anything else welcome of course! I'll keep y'all posted.