V10 explosion

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Feb 19, 2018 | 07:49 PM

Fritz M

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6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2018

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From: Wellington Ohio

V10 explosion

I received a '03 one-ton van with a V10 which the previous owner had given up on. He said it started hard in cold weather, and this last cold snap we had (approx. -10 deg.F) did it in. He said that it would roll over, firing on a couple cylinders for awhile, then a couple more, Then eventually run. However, it did not always start, because in brutally cold weather the battery would not always hold out for the entire starting procedure. In the summertime it did not do this. During the last starting ordeal, an explosion occurred and blew all the air inlet tubing off the top of the manifold,up to and including the mass air sensor. My question: Without being able to start the motor, how can I retrieve any codes, to get some clues as to what's been going on? Thanks, Fritz

Feb 19, 2018 | 07:56 PM

senix

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Frederick, MD

plug a reader in, then key on and read the codes. Don't need to start it for the code retrieval.

Feb 19, 2018 | 08:32 PM

99f350sd

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 9,303

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From: Lyndonville, Vermont

Might not be any codes...Check the plugs old plugs wont start... Clogged exhaust with ice.
Filled it with fuel and boom..no air possibly.

Feb 19, 2018 | 09:07 PM

Fefanatic

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2016

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Any chance that it was an accumulation of fuel or starting fluid residue that exploded? I don't know about a V10 in a E350 but I had one with a 7.3 and it was a pain in the rear to work on. I would suggest getting a flood light bulb and placing it under the oil pan and skirt the truck. Let it set overnight and see if it will start then. The temp in the motor should be warm enough to get it going.

Feb 20, 2018 | 07:58 AM

redford

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2000

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From: Stephensville WI

I would try to read codes before I did anything else. Turing the engine over might damage it, when it might be a simple and cheap fix.

Feb 20, 2018 | 10:25 AM

johnfist

More Turbo

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 587

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Post this over on the V10 forum, those guys know a lot. Definitely check the codes, do an overall inspection. Pull some plugs, look things over. Explosions usually make themselves apparent.