I know this has been asked hundreds of times, but no answers have solved my problem. So I have to as again.

Wont start. brand new starter. started up just fine for about 6 monthes.

A mechanic said that the starter could have a little bit of moisture in it.

truth be told, I was in water up to above my wheel wells.

If it is water, can I just take it off and dry it out?

 

How fast is it turning over,should be close to 200rpm on the starter.As for drying it out,like you said,your not getting it wet.If you take it apart to dry it you might find something bad in it,you may as well get it tested before you take it apart.If its only 6 months old there should be some warranty remaining.

 

unfortunatly if something bad has happened to it and the cause is water or mud warranty is void. What is the starter doing(sounds or anything).

 

Have you checked the tanks for water?
If you were in over your wheel wells then the vent lines for the tanks were under as well. If it ran for any length of time that deep it probably sucked water in the tank.
You may be in for a tank drain as well as water seperator and fuel filter replacement.

Thinking for a bit more, if you ran it very long before you were in water that deep, the tank was very warm, when you went in the cool or cold water the temp drop sucked a lot of water in the tank through the vent line.

If you drove a couple of hours before you went in the water, you should check for water in the differentials, tranny and transfer case as well.
All those vent lines were under water long before the wheel wells were under.

Had a bunch of 4 wheel boys from here in town drove two hours on the interstate to go 4 wheelin with some friends in the mountains. The boys from the mountains never had any problems. 75% of the guys from here in town would not make it home before they were losing wheel bearings and differential bearings. They finally figured out the drive line was hot when they were fording streams up there and it was cold water. Cold water hit the hot differentials and cooled them of fast, sucked them full of water, then they lost bearings. Everyone ran the vent lines up in the engine compartments. No more problems after that.

 

If you pull the starter, disassemble, clean, replace any questionalbe parts, reassemble using di-electric grease and that should help if water is the problem. I think Ford uses 2 different make starters on this truck; one a Delco and one an import. If so, you may try a different starter than the one you have, and also check the relay upstairs. If you can bypass the relay and start it then you likely have found the critter responsible for you troubles.

You should have the starter load tested, on the truck and on the bench. Also if shims are used (but I think not) you may have the wrong clearances.

Are both batteries in good shape? Lay your hand on the side of each, if either feel hot to the touch then replace it as it is shorted internally. Never mind that the "eye" is green, that is only the electrolite level. Are the batteries "right" for the application? If not then get some that are. I'm partial to marine batteries for the deep cycle and long discharge rates, and Sears sells them.

Your starter has a big job to do on a cold or hot diesel start up. Check the cables. They MUST be in good shape to do the job. Low voltage will fry starters. That comes from bad cables, bad batteries, bad cable ends. If you replace cable ends, use good quality lead ends, and soldier them on.

David

 

Another thing, if you were in water that deep check your axles for water in the oil. I know that it is unrelated but can cost quite a few bucks(bin there).

 

No, I put breathers on my axles and tranny. Also, I drained the fuel bowl to get water out. The batteries are the right ones for my truck, and their made by Interstate. It is not turning over-sorry, I forgot to say that. It clicks once and then nothing. She runs fine, but to get her going I have to leave the truck on a hill and then release the Parking brake and let it role, then let out the clutch to get it to start (popping the clutch). If I try to start it about 10 times, then leave, return 45 mins later and itll fire right up, or almost right away. I think that I'm going to drain the fuel bowl.

 

Try checking all of your electrical connections to the starter. Grounds too. Take them apart, clean them and have at it. I wonder if you got so deep in the water, that you got your power connection on the firewall wet. Get back to us.

 

its going to be ah while, cause im going out of town...but i will eventually.

 

Your starter solenoid may need to be replaced (the one mounted to the starter). I have had many solenoids that would not work when hot, or even vice-versa.

Try whacking it with a hammer while someone holds the key to "crank."

 

The first thing i would TRY Doing is running a hot wire from the + side of your battery to your solenoid on your injector pump

 

Have someone else turn the key, see which solenoid is clicking.
You can jump across the one on the fender well that triggers the one on the starter. It could be either solenoid is acting up.

Almost sounds like some corrosion on one of the battery connections down below or the solenoid on the starter.
I did not understand it was not cranking when I made my last post.