Truck won't start
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From: Vancouver, Canada
Truck won't start
My 76 F250 with 460 has been sitting in the heavy rain for over a month. Last time I got to the truck there were animals standing in pairs everywhere. I get the impression they see the bed as a potential Noah's Arc.
Can't start the bloody thing! Have sprayed with ignition drying fluid and used ether to help but the engine compartment is soaking wet (little pools of water on the engine). I killed the battery once and had to take it off island to recharge (no other vehicles or electricity is available.)
What do you gentlemen recommend I dry out before I try again. I can use a Benzo torch (very carefully) to drive off some of the moisture. The distributor is the obvious place to start (hasn't worked so far) but are there other places to dry out that you could recommend? Thanks everyone!
Can't start the bloody thing! Have sprayed with ignition drying fluid and used ether to help but the engine compartment is soaking wet (little pools of water on the engine). I killed the battery once and had to take it off island to recharge (no other vehicles or electricity is available.)
What do you gentlemen recommend I dry out before I try again. I can use a Benzo torch (very carefully) to drive off some of the moisture. The distributor is the obvious place to start (hasn't worked so far) but are there other places to dry out that you could recommend? Thanks everyone!
Last edited by Mr. Fixit; Jan 11, 2006 at 12:09 PM.
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From: lancaster ohio
i take it that its turning over? seeing how you killed the battery. check to see if you are getting a good spark. and that you are getting fuel first you may have water in your carb as well. tell us more please...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
i would remove the spark plugs and turn over the engine a few times without any plugs in it,thenput them back in.then i would dry out the distributor cap totally,even the plug wire tower connections,rotor,etc.(wipe it all down with a lint free towel).i would make sure the carb isnt full of water too.put some methol hydrate in the fuel tank ,to disipate any moisture in the fuel.after all that,then try to start it .make sure you have spark,and fuel getting to the cylinders.-hope this helps
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You didn't mention if the engine even tried to fire 
That's important to know.
Are you getting spark anywhere...... Cap,wires,plugs?
A great drying tool is a hairdryer.
No need to dry anything other than inside the distributor cap.
That's important to know.
Are you getting spark anywhere...... Cap,wires,plugs?
A great drying tool is a hairdryer.
No need to dry anything other than inside the distributor cap.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
Thank you to all, she does 'try to start' which I take as OK spark and fuel, at last attempt she actually lumped along for about 5 to 10 seconds and then quit. I'll follow the advice given - there may be water in the carb as the lid on the aircleaner lost its seal long ago. One thing I forgot to do this fall was put methyl hydrate in the tanks - just getting older and more forgetful. Will report back when successful!
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From: Vancouver, Canada
Success! Had another try at starting the old girl yesterday: sprayed the plug wires with "ignition dryer", cleaned the dist cap & rotor, got a boost from a friend and squirted in some "Quick Start" ether. On the second attempt of about 15 seconds cranking, she started up beautifully and ran like a well tuned Ferrari. The big change was the humidity - which was down to about 80 - 90% for the last few days. Removed about a pint of water from the cab - the headlining was actually dripping.
Oh yes, one final point - the starter solenoid was smoking - cleaned the contacts but better get a new one just in case.
All's well that ends well....thanks for the tips gentlemen!
Oh yes, one final point - the starter solenoid was smoking - cleaned the contacts but better get a new one just in case.
All's well that ends well....thanks for the tips gentlemen!
Last edited by Mr. Fixit; Feb 20, 2006 at 10:58 AM.
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Posting Legend
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Why are you getting so much water under the hood? Even in a downpour it should be relatively dry under there.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
Torque1st. The problem seems to be 'condensation'. Up here in the Pacific Northwest we go through a supercharged rainy January every year (we had a record rainfall this year). The truck sits in a gravel parking lot in the shade of tall trees. When the temp drops in the evening, the underside of the hood/headlining in the cab become saturated with water. This water drips down on the engine - the little well where the distributor sits fills up with water - the cover on the airfilter holds water too. If I use the truck at least once every 5 days, its OK but if the truck sits longer, its a hard start.
I once asked if I should insulate the underside of the hood, but several FTE guys said it was a waste of time in my case.
I once asked if I should insulate the underside of the hood, but several FTE guys said it was a waste of time in my case.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by Mr. Fixit
Torque1st. The problem seems to be 'condensation'. Up here in the Pacific Northwest we go through a supercharged rainy January every year (we had a record rainfall this year). The truck sits in a gravel parking lot in the shade of tall trees. When the temp drops in the evening, the underside of the hood/headlining in the cab become saturated with water. This water drips down on the engine - the little well where the distributor sits fills up with water - the cover on the airfilter holds water too. If I use the truck at least once every 5 days, its OK but if the truck sits longer, its a hard start.
I once asked if I should insulate the underside of the hood, but several FTE guys said it was a waste of time in my case.
I once asked if I should insulate the underside of the hood, but several FTE guys said it was a waste of time in my case.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
LxMan1 I've never seen a distributor 'boot' on a civilian vehicle, only on military applications. Thanks, I'll look around for this Mustang cover, sounds very useful.
Also had the idea to attach a piece of sheet metal to the underside of the hood (about 30 inches square) so that the condensed water would run off to the sides and not drip on the motor.
hotroddually - nice to know there's yet another FTE guy in the lower mainland. Cheers!
Also had the idea to attach a piece of sheet metal to the underside of the hood (about 30 inches square) so that the condensed water would run off to the sides and not drip on the motor.
hotroddually - nice to know there's yet another FTE guy in the lower mainland. Cheers!