Diesel Puzzle

[Deleted member 33033]

Gotta 2005 diesel Excursion (6.0 Turbo Pwerstroke) that doesn't wanna turn over after it rains. A day later, no problem. Been to six shops, am on my 3rd alternator (happens three days after installation in the last rain storm) and two new batteries. I've tried everything that makes sense...anyone ever hear of such a thing? Any ideas or recommendations for dealing with this puzzling dilemma?

 

[solus]

could be a few things. A bad turbo, or bad glow plugs even a bad preglow plug its hard to tell without actually looking at it. changing the battery or alternator isnt going to fix the problem.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Plug and preglow are fine (spent two grand on repairs in the last month)...how would the turbo cause it to not turn over? I've researched the issues with the center piece wearing out and the engine not transferring power because the switch section become worn but how would that adversely impact starting the engine in wet weather? Not a problem when it's dry. Weird right? And no, the car doesn't for long periods undriven. 2-3 days at most.

 

[solus]

have you had someone test the starter? In colder conditions diesel have a harder time to start. It can range from a bad vacuum hose to a bad switch. I think you should take it to a diesel mechanic not a regular mechanic. There is a difference and you will just be wasting more money sending it to a regular mechanic. There is also a sensor that turns your preglow plug on and off. Sorry Im trying to remember how I fixed the old diesel I had but its been over 5 years since I sold it. As for the turbo causing problems. well if there is a vacuum hose on it like there was on my old mercedez diesel it wont send the correct signal to the computer for the air/fuel mixture. Have they plugged the computer onto it to see if there is a code that is coming up?

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I have always taken it to a diesel mech (obviously) and replaced the starter already. If it was the starter it would always be a problem, not just in wet weather. Now here's an interesting thing that just happened. I read that you should stick a tennis ball in the exhaust pipe when storing the car for any period of time to prevent poisture from collecting and rusting the turbo. So last night I stretched a balloon across the tailpipe before it rained and this morning, after being rained on for hours it turned right over. Coincidence?

 

[tony270]

That’s a tough one, the preheating system is most likely the issue, moisture or condensation in the intake or emission recycling system should be overcome by the preheating system. A byproduct of the internal combustion engine is h2o so rust in and on exhaust components is normal. Now day’s modern diesel engines have so many preheating systems it is hard to pinpoint the issue without physically inspecting the vehicle, preheating manifold, turbo, glow plugs, barometric pressure sensor, and so forth. If you let a good mechanic drive the vehicle he shouild be able to pin point the issue but that might cost you a bunch so keep trying the glove.

 

[700x4me]

Gotta 2005 diesel Excursion (6.0 Turbo Pwerstroke) that doesn't wanna turn over after it rains. A day later, no problem. Been to six shops, am on my 3rd alternator (happens three days after installation in the last rain storm) and two new batteries. I've tried everything that makes sense...anyone ever hear of such a thing? Any ideas or recommendations for dealing with this puzzling dilemma?

Do you mean it won't crank or it will crank but won't start?

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Do you mean it won't crank or it will crank but won't start?

Yeah...and guess why? Apparently the anti-theft feature ON THE KEY sometimes fail and prevent the car from starting believing it is being stolen!!! My wife was sharing the story with a neighboring businessman who has experienced the same problem. Can you believe that? All that money pissed away for nothing. I'm so pissed!!!

 

[BelchFire]

Is the key affected by the rain? What's rain got to do with the anti-theft stuff?

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Haven't figured that out yet. I am assuming it is a sensor thing buit my wife was a little short on facts when she called.

 

[700x4me]

Yeah...and guess why? Apparently the anti-theft feature ON THE KEY sometimes fail and prevent the car from starting believing it is being stolen!!! My wife was sharing the story with a neighboring businessman who has experienced the same problem. Can you believe that? All that money pissed away for nothing. I'm so pissed!!!

I would think if it is weather related, the problem is in the vehicle electronics & not the electronics in the key.

 

[solus]

I wouldnt stick anything in a tail pipe what if you cant get it out. With that being said I didnt think you had a chipped key. Yes that could be a problem IF it has one. If its not the key I still think its a preglow problem. Just because they changed them out doesnt mean it works. I changed out 3 thermostats, head gasket, got the heads redone, 4 flushes, a radiator and a water pump on my jeep and got frustrated and sent it out to get flushed and a new thermostat installed and guess what it was... Damn new thermostat got stuck open and was allowing the radiator fluid cool down before enter back into the block. Thats just an example of how new parts doesnt necessarily mean they work properly

 

[Deleted member 33033]

The $150.00 key is chipped and next time it occurs we should notice a tiny red light showing a security threat. Gotta wait for it to happen again.

 

[BelchFire]

Well then, that could be a while, because we all know it never rains in southern California! (Thanks, Albert Hammond!)