Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Big Problem- Won't Start

[cluckmaster]

Big Problem- hope someone has an idea or two. Last couple of weeks, my truck has been idling a little rough, wanting to stall if I don't keep a little fuel to it. Today, I was driving home from work and, pulling up to a stop light, it stalled. I coasted into the median, and started to crank on it, but I got a high screaming or whining sound and it sounded like the motor turned over really slowly twice. To get it going, I cranked on it and gave it a bunch of throttle, and it finally started to turn over faster and caught, blowing tons of black smoke. It ran incredibly rough as I pulled it into a parking lot, and tried to stall if I let off of the throttle or gave it too much. I was able to start it up the same way a couple of times, but after it stalled about the third time, it won't start back up. It doesn't whine anymore, but just cranks and cranks and blows some white smoke. Pulled intake boot off the turbo and the impellor was in good shape and turned easily, with no play in shaft. Replaced fuel lines and lift pump last summer, and the fuel heater was removed because it was leaking. Any ideads on what's going on? What are the symptoms of a bad injector pump? Thanks, and hope to hear from someone!





'97 4x4 2500 #8 plate/ straight piped/ 252k mi on truck/ 162k mi on motor/ auto/ lukes linked/ 35" MT Claws

 

[JPittinger]

Loosen an injector line. Are you actually getting fuel? Should squirt like crazy if its full, or foam if its sucking air.

 

[cluckmaster]

Cracked each injector line, one at a time, and they all squirted fuel when I cranked the motor. Checked the fuel shutoff solenoid, and it worked fine. It went up when we bumped the starter, and then stayed up, and went back down after I shut the key into the off position. Still blows white smoke when cranking. Still won't start. Could it be some type of timing problem?



'97 4x4 2500 #8 plate/ straight piped/ 252k mi on truck/ 162k mi on motor/ auto/ lukes linked/ 35" MT Claws

 

[moparguy]

The noise and slow cranking is distrubing. Any antifreeze smell from the white smoke? How do the oil and coolant look?



And yes, I'd say the timing could have slipped or some other pump issue could be the problem. Although, unless the timing has been changed lately, a sudden slipping of the gear on the pump shaft would be unlikely IMO.



Good luck, RR

 

[cluckmaster]

Well, the oil looks good (no water) and the coolant looks good (no oil). There's no noticable coolant smell to the smoke. The engine will crank normal, now. It just won't start. It was just the first couple of times after it initially stalled that it cranked really slow and I got that whining sound.



'97 4x4 2500 #8 plate/ straight piped/ 252k mi on truck/ 162k mi on motor/ auto/ lukes linked/ 35" MT Claws

 

[moparguy]

I'm one of those guys that always expects the worst and hopes for the best. That being said. Has the kdp been dealt with?



I'd pull the oil fill cap, have comeone crank and with hand over the fill tube, see if I had a lot of blow-by.



If that seemed normal, I'd remove the valve covers, check that all valves were working as they should.



I'd check the timing. If it's off a lot, time to pull the front cover and see how things look, and set the timing.



At some point, I might do a compression check.



Hopefully it'll be something easy and simple we're overlooking.



Good luck.



Edit, after re-reading your first post with the funny noise and slow crank, I think I'd do a compression check early on in the trouble shooting. A stuck piston could be the problem then, it freed up and now cranks ok, but low compression now keeps it from cranking. HOPE NOT.



I'm no mechanic, so don't get to alarmed at my ramblings.

 

[cluckmaster]

Ok... checked for blowby at the fill tube, and absolutely none. Trying to locate a diesel compression gauge and a timing kit so I can do some more diagnostics.



As far as the KDP... . embarassingly, no I haven't taken care of it yet... it's been on my list for a while.



'97 4x4 2500 #8 plate/ straight piped/ 252k mi on truck/ 162k mi on motor/ auto/ lukes linked/ 35" MT Claws

 

[cluckmaster]

Tried the link to the pics of the KDP damage and it was dead. What exactly are the symtoms if the KDP does fall out, barring taking the timing gear cover off?



'97 4x4 2500 #8 plate/ straight piped/ 252k mi on truck/ 162k mi on motor/ auto/ lukes linked/ 35" MT Claws

 

[crabman]

If you are 'lucky' it just cracks the front cover and a) falls to the bottom of cover missing everything or b) falls into the oil pan missing everything.

If you are "unlucky", get out your wallet, checkbook, plastic card, etc. =massive damage.

crabman

 

[cluckmaster]

Pulled the #1 and #2 valve covers, and there's around 1/4" to 3/8" valve gap. THe valves aren't closing all of the way. If the dowel pin goes, can it make the camshaft go out of time and make the pistons hit the valves and bend them? If this is the scenario, would it bend or break the camshaft as well? I think I'm going to cry.



'97 4x4 2500 #8 plate/ straight piped/ 252k mi on truck/ 162k mi on motor/ auto/ lukes linked/ 35" MT Claws

 

[SEmerson]

yes you can loose valve timing and bend valves. Pull the timing cover and look for broken pieces.



Yes cam may be broken