Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Worst case with starting fluid

[DDouglas]

I had a guy tow his 2000 2500 CTD to my shop and said they had been trying to get it to start for a few days with no luck , I didnt ask what all they did I just checked the basics, the transfer pump had failed and wasnt getting fuel to the filter, so I replaced it and bled the injectors it fired right up,but was smoking white, I pulled it out side the shop and thought I had better check the oil. before I take it for a test drive thats when everything went down hill, there was antifreeze in the oil, I called them and asked what exactly did they do to try to get it to start, then the bad got worst , they had tried to fill the filter with thinner, and that didnt work (go figure) then they started to dump starting fluid into the turbo, a full can . They said they only heard a pop some rattling and a small fire. the part that gets me is it says right on the air box DO NOT USE STARTING FLUID . But I guess that was not good enough. I know the head is shot the dead give away is the antifreeze oozing out of a crack on the back of the head. but I have never had anyone bring me one like this before, I wonder what all it could damage if it cracked a head. I told him to look for a used engine but I wonder if there is any hope of saving this one, it is sad the truck only had 102,xxx miles and has never had a gooseneck hitch or 5th wheel in it. the man told me the heaviest thing it had ever pulled was his 18 foot ski boat and had never been chipped or anything ,totaly stock. any one else seen this before , the use of starting fluid ?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'd bet decent money the truck is just fine...



once the fix the head gasket or whatever the original problem was

 

[icman95]

Do you suppose that the head problem was the cause of the no start to begin with and that the starting fluid didn't cause it, but might be taking the blame? Further, if you were to just fix the upper parts, does the antifreeze in the crankcase make the bearings useless? Might depend upon how long it was in there. Too bad the boneheads that brought it to you probably wouldn't know.



I've used starting fluid to crank over diesels plenty of time... just not mine. I've used it on busses and a few other commercial vehicles, all which said not to. Just have to use it sparingly. I would use it on mine if necessary, but haven't had to yet. Can't wait to hear the end of this one. I'd love to be there to see the look on the customer's face.

 

[MarkMiller]

If the head is cracked there was some serious force behind it to get it to crack. No. 5 and 6 piston and rod ought to be checked. That aluminum piston doesn't like compressing water. If he is near me I will make him a good offer on the truck remains.

 

[JLEONARD]

I've also used starting fluid many times on other diesels but not on one with an intake toaster.

I'll bet on just the gasket as well.

Change the oil a couple of times and the lower end bearings should be ok as long as it wasn't run too much.

 

[DDouglas]

I just dont understand how the head would crack and not the the alum. manifold, the heater grid should have set the starting fluid off before the getting that far into the head, but once again I am only getting the story of what the owner said he saw the other mechanic do. and what about the intercooler?, he owner said that one guy was spraying while another was hitting the starter. Oh and I also found out the reason for the no start was the owner took it to the so called mechanic for a fuel filter and an oil change. so my guess is that the injection pump had still been pulling fuel until they opened the filter housing, with the transfer pump dead they could not get fuel back to the canister. I am at a holding pattern until I get the ok to yank the engine or remove the head. If I wasnt so busy with other trucks I think I would go ahead and tear into it anyway. just to see what all is bad.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

The heater grid did not necessarily set off the ether.

Godspeed,
Trent